Circular Fort Walk

9.5kM / 6 miles | 1hr 45mins

This is a relatively flat circular walk that starts and finishes at Off The Rails Yarmouth. The route follows the former railway line along the east side of the River Yar, before heading north, towards the Solent, and walking by Golden Hill Fort, Fort Albert and Fort Victoria.

Starting at Off The Rails Yarmouth, head south (towards Freshwater) along the gravel track. You will have Rofford Marsh on the left and the Old Mill on your right.

Follow the route of the old railway line until you reach The Causeway (a stone road bridge crossing the river). Turn right over the bridge and follow the road up towards the All Saints Church.

Continue on the road past the church and pub towards the main road. Cross the road straight ahead onto Hookes Hill and almost immediately take Public Footpath F66 on your right. The footpath continues to Public Bridleway F17. Once you reach a crossing of paths by a school on your left, turn right uphill following Public Bridleway F15 towards Golden Hill Fort.

Walk up a wide track through woods, you will eventually reach Golden Hill Fort just visible on your right hand side. As you reach the end of the public bridleway you will see the entrance to Golden Hill Fort on your right and a car park on your left. Walk to the far left corner of the car park and follow the trail downhill taking a right turn at the foot of the slope – this leads you out on to Heathfield Road. Turn right and walk along the pavement until you reach the main Road (Colwell Road A3054). Cross straight over to Monk’s Lane signposted Public Footpath F6 to Fort Victoria.

Follow Monk’s Lane, heading north until you reach the entrance to Linstone Chine Holiday Village. A glimpse of Fort Albert can be seen above the cliff top here. Take the Coastal Path on the right – this takes you around the edge of the holiday village with farmland on your right.

You will soon enter the boundary of Fort Victoria Country Park and further on reach a viewpoint with views across the Solent to Hurst Castle. Descend the steps and bear right along a good path through the woods. Turn left near a seat where a sign indicates the way down to Fort Victoria. At the bottom of the hill, continue ahead across a grassed area to the sea wall which passes in front of Fort Victoria. Walk along the shoreline keeping the Solent on your left, the pebble beach will soon meet a tarmac promenade with woods on the right (Coastal Footpath F6 to Yarmouth). Walk along the promenade towards Sandhard beach, at Norton Spit, turn right to join the main road.

On the corner of Halletts Shute A3054 cross the road and turn left onto the pavement, heading back towards Yarmouth.

Go over Yarmouth Bridge and turn right at Yarmouth Sailing Club, following the footpath alongside the river.

At the slipway follow path around the dinghy park heading towards the Old Mill and keeping the river on your right.

Once you have passed the Old Mill turn immediately left following signpost Y2 back onto the old railway line before returning to Off The Rails.