Sea Air Trail

The Sea Air Trail is a five-mile, one-way walk from Lymington Sea Water Baths to Keyhaven, following the Solent Way beside the Lymington–Keyhaven marshes. Allow about two and a half hours for the outward walk. The route is mostly level and easy to follow, but it is not a loop: arrange a return from Keyhaven or count on walking the same five miles back.

At the baths, skirt the pool and follow the signs for the Solent Way. The path then runs along the sea wall beside the nature reserve, with maps along the way to help you keep your place. Near Keyhaven, the upper track is gravel and shared with cyclists. The mapped Sea Air Trail ends at Keyhaven. Continuing toward Milford-on-Sea or taking the ferry to Hurst Castle is a separate extension, not part of this five-mile line.

From the open wall, look across the Solent toward the Isle of Wight and Hurst Castle; on a clear day you may pick out Portsmouth's Spinnaker Tower. Near Fishtail Lagoon, a nesting island sits among the water and mudflats. Winter brings Brent geese and waders; spring brings migrant birds such as wheatears and terns. The mudflats and saltmarsh are difficult and potentially dangerous to enter, so stay on the sea wall. Dogs under control may use the wall but must stay out of the reserve. For a photo, use the path as a leading line with the marsh and island behind it.

The walk starts beside Lymington Sea Water Baths; Lymington Quay and the marinas are named parking options near this end. At Keyhaven, the public car park, toilets and Gun Inn are set back from the sea wall. Plan your return before setting off; there is no return leg in the route distance.