24 Trips to Explore in 2024See the List
Duration
8 days
Activities
  • self guided walk
Accommodation
  • 6 nights B&B
  • 1 nights Pub
Meals
  • 7 Breakfasts

Price

$1590USD

 
 

Overview

Trip Code: WCG

Trip highlights


  • Walking around the islands of the Guernsey Bailiwick including Herm & Sark
  • Beautiful sea and island walks, crossing bays and beaches and rugged cliffs
  • Historical interest including fortresses especially from the 16th to 20th century
  • Well-preserved Nazi German fortifications
  • Quiet villages & resorts
  • Eclectic range of pubs and eateries to discover
  • Walk in the footsteps of Victor Hugo, Renoir and Queen Victoria

This walking tour around the islands of Guernsey is the longer half of The Channel Island Way, an unofficial 177 km /110 mile trail around the accessible Channel Islands in The English Channel. The islands all have a separate character and could be likened to some of the nicest parts of Cornwall. There are some fantastic long sandy beaches, beautiful undulating cliff paths leading to tiny coves with sparkling rock pools. The cliffs are a riot of colour in spring and early summer with sea pinks and trefoils.

Most headlands have a fort of various sizes, mainly dating back to the 1600s-1860s. Huge fort constructions were also created by the Nazis during their occupation of the islands in World War II. Reopening and exploring some of these has been a point of renewed interest by Guernsey Historians. The islands are firmly established on bird migratory routes.

Originally part of the Duchy of Normandy, William the Conqueror bequeathed the islands to the English crown where they remained even after the mainland parts of the duchy had been absorbed by the French monarchy. Today they exist as a collection of ‘States’ under the UK, but independent to it in many ways under a political set up called a ‘Bailiwick.’

You can also choose a 10 day version of this tour with 2 nights spent on the island of Alderney. Please refer to trip code WC2, Guernsey Islands - Channel Island Way, 10 Days. Or combine this trip with the 7-day Jersey section (trip code WCJ) and complete the Channel Island Way in one go.

Trip Grading

moderate

More info about grading system

Traveller Rating

 

Fly or ferry to Guernsey, St. Peter Port. The Island’s capital is a bustling, friendly place with a row of attractive harbours and marinas set under a steeply terraced townscape with some remarkably well preserved buildings especially from the 1700 and 1800s. Visit Castle Cornet the 800 year old fortress, the restored Victorian Gardens, the house where Victor Hugo stayed, or just relax along the promenade with its array of pubs and restaurants. At certain high points in the town you can see Herm, Sark, Alderney and the coast of Normandy. Accommodation: La Piette Hotel is family owned. It dates back to the 1700's with many of its original architectural features remaining including a magnificent carved wooden fireplace, rumoured to have come from the town church in 1870.

Meals:  Nil

Starting from the ‘Liberation Memorial’ marking the end of the German occupation, head south out of town along the coast road passing some tidal bathing pools before the way follows a climbing path through the artillery positions of Victorian Fort George. More gently you wind through what in late April – May are beautiful bluebell woods, dropping down to attractive Fermain Bay where you could have a swim or refreshments at the café. The Path becomes rougher, undulating around headlands, including St. Martins, Jerbourg and Icart Points and a gorgeous series of bays. There are views across to several sea stacks called the ‘Pea Stacks’ and you occasionally pass Nazi strong-points. Just when you are ready for an afternoon tea you reach Moulin Huet Bay with its tea room. In the coves below, Renoir did a series of paintings. The undulations finally take you down to ‘Petit Bot Bay’ a pretty shingle beach. The coastal walk finishes here, but the accommodation is another 25 minutes walk inland in the parish of St. Martin. Accommodation: We use a popular country pub, The Captains. The pub has a great menu and sometimes folk music. Just down the road, there is the possibility of an upgrade to another pub hotel.

Meals:  B

Continue along the undulating path which involves numerous steps in places. Passing the pretty National Trust land and seascapes near to ‘Le Gouffre’ and then along a particularly wild and rocky coastline dotted with occasional watch towers. Heading westerly, some huge fortifications come into view - reinforced concrete direction finding towers used by the Nazis to direct their artillery at allied shipping. You will come across a restored trench system with a 22 cm artillery piece in its pit. There are views inland to Torteval Church which was used as a ‘Seamark’ so that pre radar, sailors could locate themselves and then out to sea there is Hanois lighthouse which protects shipping from the dangerous reefs. Leaving the cliffs walking into Portelet Harbour, you can enjoy your first extensive sweeps of sand and possible swimming around the bay. It may be worth visiting the interesting ‘Cup and Saucer’ fortress of Fort Grey which is now a shipwreck museum. From here it is another long sandy beach up to L’Eree headland passing Lihou Island and another trench and tower system. Note that due to limited accommodation at Perelle Bay (unless you have a minimum 2 night stay) it will be necessary to bus or walk (1.5 hours) to the hotel at Cobo Bay. Accommodation: You will stay at the well regarded hotel in Cobo Bay. The hotel has a beautiful location with possible sunset views and a great bar restaurant that spills outside onto a terrace on warm days.

Meals:  B

This is a different day to the first two, it is a long walk, but unlike the others it is relatively flat allowing you to cover distance faster as you circumnavigate the bays and promontories to ultimately complete your walk around Guernsey. The route heads round Chouet headland passing gorgeous ‘Baie de la Jaonneuse’ and then extensive ‘Pembroke Bay’ with its antitank wall. Passing more forts of differing eras, the path becomes more remote before heading south again, reaching the café at picturesque Bordeaux Harbour before the last few kms into St. Peter Port. If you wish to shorten the distance with use of your map, you can bypass some of the peninsular forts saving approximately 5 km. If you prefer, you could end the walk on the coastal road and take an hourly bus into St. Peter Port. Accommodation: Return to your first nights accommodation La Piette Hotel. You will spend a further 2 nights here.

Meals:  B

Herm is a gem of an island, no big forts, just an isle with a short cliff top walk followed by long sections on sandy bays and grassy commons, passing a couple of beach cafés. It is a 25 minute hop across on the ferry and the walk is short giving you enough time for a swim, or an extended lunch at the popular ‘Mermaid Tavern’. You may see puffins at ‘Puffin Bay’ and sometimes seals hang out on the northern beaches. You can also walk up the spinal road and take the woodland walk to the buildings around the St. Tugual’s chapel. Afternoon ferry back to Guernsey. You may choose to stay at the 'White House Hotel' in Herm, in this case you will need to take your own luggage onto the ferry and request with us.

Meals:  B

Pack your things in the morning to take on the ferry to Sark. This is a larger boat than for Herm and you can book the crossings online. The ferry takes 45-50 minutes. Sark is in its own time-warp. It is a very special island, there are no cars, only tractors and horse carts and no street lighting. Due to this and its island position, the International Dark-Sky Association designated Sark as Europe's first Dark Sky Community and the first Dark Sky Island in the world (2011).This recognises that Sark is sufficiently clear of light pollution to allow naked-eye astronomy. It also means that you should bring a good torch! Sark has a quasi-feudal system of government under a Seigneur although they have recently tried to make it more democratic.This harks back to the late mediaeval period when a number of original families were ‘planted ‘on the island. Some of their houses still remain. Due to the nature of the island, geography and history of landownership, there is no continuous path right the way around it. Here the Channel Island Way does a kind of figure of eight. You can decide whether to do the walk today, half of it, or wait for better weather tomorrow. The walk takes you across a chasm via ‘La Coupee’ a dramatic walk way to Little Sark that will one day be breached by the sea. On little Sark drop down to the site of the silver mines at Port Gorey, enjoy a cream tea at ‘La Sablonnerie’ then walk round the wild coast up at the northern end of the island. You may have enough time to visit the gardens of ‘La Seigneurie’ before finding your overnight accommodation. Accommodation: La Marguerite Guesthouse, this is a comfortable family run guesthouse.

Meals:  B

More time to explore the natural wonders of Sark and the parts of the island you missed yesterday. You could do half of yesterday's walk today, or all of it if the weather had been too bad. Otherwise you could hire a bike or take a horse cart ride through the island. The horse drivers have to pass a driving test and have a great island Knowledge. Top speed 10 mph/16 kph. Chill out on the sea cliffs, visit ‘La Seigneurie’ gardens, the Sark Museum and one of several great cafes and restaurants.

Meals:  B

In the morning take the ferry back from Sark to Guernsey. Make your own way to the airport.

Meals:  B


Inclusions

  • 7 breakfasts
  • 7 nights accommodation guesthouses and hotels on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities, where available
  • One piece of luggage per person transferred from Inn to Inn, not exceeding 20kg, on Guernsey mainland
  • Information pack including route notes & maps
  • Emergency hotline

  • Lunch, Dinner and drinks
  • Entrance fees
  • Travel to the start and from the end point of the trip
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls
  • Excess Luggage
  • Inter-island flights and ferries
  • small local payment for return luggage transfer from Sark ferry to Sark accommodation
  • Bus to Cobo Hotel
  • A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
  • Guide - this is a self guided holiday

Accommodation


Grading

moderate  

MODERATE – GRADE 3 This is a self guided walk with average daily stages of around 5-6 hours (not including rests or visits to the sights enroute). The trip is graded moderate as the paths are fairly well defined. There are many ups and downs as you would expect in a coastal region, and walking poles are definitely a good idea. A good level of fitness is required and the trip is considered suitable for experienced walkers. Map reading skills are essential and you may need to use a compass at times in order to check the path. As with all of our trips it is important that you are well prepared. We suggest that you undertake regular exercise – swimming, cycling, and jogging, two to three times a week for at least three months prior to your departure.


Departure dates

Daily from 3 Apr to 27 Oct

Notes

DN1
Alderney extension available, refer to notes within the itinerary, supplement applies
DN2
Please note that minor changes to your 2024 itinerary may apply.

Want to organise a private group?

Fundraising events, sporting groups, family treats; learn how you can organise a Private Group from just 6 travellers.

Priceper person from

$1590USD

Options & Supplements*
  • Single SupplementUSD$280
  • Solo Traveller SupplementUSD$300
*Prices listed are per person

Frequently Asked Questions

There are some undulating cliff paths, not so rocky, but can be steep, and delightful white sandy beaches. there is also a bit of road and sand dune walking. Sometimes it will depend upon the state of the tide how much road walking you do

To complete this walk from Guernsey, you also have to take ferries to and from Harm and Sark. Although the weather is generally reasonable in the seasons we run the tour, the ferries can be delayed by bad weather. Please make sure that you have full travel insurance

The Channel Islands are not part of the UK and although there are reciprocal relations with the UK National Health Service, you should be fully insured to cover any injuries including repatriation

Herm is very small which is conducive to a day trip. However if you want a night on Herm, we may be able to book you a night there, but you will need to take your own bag on the ferry

You will also need to complete the walks around Alderney and Jersey. The 10 day version of this trip will allow you to complete the Alderney part


Trip reviews


Why travel with us

Making Europe Affordable

We offer different levels of accommodation and comfort so that even the most budget conscious can treat themselves to active holidays on Europe's most celebrated tracks and trails. Our trips are great value for money because you only pay for what you want.  

Self-Guided Specialists

Our wide range of self-guided itineraries embody the UTracks philosophy of exploring Europe your way. We handle the logistics so all that's left for you to do is enjoy exploring Europe at your own pace. Most depart daily with a minimum of two people, meaning maximum flexibility.

Our Wide Range

With close to 400 trips in almost 50 countries, including the largest range of bike & boat holidays in Europe, we're confident that we can organise an Alps walk, Camino de Santiago or Via Francigena experience, Food Lovers' trip or a tour in a lesser-known pocket of Europe that you will love. 

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