Jersey: The Channel Island Way

Day 1 Arrive Jersey

Fly or ferry to Jersey, then take a taxi direct to your hotel or use the island's reliable bus service. Accommodation: Best Western Royal Hotel. One of the principal hotels in Jersey, the Best Western Royal Hotel is rated as 3* by the AA and is ideally located only a few minutes walk from the pedestrian shopping areas of St. Helier. This traditional 89-bedroom hotel boasts a range of upgrade rooms from executive, balcony or patio access and suites. For the convenience of guests free WiFi is provided throughout the hotel and there is a small car park. With restaurant and bar everything is at hand.

Day 2 St Helier to La Pulente 21.6km / 13.4 miles, 7 hours

This first day is a walk of two halves, striding out of St.Helier passing marinas and modern coastal developments, you can either walk along the beach at low tide, or follow the coastal promenade passing imposing Elizabeth Fort and past miles of creamy sand to St. Aubin. This was Jersey’s main harbour before St. Helier was developed. After this warm up and maybe some refreshment, leave the seaside to ascend the cliffs to the well preserved Nazi fortifications at Noirmont. There is some nice cliff walking until the enticing St. Brélades Bay which is probably the most popular beach on the island, with its historical church and ‘Fisher’s Chapel’. More cliff tops follow to the extreme south western tip of the island at La Corbiére with its famous lighthouse and views all the way to Newfoundland! Turn the corner and finish at a beach café at the south of St. Ouen’s Bay, once again facing miles of sandy beach like we started the day. The return bus takes approx 45 min (depending on traffic).

Day 3 La Pulente to La Grève de Lecq 14.8km / 9 miles, 5.5 hours

At all but the higher states of tides, you can stay on the beach and walk the first few kilometers across the glorious sandy St.Ouen's Bay. To the west there is nothing but ocean as far as Canada. However, if you are restricted by tide, weather or inclination to the sea wall path, there are some interesting features including a small nature reserve which is the home to a few of Jersey's indigenous species, more defensive towers and a World War II museum in a former Nazi bunker with lots of interesting artifacts. The landscape changes when you reach the far end of the bay and you are forced to ascend into the heather and gorse carpeted cliffs. You then pass around a remote headland which has been managed to try to slow and stop the growth of bracken around the island and thus improve the area for nesting birds. The cliff walk takes you round to a Nazi range finding tower and to the remains of Medieval 'Le Chateau de Gros Nez' sitting isolated on a cliff. It then passes the beautiful small beach at 'La Grève de Lanchon' before heading beside coast and fields to finish at the delightful sandy bay at 'La Grève de Lecq.' The return bus takes approx 40 min (depending on traffic).

Day 4 La Grève de Lecq to Bouley Bay 16km /10 miles, 6 hours

The hardest but arguably most beautiful section of the walk. A couple of miles of tarmac walking but nearly all on coastal footpath, which relentlessly undulates around the coves and bays of northern Jersey. The land-seascape views are gorgeous in the right light and views to Guernsey, Herm, Sark, Alderney and the coast of France; tidal reefs and races; old forts and watch towers; heather and gorse, butterflies and birdlife. The walking has a more remote feel than other days, with just the small seaside village of Bonne Nuit and a couple of pubs to gain refreshment. There are interesting geological features including, sea stacs and a collapsed cliff called 'The Devil's Hole'. Hopefully the weather will be at your back! You are never really that close to the cliff edge to feel exposed, although this of course is subjective. There are some rougher sections with a lot of undulations. A tiring but fulfilling day.The return bus takes approx 50 min (depending on traffic).

Day 5 La Bouley to Gorey 12.6km / 7.8 miles, 5 hours

Another beautiful day, now rounding the north eastern point of the island, and heading south. From Bouley Bay, the epic cliff walks continue, dropping down to the beautiful and picturesque little village and harbour at Le Rozels. From here there is a bit of quiet road walking inland, until a descent into the bay at Fiquet, passing by a breakwater into St. Catherines Bay. Perhaps it is time for an ice cream and if the tide is low, a re-acquaintance with beach walking, passing some strategic towers, the final part joins the road around headland north of Gorey and to the impressive medieval castle of Mont Orgueil. It is worth spending up to 2 hours ascending and descending the multitude of steps to visit the chambers in this well preserved citadel. Finally drop down to the little fishing and boating village of Gorey below the castle. The return bus takes approx 30 min (depending on traffic).

Day 6 Gorey Harbour to St.Helier 13.5km / 8.4 miles, 4 hours

At low tide you can walk much of the way from Gorey to St. Helier along most of the beaches. The first section involves an attractive walk observing Mont Orgueil diminishing into the distance across sand, sea and passing an old tower called Fort Henry. There are a few headlands that you can't easily get round as well as rough, weedy and rocky sections of beach and private properties, so in places you will be on the coastal road and pavement. As you go along, the coastline gets more built up. If not walking on the beach there is a couple of miles of walking along seawall and sandy marram grass, but mostly you are on the coast road. Attractions include the long beach at Royal Bay of Grouville, The Harbour at Platte Rocque and the Lido (tidal swimming pool) at Havre de Pas - you might want to bring swimming costumes if it is warm, but check the tide levels (it is totally underwater at high tide). Finally there are the many defensive towers along the way. Return to Liberation Square in central St. Helier to complete your circuit of Jersey.

Day 7 Arrangements end after breakfast

The tour finishes after breakfast. Bus or taxi to airport or ferry terminal.