Hayling Island was the latest addition to my cyclable islands challenge, and a very enjoyable one. Good weather, a short ferry crossing and a largely flat route made for a great day exploring by bike.
I visited on 14 September, with an island ride that covered just over 26km. It was an easy distance, but enough to explore different parts of the island rather than simply riding along the seafront and heading back. And I was able to take my folding bike.
26.16 km · 1 hour 24 minutes 14 seconds riding time · 26m elevation gain
Getting across to the island
I stayed at the ibis budget hotel in Portsmouth and cycled from there to catch the Hayling Ferry at Eastney. The ferry connects the Portsmouth side with Ferry Point on the western tip of Hayling Island.
The crossing was very straightforward. I paid £4, the journey took around five minutes, and the staff were friendly. It was a pleasant way to start the day and fitted nicely with the island-hopping part of the challenge.
Once across, I started my ride in the sunshine.
Exploring Hayling Island by bike
My route headed east along the southern side of the island before turning inland and continuing north. From there, I worked my way back down the western side and returned to the ferry, making a loop with a few shorter out-and-back sections along the way.
The return leg included the Hayling Billy Trail, which follows the former railway route along the Langstone Harbour side of the island. It is now shared by cyclists, walkers and horse riders.
With only 26m of elevation gain, there was very little climbing to contend with. That suited this ride nicely; bery little effort and able to just enjoy the island.
The route also gave me a useful balance between covering some distance and seeing different parts of the island. There was no need for a particularly long ride to make the ferry trip worthwhile.
Another island worth visiting
I would highly recommend Hayling Island for a day out on the bike. The combination of an easy crossing, friendly ferry staff and an enjoyable, largely flat ride made it a great addition to the challenge.
My main practical suggestion would be to check the ferry timetable and service updates before setting off, particularly when planning the return journey. The operator publishes these on the Hayling Ferry website.
See the full cycle challenge here