Channel Islands Guided Trail

Your leader will be at reception at 18:30 to meet the group and for a quick introduction to the holiday before dinner.

Today we leave St Peter Port on foot and enjoy views of the harbour and the imposing Castle Cornet. After ascending to Clarence Battery and Fort George we join a much more rural path to Fermain Bay, with its loop-holed tower. Crossing into St Martin’s parish we continue with stunning coastal views to Jerbourg Point. On a clear day this corner of the island offers fine views of the other Channel Islands and France. From Jerbourg, we join the south cliff path passing high above Moulin Huet Bay and Saint’s Bay en route to Icart Point and the incredibly pretty beach at Petit Bôt, before completing our walk close to Le Gouffre Nature Reserve. This is quite a tough, but beautiful walk. The coastal bus service offers an earlier return option for anyone who finds the complete walk a little long.

10 miles (16.5km) with 1,950 feet (600m) of ascent and 1,800 feet (540m) of descent.

Our boat journey from St Peter Port takes us directly to Sark in less than an hour and we begin our walk directly from the Maseline Harbour tunnel. Pretty country paths and car-free lanes quickly reach the south coast and our path meets extensive views over Derrible Bay. We soon reach Dixcart Bay and follow the rising cliff path, which offers wonderful views out to sea before crossing La Coupée – a narrow isthmus leading to Little Sark. Little Sark offers quiet lanes, cliff views, charming houses and the remains of silver mines. Back on Sark, we follow the Rue du Sermon into the village and pass La Seigneurie before looping the island’s rocky northern headland. Returning to the village initially, our route then drops back to the harbour for our return boat.

9 miles (14.5km) with 1,250 feet (380m) of ascent and 1,2502 feet (380m) of descent

Relax and enjoy the islands ambience or set off and explore independently – options in St Peter Port include Victor Hugo’s Hauteville House, Guernsey Museum & Candie Gardens, Castle Cornet, and La Valette Military museum. Other suggestions on the island include Sausmarez Manor & Gardens, the Little Chapel, Fort Grey, the German Underground Hospital & the German Occupation Museum. Further afield, there’s the possibility of a trip to Alderney (there are daily flights which you’d need to book independently and in advance), where there’s well sign posted walks exploring the island.

Our second walk on Guernsey continues from Le Gouffre and rejoins the rugged south coast. The cliff path here has some fairly steep ups and downs but the Pleinmont Headland rewards us with wonderful views out towards Hanois Lighthouse, nature reserves and commanding historic towers. After the mysterious-looking Fairy Ring, we re-join civilisation at Portelet Harbour. From here we can enjoy the contrast of walking on Guernsey’s west coast, which features a succession of wide sweeping bays with views of defences like the iconic Fort Grey and Lihou Island, the most westerly point in the Channel Islands. Our final destination for the day is pretty Vazon Bay, which is protected by the imposing Fort Hommet. This is quite a tough, but beautiful walk. The coastal bus service offers a return option for anyone who finds the complete walk a little long.

12 miles (19.5km) with 1,350 feet (400m) of ascent and 1,700 feet (520m) of descent.

A morning sailing takes us over to the tiny island of Herm, to the east of St Peter Port, in just 15 minutes. Despite being so close to Guernsey, the smallest island on the Channel Island Way is a world away from bustling St Peter Port. Regardless of whether the boat lands at the harbour or Rosaire Steps we progress south with views to Jethou Island (privately leased by philanthropist Sir Peter Ogden). The undulating cliff path winds around to the island’s east coast and the views are often inundated with seabirds. From Belvoir Bay the walk levels out and we pass pretty Shell Beach and loop across the green. With our circuit complete, the quaint harbour village offers a souvenir shop and refreshments at the Mermaid Tavern.

4 miles (6.5km) with 150 feet (40m) of ascent and descent.

Continuing from Vazon Bay, our final walk on Guernsey completes our circuit of the island. We carry on along the islander’s playground, past sandy beaches and seagrass dunes dotted with rocky granite outcrops. At Le Grand Havre we reach Vale, which, before human intervention, was once separated by water from the rest of Guernsey. Now at the north of the island, we pass the Megalithic passage grave of La Varde and the beautiful L’Ancresse Bay en route to Fort Doyle. From here the pretty harbours of Bordeaux and St Sampson lead us back to the Esplanade in St Peter Port and our starting point.

15 miles (24.5km) with 750 feet (240m) of ascent and descent.

On our Fully Escorted departures, your HF Holidays leader will meet you at the airport prior to your flight and will travel with you to your hotel ready to start your holiday. 

Please meet your HF Holidays Leader 2 hours 30 minutes before your flight departure London Gatwick – South Terminal: 

Group Meeting Point - designated Group Meeting Point - South terminal - Departures & Security Landside - WHSmiths. Look out for the HF Holidays sign. 

Your HF Holidays Leader will then travel with you to the hotel, helping you settle in and ensuring a smooth and enjoyable start to your holiday.  

Today we leave St Peter Port on foot and enjoy views of the harbour and the imposing Castle Cornet. After ascending to Clarence Battery and Fort George we join a much more rural path to Fermain Bay, with its loop-holed tower. Crossing into St Martin’s parish we continue with stunning coastal views to Jerbourg Point. On a clear day this corner of the island offers fine views of the other Channel Islands and France. From Jerbourg, we join the south cliff path passing high above Moulin Huet Bay and Saint’s Bay en route to Icart Point and the incredibly pretty beach at Petit Bôt, before completing our walk close to Le Gouffre Nature Reserve. This is quite a tough, but beautiful walk. The coastal bus service offers an earlier return option for anyone who finds the complete walk a little long.

10 miles (16.5km) with 1,950 feet (600m) of ascent and 1,800 feet (540m) of descent.

Our boat journey from St Peter Port takes us directly to Sark in less than an hour and we begin our walk directly from the Maseline Harbour tunnel. Pretty country paths and car-free lanes quickly reach the south coast and our path meets extensive views over Derrible Bay. We soon reach Dixcart Bay and follow the rising cliff path, which offers wonderful views out to sea before crossing La Coupée – a narrow isthmus leading to Little Sark. Little Sark offers quiet lanes, cliff views, charming houses and the remains of silver mines. Back on Sark, we follow the Rue du Sermon into the village and pass La Seigneurie before looping the island’s rocky northern headland. Returning to the village initially, our route then drops back to the harbour for our return boat.

9 miles (14.5km) with 1,250 feet (380m) of ascent and 1,2502 feet (380m) of descent

A morning sailing takes us over to the tiny island of Herm, to the east of St Peter Port, in just 15 minutes. Despite being so close to Guernsey, the smallest island on the Channel Island Way is a world away from bustling St Peter Port. Regardless of whether the boat lands at the harbour or Rosaire Steps we progress south with views to Jethou Island (privately leased by philanthropist Sir Peter Ogden). The undulating cliff path winds around to the island’s east coast and the views are often inundated with seabirds. From Belvoir Bay the walk levels out and we pass pretty Shell Beach and loop across the green. With our circuit complete, the quaint harbour village offers a souvenir shop and refreshments at the Mermaid Tavern.

4 miles (6.5km) with 150 feet (40m) of ascent and descent.

Relax and enjoy the islands ambience or set off and explore independently – options in St Peter Port include Victor Hugo’s Hauteville House, Guernsey Museum & Candie Gardens, Castle Cornet, and La Valette Military museum. Other suggestions on the island include Sausmarez Manor & Gardens, the Little Chapel, Fort Grey, the German Underground Hospital & the German Occupation Museum. Further afield, there’s the possibility of a trip to Alderney (there are daily flights which you’d need to book independently and in advance), where there’s well sign posted walks exploring the island.

Our second walk on Guernsey continues from Le Gouffre and rejoins the rugged south coast. The cliff path here has some fairly steep ups and downs but the Pleinmont Headland rewards us with wonderful views out towards Hanois Lighthouse, nature reserves and commanding historic towers. After the mysterious-looking Fairy Ring, we re-join civilisation at Portelet Harbour. From here we can enjoy the contrast of walking on Guernsey’s west coast, which features a succession of wide sweeping bays with views of defences like the iconic Fort Grey and Lihou Island, the most westerly point in the Channel Islands. Our final destination for the day is pretty Vazon Bay, which is protected by the imposing Fort Hommet. This is quite a tough, but beautiful walk. The coastal bus service offers a return option for anyone who finds the complete walk a little long.

12 miles (19.5km) with 1,350 feet (400m) of ascent and 1,700 feet (520m) of descent.

Continuing from Vazon Bay, our final walk on Guernsey completes our circuit of the island. We carry on along the islander’s playground, past sandy beaches and seagrass dunes dotted with rocky granite outcrops. At Le Grand Havre we reach Vale, which, before human intervention, was once separated by water from the rest of Guernsey. Now at the north of the island, we pass the Megalithic passage grave of La Varde and the beautiful L’Ancresse Bay en route to Fort Doyle. From here the pretty harbours of Bordeaux and St Sampson lead us back to the Esplanade in St Peter Port and our starting point.

15 miles (24.5km) with 750 feet (240m) of ascent and descent.