Walking in Guernsey – two easy trails

Circular route from the Fermain Valley Hotel

Approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes. Easy to moderate

In September one thinks of the Channel Islands as somewhere offering late sun and to take it easy with a bit of sightseeing. And so it does, but it’s also a great place to get up and go to explore the islands on foot. With some stunning scenery and fabulous views along the coastline and out to sea and across to France and neighbouring islands, these islands offer some of the most enjoyable walking you’ll find.

With the benefit of arriving at a small airport and being able to get to your hotel in less than 20 minutes, Guernsey offers the perfect place to combine good coastal walks with fascinating heritage and lovely food.

Our stay centred around Fermain Bay and the perfectly located Fermain Valley Hotel on the east coast, just a couple of miles from the capital St Peter Port. Starting at the hotel or at the secluded bay just below where there is a public car park and tearooms overlooking the sea, the first walk heads South (right at the bottom of the road over the little bridge near the cafe) and climbs up through the woods towards St Martin’s Point.

Being a coastal route, the walk down to St Martin’s Point is only a mile or so as the crow flies but takes round 45-50 minutes to complete. The path winds up and down, in and out among the little bays, but this is what affords the views and allows the nature to flourish undeterred by residential development.

Upon reaching Saint Martin’s point and turning west you climb up to another car park and take a relatively level route around the peninsular Jerbourg Point. This is a climb of some 100 steps so is definitely not for everyone, but with a well-marked path marked by granite signposts, the path is a short moderate to strenuous route that takes you into some of the best coastal walking.

Rounding Jerbourg Point you come to Moulin Huet Bay with its towering cliffs and views down the south coast. Just back from the cliffs is the prominent landmark of a monument to Lieutenant Governor Doyle, one of the architects of the island’s success and responsible for building the causeway linking the north and south parts of Guernsey.

The route back to Fermain Bay is easily found using the signposts and it’s just half an hour back to the beach, rejoining the coast path about half way back and then a short climb back up to the car park or hotel, a total of 1 hour 30 minutes in total for the walk and just the right moment for a welcoming cup of tea and cake.

St Peter Port to Fermain Bay

Approximately 1 hour

Another lovely walk, of moderate difficulty and with an easy route to follow, is the walk back from St Peter Port to Fermain Bay. This walk is a nice tonic after over indulging in either the heritage sites of the capital or, as in our case, lunch in one of the fabulous restaurants.

Taking the coast road out of town in a southerly direction past the entrance to the castle and beyond the end of the harbour wall, you pass by the town beach and connect with the path. The path starts either by following the road below the woods, past the underground military museum and the bathing pools before climbing up into the woods, or if preferred taking the path through the woods which starts some 20 yards further up the hill past the side road.

You may also find interesting:

• Guernsey - an enriching experience
• The Fermain Valley Hotel, Guernsey