Mottistone Down, the Long Stone and Mottistone Common

From the National Trust car park by Mottistone Gardens the walk climbs a sunken path to the Long Stone, a Neolithic sandstone pillar and one of the oldest monuments on the island. Paths and Strawberry Lane lead east to the restored lime kiln, then a track climbs on to Mottistone Down, where Bronze Age barrows lie along the top and Harborough Barrow marks the summit. The way runs west along the heathery top of the down and the common, with views over the estate to the sea, and a path drops through the wood to the car park.

It is 6.6 km round with 212 m of ascent; allow about 2¼ hours. The grade is Easy. About a fifth is on lanes. The National Trust rates its own Mottistone Common walk, which covers the same ground, as Moderate for some very steep paths.

The chalk tracks are slippery when wet and the steep paths can be muddy; watch for tree roots and overhanging branches, and for traffic on the tarmac lanes. The National Trust asks for dogs to be kept on a lead around wildlife and livestock, and ground-nesting nightjars use the common in summer.

The car park next to the gardens is a free National Trust car park. The toilets are inside the gardens, which charge admission. Southern Vectis route 12 from Newport to Totland stops at Mottistone, usually every two hours. There is no station near; the nearest is Lymington Pier, about 14 km away across the Solent.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.