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Welcome to the best coastal walks in Hampshire. These Hampshire coastal walks make for a great day out, and are brilliant for some cheap entertainment too.
Whether you’re looking for dog walks in Hampshire, circular walks in Hampshire or just the best coastal Hampshire walks, then I’ve been and done all of these so let me know if you have any questions at all.
The Best Coastal Walks in Hampshire
Check out this list for the best walks in Hampshire along the coast.
1. Walk Farlington Marshes
Going round Farlington Marshes is one of the best circular walks in Hampshire. It’ll take you less than two hours and you can see all kinds of birds, and great views over to Portsmouth.
I’ve written a guide to the essentials you need to know before you walk round Farlington Marshes, so I won’t go into it here.
Basically, it’s a really great easy breezy walk that’s flat and straightforward and you’ll see cows too. Plenty of parking nearby too.
Dogs aren’t allowed on this Hampshire walk, so you’re free to wander without the threat of dog poo – yay!
2. Walking the Southsea Coast
Walking along the Southsea Coast is definitely one of my favourite Hampshire walks. You can start and finish where you like, but you can’t really go wrong because you can just follow the sea.
If you are wondering where to start I’d suggest Southsea Marina – free parking and a pretty beginning. Then you can wander along the south coast, all the way to Old Portsmouth. It is about five miles away but there are plenty of great things to see along the way.
Enjoy Southsea Pier, Clarence Pier, the D-Day Story Museum, and some incredible views to the Isle of Wight. I just like watching the boats and hovercrafts coming in to be honest. And if you can’t be bothered to walk back – Ubers are cheap here!
3. Thorney Island Walk
Technically Thorney Island can’t actually be classified as a ‘Hampshire walk’ seeing as it’s in West Sussex, but it’s close enough, and I’ve written a guide to the Thorney Island Walk here so I want to include it.
Basically Thorney Island is MOD property and so you can only walk round the edge, and you need to be beeped in. TBH it all adds to the excitement.
Check out my article on walking Thorney Island to see what to expect from the walk.
I even made a video too. Check it out below…
4. Walk up Portsdown Hill
Take a walk up Portsdown Hill and you’ll get fantastic views over the Hampshire coast, rather than actually walking on the Hampshire Coast.
You can park at the bottom and walk up pretty easily. There are different options depending on whether you want to walk steep and short, or a more leisurely walk up a lesser gradient.
5. Walk round Hayling Island
Hayling Island is often described as ‘stuck in its ways’ or I’ve even read ‘a land time forgot’ – I think that’s a little harsh. But it’s definitely the opposite of a bustling metropolis, and perfect for anyone looking for a charming seaside to walk along.
One of the best Hampshire walks you can do is to park up your car near Inn on the Beach, and then go anti clockwise as far as you can. You’ll see some stunning views out to Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight from Hayling Island if you walk the coast. Check out this GPS route for the Hayling Island walking route.
6. Walk from Milford on Sea to Barton on Sea
The walk from Milford on Sea to Barton on Sea is absolutely, definitely one of the best walks in Hampshire. The coast off the New Forest is just stunning.
It’s easy to do the walk, just park up at one end and walk to the other along the coastal path. The trouble comes in how to get back again, unless you just turn round and walk the hour or so of course.
You can walk the Hampshire coast from Milford on Sea to Barton on Sea by beach path, or up on the cliff top. Do it on a sunny day to enjoy those clear views over to the Isle of Wight.
7. Langstone Harbour
The area of ‘Langstone Harbour’ encapsulates quite a bit of the coast to the east of Hampshire. There’s a lot of activity here – from fishing boats, dinghies, watersports, jet skiing and canoeing.
Langstone Harbour is one of my favourite places to go paddleboarding in Hampshire, as you’re sheltered from the worst of the wind – depending on which way it’s coming in.
“Langstone Harbour is a 2,085.4-hectare (5,153-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Hampshire. It is an inlet of the English Channel in Hampshire, sandwiched between Portsea Island to the south and west, Hayling Island to the south and east, and Langstone to the north.”
– WIKIPEDIA
Walking around Langstone Harbour is one of my favourite Hampshire walks as you can see for so far, and the murkier the weather, the more interesting the views are.
It’s a certified special area for wildlife here and you can see a whole host on the 14-mile Langstone Harbour Waterside Walk. Start from Ferry Point Eastney, walk around the whole loop of Langstone Harbour, and use the ferry to return.
Or, just pick up wherever you feel like along the route and wander till you can’t anymore. There are a few car parks along the way too.
More coastal Hampshire walks to do
- Portchester Harbour Wicor
- Hill Head Beach
- Chichester Beach
- Queen Elizabeth Country Park
- Royal Victoria Country Park in Netley
- River Hamble Country Park on the Hamble River
- Lepe at Exbury
- Calshot Beach to Lepe
- Stokes Bay Alverstoke
