For the most part, the path follows the coast of the Solent, the sea strait that separates mainland Britain from the Isle of Wight.

From Buckler's Hard the path follows the edge of the river to Beaulieu and on to Hythe on the west bank of Southampton Water.

[6][7] From Southampton the Solent Way passes through the city centre, crosses the River Itchen by the high-level Itchen Bridge and follows the northern shore of Southampton Water past Netley Castle, the ruins of Netley Abbey, and the Royal Victoria Country Park to the yachting centre of Hamble-le-Rice.

[8] From Warsash, the north shore of the Solent is regained, and followed past Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve and through the seaside centres of Hill Head and Lee-on-Solent to the town of Gosport on the western side of Portsmouth Harbour.

From Langstone the path follows the north coast of Chichester Harbour and passes Warblington Castle before reaching its end at the village of Emsworth.