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The Needles – The Needles loop from Alum Bay

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

The Needles – The Needles loop from Alum Bay

Easy

4.3

(20)

435

hikers

The Needles – The Needles loop from Alum Bay

01:17

4.13km

150m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Isle of Wight National Landscape

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

71 m

The Needles is a row of three stacks of chalk that rise about 30 metres (98 ft) out of the sea off the western extremity of the Isle of Wight in the English Channel, United Kingdom, close to Alum Bay and Scratchell's Bay, and part of Totland, the westernmost civil parish of the Isle of Wight. The Needles Lighthouse stands at the outer, western end of the formation. Built in 1859, it has been automated since 1994. The waters and adjoining seabed form part of the Needles Marine Conservation Zone and the Needles along with the shore and heath above are part of the Headon Warren and West High Down Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The formation takes its name from a fourth needle-shaped pillar called Lot's Wife, which collapsed in a storm in 1764. The remaining rocks are not at all needle-like, but the name has stuck.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Needles

Tip by

1.60 km

The Needles New Battery Rocket Test Site

Highlight • Viewpoint

Atop the famous Needles rocks is The Needles Old and New Battery, a Victorian fort and subsequent top secret rocket testing site built in 1862.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

1.76 km

Foundations of the Master Gunner's House, Needles Old Battery

Highlight • Historical Site

The Old Battery was constructed between 1861 and 1863. It was equipped with six 7-inch Armstrong rifled breechloading guns.

Tip by

2.16 km

View of The Needles

Highlight • Viewpoint

Access to the viewpoint is free of charge 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In high season, there's an open-top bus from Yarmouth, Freshwater Bay and the Needles Park to the headland. Access to the Old Battery (National Trust) is not free and not 24/365.

Tip by

2.20 km

The Needles Rocket Testing Site and Viewpoint

Highlight (Segment) • Viewpoint

Climb up the road to the New Battery overlooking the needles.

nationaltrust.org.uk/the-needles-old-battery-and-new-battery

Tip by

4.13 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

1.34 km

1.21 km

1.10 km

415 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

1.22 km

1.10 km

835 m

716 m

258 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (110 m)

Lowest point (40 m)

Weather

Saturday 11 July

29°C

17°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 35.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

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The Needles – The Needles loop from Alum Bay

The Needles

The Needles

The Needles New Battery Rocket Test Site

Foundations of the Master Gunner's House, Needles Old Battery

View of The Needles

The Needles Rocket Testing Site and Viewpoint

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