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Merstone Station Picnic Area – Sandown to Newport Cycle Path loop from Rookley

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Merstone Station Picnic Area – Sandown to Newport Cycle Path loop from Rookley

Moderate

hikers

Merstone Station Picnic Area – Sandown to Newport Cycle Path loop from Rookley

02:44

10.4km

100m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: May 10, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Isle of Wight National Landscape

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

88 m

Merstone Station Picnic Area

Highlight • Cycleway

This is the site of the former Merstone Station (previously Merstone Junction Station) but now the machines passing through have two wheels and are human powered, as the old railway line has been converted to a cycle track. The site is now a wildflower meadow and orchard.

Situated along the National Cycle Network route 23, Merstone Station was closed to passengers in 1956 and the natural environment has been gently reclaiming the area ever since. The old railway track was converted to a now well–used cycle path and the station is the perfect place to stop for a picnic along the way.

Gift to Nature took over the management of the site in 2016 and after consultation with the community are now in a position to start the work to create a more open and inviting space, along with some highly requested shelter and hand carved benches.

Tip by

147 m

Carved Rabbit Picnic Tables

Highlight • Rest Area

Gorgeous spot for a quick break and a snack. Check out the carvings on the picnic tables! 🐿

Tip by

2.61 km

View of the Rolling Hills

Highlight • Natural

4.46 km

View of the Isle of Wight Countryside

Highlight • Viewpoint

5.22 km

Red Squirrel Trail – Merstone Station

Highlight • Cycleway

Lovely off road cycle path. Hired an 'adventure' bike from Isle of Wight cycles in Yarmouth, basically a road bike with slightly fatter tyres that helped with the cinder trails. A true roadie with narrow tyres would struggle a little though.

Tip by

7.97 km

Birchmore Pond

Highlight • Lake

Is a Gift to Nature site next to Naturezones. The pond has been cleared and maintained to make it the perfect environment for dragonflies and damselflies. There is a bench next to the pond and it is a peaceful place for a picnic.

Tip by

9.38 km

Sandown to Newport Cycle Path

Highlight • Cycleway

The Sandown to Newport cyclepath is built along the line of a former railway line, and it is the longest cycle path on the Isle of Wight. The route is part of National Cycle Route 23 and passes through some of the nicest countryside the island has to offer.

Tip by

10.4 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

7.26 km

1.13 km

1.07 km

563 m

226 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

3.79 km

3.70 km

1.47 km

1.03 km

262 m

106 m

Elevation

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

Highest point (100 m)

Lowest point (10 m)

Weather

Saturday 9 May

16°C

7°C

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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Merstone Station Picnic Area – Sandown to Newport Cycle Path loop from Rookley

Merstone Station Picnic Area

Carved Rabbit Picnic Tables

View of the Rolling Hills

View of the Isle of Wight Countryside

Red Squirrel Trail – Merstone Station

Birchmore Pond

Sandown to Newport Cycle Path

Nearby routes

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