From coastal paths to maritime trails and nature walks to a section of the world’s longest managed coastal path, Gosport is a fantastic destination for walking.
Whether you’re seeking a leisurely stroll or a challenging hike, here are five of the best walks to step out on in Gosport.
- Gosport Waterfront Trail
Distance: 3km (one way)
Places to eat: The Boathouse at Gosport Marina, T by the Sea at Royal Clarence Yard, Arty’s or The Old Bakehouse at Royal Clarence Marina
Discover Gosport’s fascinating maritime history with the Gosport Waterfront Trail, a self-guided 3km walk through historic Gosport. The trail follows the harbour edge via Gosport’s three marinas with panoramic views across Portsmouth Harbour.
Start at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum and follow the brick pavement around Haslar Marina, taking in sights along the way, including the Millennium Pier. Continue to Gosport Marina and on to Royal Clarence Yard, where you can see the former RN Granary & Bakery, the Rum Store, and Queen Victoria’s private railway remnants at Victoria Quay. Finish the trail by crossing the Millennium Bridge to Priddy’s Hard heritage area, home to Explosion! The Museum of Naval Firepower and the Powder Monkey Brewing Co.
- Stokes Bay to Fort Gilkicker
Distance: 2.5km (one way)
Places to eat: Bayside Cabin, Pebbles Fish & Wine Bar
Begin at The Diving Museum at the western end of Stokes Bay and walk along the beach or promenade enjoying panoramic views across The Solent along the way until you reach Fort Gilkicker.
Fort Gilkicker is a Grade II listed semi-circular fort built in the late 19th century to protect Portsmouth Harbour. Today, its striking architecture is being redeveloped into luxury housing.
Sitting on the southernmost point of the Gosport peninsula, the coastline in front of Fort Gilkicker is rich in wildlife, with incredible views across the water towards the Isle of Wight.
- Alver Valley Country Park
Distance: 3.5km
Places to eat: Coffee Cup – Alver Valley
For tranquillity and nature slightly inland from the coast, Alver Valley Country Park offers a beautiful location for walking amidst woodlands, wildlife, and wetlands.
There are multiple walking trails throughout Alver Valley Country Park. This circular route begins at the Alver Valley Country Park West Car Park, where there is a large play area and picnic areas.
Head east away from the car park and play area, and follow the track which runs past the northern part of Noah Lake on your right. Follow the path until you reach a fork, turning a sharp left to continue the path south. When you reach Sandhill Lane, turn left until you reach Apple Dumpling Bridge. Turn around and continue back along Sandhill Lane, this time staying on this pathway, passing the west side of Noah Lake on your right, before finishing back at the car park.
- Lee-on-the-Solent Promenade
Distance: Up to 2km (one way)
Places to eat: On the Water, Bakerellys
A bustling slice of the seaside, Lee-on-the-Solent is a perfect place for a social seafront stroll.
The full stretch of the Solent Beach Path at Lee-on-the-Solent extends for just over 2km from Browndown to just beyond The Hovercraft Museum, but the most popular section is the tarmac promenade parallel to Lee-on-the-Solent High Street, where a mini market is held on the first Saturday of the month from April to November.
The route is mostly flat tarmac, making it pushchair and wheelchair-friendly with plenty of play areas and ice cream stops along the way.
- King Charles III England Coast Path, Gosport Section
Distance: over 20km (Gosport section, one way)
Places to eat: On the Water or Bakerellys at Lee-on-the-Solent; Bayside Cabin or Pebbles Fish & Wine Bar at Stokes Bay; The Boathouse at Gosport Marina; T by the Sea at Royal Clarence Yard; Arty’s or The Old Bakehouse at Royal Clarence Marina
If you’d like to stretch your legs a little further, the King Charles III England Coast Path, which runs through Gosport, is the world’s longest managed coastal path, running for 4,400km (2,795 miles) all the way around the coast of England.
The Gosport stretch of the England Coast Path covers over 20km from Lee-on-the-Solent, following the south coast alongside The Solent before turning north around the Gosport Peninsula and following the western side of Portsmouth Harbour. The route takes in Stokes Bay, Haslar, Gosport’s three marinas, and the heritage areas of Royal Clarence Yard and Priddy’s Hard.
The route can be shortened by taking the Gosport Ferry directly across to Portsmouth.
From Gosport, the England Coast Path continues to Portsmouth to the east, and Southampton to the west.