Hurst Beach

Summary

AI generated summary
A short, accessible coastal walking guide for the Hurst Beach route near Keyhaven in the New Forest. The circular walk starts and finishes at Keyhaven Amenity Car Park and is about 1.6 miles (2.6 km), taking around 1–2 hours, mainly on level gravel and surfaced paths. Directions lead from the car park along Keyhaven Road, past the yacht club, onto a waymarked path on the sea wall with benches and views of the yachting channel and the Isle of Wight, then along Saltgrass Lane to a ramped wooden footbridge and Hurst Beach. Walkers return by retracing the route. The guide notes local facilities including accessible parking bays, easy-access toilets, and a nearby pub, and highlights a short shingle ascent to the beach as the most challenging section, which can be optional.

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New Forest Walking Guides

Hurst Beach Accessible Trail

This 2 mile coastal walk uses gravel & surfaced paths.

Key

  • Trail Starting Point
  • Trail
  • Car Park
  • Public House
  • Public Toilets
  • 1 Trail steps

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Hurst Beach Accessible Trail

Hurst Beach is a great location for seaside walk with great facilities, lots of paths and a lovely pub.

This coast walk starts from the historic Keyhaven harbour, used by small boats since at least 1206 when it was used for transporting cattle and sheep from the Isle of Wight to the water meadows on the mainland.

Trail Overview

Start/finish:
Keyhaven Amenity Car Park.
Grid reference
SZ 306 914
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Ordnance Survey map:
Explorer OL 22 New Forest.
Distance:
1.6 miles (2.6km) – 1-2 hours.
Local facilities:
The car park has four accessible bays, easy access toilets and a pub.

Directions

1 Keyhaven car park

Leave the car park and turn left onto Keyhaven Road, heading towards the coast. At The Old Post Office, turn left and follow the short section of road past the yacht club until you reach a waymarked gravel path on your right. Turn onto this path and follow the sea wall. There are plenty of benches along this path with scenic views of the yachting channel and the Isle of Wight

2 Hurst Beach

Continue to follow the footpath as it bends right, keeping the saltmarshes and the Isle of Wight on your left. Once you reach Saltgrass Lane continue straight on until the road bends sharply to the right. Cross the wooden footbridge to arrive at Hurst Beach or simply take in the view from this lovely vantage point

3 Heading back

To complete the route, retrace your steps back along Saltgrass Lane and the gravel footpath. Taking the waymarked gravel footpath on your left, opposite the sailing club will bring you back onto Keyhaven Road and to the car park.

Keep your distance from the animals and don't feed or pet them - you may be fined.

Keep your distance from the animals and don't feed or pet them - you may be fined.

Keep your distance from the animals and don't feed or pet them - you may be fined.

Keep your distance from the animals and don't feed or pet them - you may be fined.