Guernsey Coastal Path : Self Guided Walking Tour

Guernsey Coastal Path

7 Days & 6 Nights 4.5 Read 18 reviews

Tasting fresh fruit from the gardens at one of the islands many ’Honesty Stalls’
Feeling the fine powdery sand between your toes as you walk along Cobo Beach
Admiring the aquamarine sea below as you walk atop the cliffs of the South Coast
Experiencing the unique islands of Herm and Sark

Your walk around Guernsey will be one of contrasts and ever-changing scenery. The south coast boasts wild and rugged walking where you will hear the roar of the waves as they buffet the cliffs beneath you. The west is where the cliffs and coves give way to sea-grass fringed sand dunes. The landscape changes again in the north where rocky inlets pepper the coastline sheltering brightly coloured fishing boats.

What To Expect

Travel restrictions and resources, to and from any destination

If you like varied walking with long sandy beaches and wild and rugged cliff tops then, Guernsey could be just for you. With an abundance of wildlife and amazing colourful flora this makes for a wonderful island coastal walk.

Tour Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Islands
Coastal Walking

Activity Level & Terrain

This route is graded as easy to moderate, it is mainly walking on existing pathways, bridleways and some minor roads. Beach walking is an option depending on the tides.

Navigation

The route is not extensively waymarked but is easily navigated with the route notes, maps and guidebook that we provide. It is always useful to be able to navigate with a compass in case of adverse weather. GPX tracks are also accessible on the Macs Smartphone App, so you can simply follow the route on your phone.

Accommodations

One of the highlights of this walking holiday is the high standard of the accommodation. We specifically choose the hotels, inns, guesthouses and B&B’s to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay. They all offer a warm welcome to walkers, traditional hospitality and delicious local food. Due to limited accommodation availability for one night stays we may have to accommodate you in one location for more than one night. If this is the case, Guernsey has anexcellent local bus network which can be used to travel to the start of the walk.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable. We welcome solo walkers on Guernsey although you should of course take extra care in the outdoors when walking solo. A supplement will apply to baggage transfers.

Meals

A hearty breakfast is included each morning. Lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options. Most of your accommodations will more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or nearby pubs or restaurants.

Additional Nights and Extensions

Many of our clients choose to add extra nights along the walk to sample more of the wonderful walking and attractions available on Guernsey. Extra nights can be added anywhere along the walk although we would recommend an extra night in St Peter Port as there is an abundance of inland walks which can be accessed by local bus from here

Included

Bed and breakfast accommodation in ensuite rooms wherever possible
Door to door baggage transfer
A detailed info pack, route notes, guidebook and maps
Access to the Macs Smartphone App
Emergency telephone support from our office in the event of a problem

Excluded

Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks
Entrance fees (where applicable)
Travel Insurance
Transport should you need to skip a stage
Ferries to Sark or Herm on Day 6

Extras

When To Go

You can start your walk on Guernsey Coastal Path on any day between the beginning of April and end of October.

Getting to the Start

By Air: You can fly direct from London Gatwick and Stansted or a number of regional airports. Flights from the UK take as little as 45mins. You can also fly from some European destinations to Guernsey. Flight operators include Aurigny , Blue Islands and Flybe. There are regular buses from the airport to St Peter Port (20mins)

By Car: We don't recommend that you take your car to Guernsey as using public transport is by far the best way to get around the island. Long term parking is expensive. There is limited unsecure on street parking in the outlying residential areas.

By Ferry: There are regular direct ferries from Poole (3hrs), Weymouth (2.5hrs) or Portsmouth (11.5hrs). All routes are with Condor Ferries.

Luggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.

General Information

Day 6 - Ferry to neighbouring islands (check timetables)

On day 6 you can opt to visit Sark or Herm.

Sark Ferry - Stops doing a full service on 1 October, therefore you cannot take a return ferry back in the afternoon. visit https://www.sarkshipping.gg for timetables.
Herm Island ferry - ferries run till the end of October: http://www.traveltrident.com/sailing-times.htm

Walking Direction

We offer this walk in a clockwise direction around the island starting and finishing in St Peter Port.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of this booking with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation or hospital care.

How fit do I need to be?

How far in advance do I need to book?

What personal equipment do I need?

When is the best time of year?

Am I able to take my dog?

What happens if I can’t walk a stage?

Itinerary

Day 1 Starting/Finishing Point: St Peter Port

The walk starts and finishes in St Peter Port, the centre of island life and the vibrant capital. The town is considered to be one of the most attractive in Europe with it’s pretty harbour and patchwork of architectural styles. Sitting proud on a rocky outcrop Castle Cornet stands guard over St Peter Port. It makes a great place to admire the town and the views to the neighbouring islands.

Guernsey is easily accessible from the UK and Europe with regular flights from many airports and ferries from Weymouth, Poole and Portsmouth.

Overnight St Peter Port

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Duke of Normandie Hotel | Hotel

This hotel has an enviable location in the heart of St Peter’s Port and is situated within a quiet courtyard. The 37 rooms and all are stylishly furnished to the highest standard and equipped with LCD Televisions, Digital TV, DVD/CD Players, iPod Stations, Bluetooth connection, Minibars, Safes, Laundry Service and free use of the Hotel’s DVD Library. The Pickled Pig is a new ‘Gastro Pub’ situated on the ground floor of the hotel building. There is a quirky and intimate feel to the pub which offers a varied menu full of home-made dishes including favourites such as; Beer Battered Fish & Chips and 100 % Guernsey Beef Burgers.

Les Rocquettes | Hotel

Hotel accommodation at Les Rocquettes Hotel Guernsey consists of a total of fifty rooms. All rooms are en-suite with bath and overhead shower, flat screen TV, clock radio, hairdryer, beverage tray, telephone and safe. The Oak Restaurant opens daily for breakfast and dinner, and also for lunch on Sundays. Each morning you can enjoy a selection from the buffet as well as a freshly cooked full Guernsey breakfast.

The Oak Restaurant holds a Breakfast Award from Visit Guernsey as well as a Rosette Restaurant Award from the AA.

Fermain Valley Hotel | Hotel

The Fermain Valley Hotel is a luxurious boutique 4 star Guernsey Hotel with fantastic facilities and stunning views. The hotel has 45 bedrooms influenced by the natural beauty of the valley. They luxurious and stylish rooms are furnished to the high standard seen throughout the hotel. The hotel offers mouth-watering dining options to suit all tastes. They award winning chefs have created thoughtfully crafted menus for both the Rock Garden Steakhouse and Ocean Restaurant.

Day 2 St Peter Port to Petit Bot Bay 7 miles / 11 km Day 3 Petit Bot Bay to Vazon Bay 13 miles / 20.5 km

Clifftop walking and stunning coastal views remain a feature of today's walk. The views inland are also pretty with patchwork farmland and glimpses of the spire on Torteval Church. The Pleinmont peninsula on the southwest point of Guernsey is dramatic with many lookouts and fortifications. Over 150 species of bird have been recorded here making it one of the best places for bird watching on the island.

As you travel around the southwest corner of the island the rugged cliffs give way to wide expanses of sand. Standing on the beach looking out to sea gives you a real sense of how vast the ocean is with nothing between you and North America. This is the perfect opportunity to take off your socks and boots and have a paddle or watch the surfers out to sea.

A visit to Lihou Island, the most westerly point of the Channel Islands is a must. Only accessible at low tide it used to be inhabited by an order of Benedictine monks and is now home to an abundance of bird and marine life.

Overnight Vazon Bay

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Fleur du Jardin | Hotel

The Fleur du Jardin is set in the heart of the Guernsey countryside. This Boutique Hotel mixes ancient 15th Century farmstead ambience with modern rooms and 21st Century Cuisine. 'The Fleur' was once owned by a well-known Guernsey family who farmed in this area known as the Kings Mills. The hotel was once a key dairy farm for the world-famous Guernsey Cow. 'The Fleur du Jardin' named after one of the most noted of these beautiful animals. The hotel has total of 15 Rooms, all have en-suite facilities and all the amenities for a great overnight stay. The restaurant is well known locally and has many awards attributed to it. Their Head Chef maintains a very high standard and concentrates on using as much local produce as possible.

Les Douvres | Hotel

Les Douvres Hotel exudes warmth and character. Each of the 19 rooms are uniquely styled with bespoke furnishings designed to ensure you feel at home. They also house a popular restaurant and bar, serving a wide variety of local beers and excellent wines as well as delicious gastro-inspired cuisine.

Day 4 Vazon Bay to Vale area 5.5 miles / 9 km Day 5 Vale area to St Peter Port 10.5 miles / 17 km

The north of the island is punctuated by small rocky inlets where you see brightly coloured boats of lobster fishermen bobbing in the sea as they land their daily catch. The churches of Vale and St Sampson have a long and varied past and are well worth exploring. The coast path then brings you back around to the start of the walk in St Peter Port.

Overnight St Peter Port

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Duke of Normandie Hotel | Hotel

Les Rocquettes | Hotel

The Oak Restaurant holds a Breakfast Award from Visit Guernsey as well as a Rosette Restaurant Award from the AA.

Fermain Valley Hotel | Hotel

Day 6 Choose one of the neighbouring islands to explore

You are spoilt for choice this morning with the islands of Sark and Herm on your doorstep. Both of them offer great walking opportunities.

Sark: Sark has spectacular walking with one of the most admired points being the knife-edged arête La Coupee which connects Sark with Little Sark. You can spend the day exploring the south (9.5 miles) or the north (6.25 miles) or both if you have the time! Transport: Ferries to Sark operate daily and take 40mins (please note, it's not possible to visit Sark in October as only one ferry runs a day) Ensure you check timetables at - Sark Shipping Company.

Herm: Herm is a gem of an island with enough to explore to keep you busy for the day. The walk around the coast path is 4 miles long which gives you plenty of time to take in the fine coastal views or do a bit or puffin spotting at Point Sauzebourge. Transport: Daily ferries operate from St Peter Port and take 20mins - Travel Trident.

Overnight St Peter Port

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Duke of Normandie Hotel | Hotel

Les Rocquettes | Hotel

The Oak Restaurant holds a Breakfast Award from Visit Guernsey as well as a Rosette Restaurant Award from the AA.

Fermain Valley Hotel | Hotel

Day 7 Onward Travel