Walking Routes

About Walking Routes in Guernsey

Available to enjoy at any time of year, and always different as the seasons change, Guernsey’s walking routes are made even more engaging with audio guides that you can download from the Visit Guernsey website that showcase Guernsey at its best. The audio guides give a full audio transcript and interactive map that highlights all the points of interest along the way.

From rambling over the island's cliffpaths to exploring the charming streets of St. Peter Port, Guernsey has so much to offer in its small yet diverse 25 square miles.

These suggested routes are designed with all walkers in mind. Whether you have years of hiking experience or would prefer a simple stroll around the lanes, there's something for everyone. You'll find each journey punctuated with some of the island's finest restaurants, cafes and beach kiosks, offering a quick snack or full relaxing meal to give you a real taste of Guernsey.

Should you prefer a fully guided walk you can join a group led by an accredited Walking Guide and more details can be found with at Guernsey Guided Tours.

Seafront, Bombings and Historic Gardens

St Peter Port is said to have one of the prettiest harbours in Europe and is where you begin this walk. The Second World War had a huge impact on the island and this route will take you past the site of a 1940 bombing that claimed the lives of 33 islanders. Two days later, the island would start a five-year long German occupation.

Witches, castles and famous French writers

St Peter Port is built on a hill as this walk ably demonstrates. Starting at Town Church, you climb upwards to Victor Hugo's house, a veritable treasure trove. On the way, discover a plaque dedicated to three women who lost their lives after being accused of witchcraft, once a common practice in the Island. At the top, is an area where an ancient fort once stood. If offers wonderful panoramic views of the town and beyond.

Forts, Cannons & Lookout Towers

As you leave the town of St Peter Port behind, a whole new set of discoveries lay ahead. The area just above the town was once a fort and also a base for the occupying forces during the Second World War. Beyond are the Bluebell Woods which turn into a stunning carpet of blue in the month of April, an ideal spot to take a picnic. Fermain Bay itself was once home to a quaint ferry service which ran here from the town and it is in this area we come across one of the 15 loop-holed towers built in around 1778 to defend the island against a potential invasion by Napoleon and his troops. There are plenty of places to eat in the area, either at Fermain itself or further up the hill that slopes upwards from the bay.

Island Views, Sweeping Headlands & Rocky Outcrops

This section of the walk leads you to the south-east corner of our island towards one of our most outstanding natural features, the Pea Stacks, a line of large rocks just off the coast. One of Guernsey's significant monuments, the Doyle Column, can be found en route standing in an area that offers spectacular views overlooking our neighbouring islands and the Little Russell.

Download the Island Views, Sweeping Headlands & Rocky Outcrops audio guide and route.

Secret Coves, Winding Paths & Renoir's Favourite Bay

This cliff-top walk affords glimpses of pretty coves and beautiful bays, once so admired by the artist Renoir that he completed a series of paintings of the area. Victor Hugo, too, was a great fan and often took the opportunity to picnic here with his friends. For the modern visitor, a café and its garden at Moulin Huet, once the site of a watermill, provide a welcome place to rest for refreshments.

Fishing Harbours, Panoramic Views & Wartime Tales

The views from this section of coastline are truly spectacular, with a panoramic outlook across Moulin Huet, Jerbourg headland and even France on a clear day. These cliffs are composed of some of the oldest rock in Europe and play host in springtime to a myriad of wildflowers. Because of their isolation, the beaches here were used during the Second World War by British spies to get onto the island unseen and gain useful information about the enemy invaders.

Download the Fishing Harbours, Panoramic Views & Wartime Tales audio guide and route.

Rugged Cliffs, Caves & Roman Ruins

One of the more challenging walks, this section of the South Coast definitely merits the time and effort as there is plenty to explore. Petit Bôt is one of the prettiest bays in Guernsey and was once guarded by a loop-holed tower which is still standing some two hundred years later.

Nature's Pool & Smuggler's Hideout

This section of the coastline is the most rugged terrain you will come across and, for that reason, these cliffs are very popular with more serious walkers. En route, you will discover the remains of fortifications, both ancient and more modern, and the largest cave in Guernsey.

Occupation Reminders & Folklore Legend

This walk leads to the south-west corner of the Island. German fortifications are strung along this particular section of cliffs, two such being L'Angle, a direction-finding tower, and the imposing Batterie Dollmann, a command post.

Download the Occupation Reminders & Folklore Legend audio guide and route.

Fairies, Forts & Deadly Shipwrecks

There is so much to see on this walk from ancient monuments, to a shipwreck museum housed in a Martello Tower, vast sandy beaches and an island cut off by the tide.

Download the Fairies, Forts & Deadly Shipwrecks audio guide and route.

A Wildlife Haven, a Witch's Haunt & a Tiny Chapel

For those who love wildlife, this walk is a treat. We start with the Shingle Bank which hosts a wealth of flora and fauna. Across the road is the Colin Best Nature Reserve and La Claire Mare, a low-lying saline wetland. Beyond lies the headland known as Le Catioroc, home to Le Trépied dolmen, so-called because of its three capstones. In local folklore, this site was known for being the haunt of witches.

Sweeping Bays & Headland Forts

We start at Fort Hommet, a fascinating headland which combines a nature reserve and important historical site. Both Vazon and Cobo Bay are popular areas with locals and visitors and, as such, are full of great places to eat ranging from fine dining to beach kiosks, traditional tearooms and a popular fish and chip shop. In fact, one of the most popular things to do in this part of the island is head there for an evening picnic and watch the beautiful sunsets.

From Nature Reserves to Ancient Settlements

This lovely gentle short walk takes in a stretch of coastline that encompasses a rare wetland habitat, Guernsey's only remaining quarry and the ubiquitous loop-holed tower. Beyond Port Soif and its popular kiosk, lies a nature conservation area and vestiges of ancient settlements.

Fishing Ports Prehistoric Tombs & sweeping Common Land

This wild and beautiful part of Guernsey's coastline is made up largely of common land and is a major recreational area with a golf course, edged with long sandy beaches.

Download the Fishing Ports Prehistoric Tombs & sweeping Common Land audio guide and route.

Beautiful Bays, Marinas & Castles

The North coast offers the walker a gentle terrain with a long beautiful shoreline. The picturesque Beaucette Marina, once a quarry, is now a quiet haven. Pause here to eat in the the Gold Award Restaurant at Beaucette which overlooks the colourful yachts moored in the marina. A short detour inland brings you to one of the most fascinating prehistoric sites in the Island. Back on the coast, you come to a tiny harbour which overlooks our neighbouring islands and the remains of a most impressive castle.

Download the Beautiful Bays, Marinas & Castles audio guide and route.

Castles & Towers Lead Back to the Capital

This section of Guernsey's coastline was once home to the island's shipbuilding industry and is now the hub for our power supplies and light industry. The area known as The Bridge is now popular for shopping but, as its name alludes to, was once the main crossing point when Guernsey was effectively two islands. The harbour itself was once a thriving port in the late 1800s when as many as 30 ships and 300 sailors came into town. Nowadays, however, local boats bob in the calm waters of a marina built in 2005.

Download the Castles & Towers Lead Back to the Capital audio guide and route.

Islets, Dolmens & Pretty Harbours

This walk loops inland from , taking in some lovely sea views and a visit to the Dehus Dolmen, one of the most fascinating prehistoric sites in the Island. This is free to enter and features 'Le Guardian du Tombeau', a remarkable carving highlighted by a beam of light that brings it to life.

Download the Islets, Dolmens & Pretty Harbours audio guide and route.

Nature Trails, Restored Historic Gardens & Woods

This walk through the parish of the Castel varies from gentle country lanes to a climb up to a headland with spectacular views over Cobo Bay.

A Rural Stroll Reveals a Unique Chapel

This lovely inland walk takes you through St Andrew's, the only parish to have no coastline. It has beautiful scenery with picturesque valleys, fields and woodland. You will come across a number of traditional old buildings in the area including a former water mill that was built in the early 1700s, although there has been one on the site since the 1300s.

Download the A Rural Stroll Reveals a Unique Chapel audio guide and route.

Ancient Watering Holes to a Grand Manor House

This walk explores the beautiful floral parish of St Martin's from its ancient church to its grand manor house.

Occupation Memories & Smugglers Tales

This country walk takes you down narrow leafy lanes and past beautiful granite farmhouses. En route you will pass the parish church which dates back to the 13th century, a museum chronicling the German occupation and a pretty hamlet which was reputedly the haunt of smugglers.

Download the Occupation Memories & Smugglers Tales audio guide and route.

Peace & Quiet Following Nature's Own Trail

This very pleasant walk takes you around Guernsey's St Saviour's Reservoir which supplies 25 percent of the Island's water. The route which covers a distance of two miles gives unique vistas of the sea and inland Guernsey at the same time.

Walk in the Footsteps of the Les Miserables Author Victor Hugo

This St Peter Port walk will lead you around some of Victor Hugo's favourite St Peter Port haunts. The Les Miserables author spent 15 years in exile in Guernsey from 1855 and the island provided the inspiration for many of his well-known works.

Fascinating Architecture, Migrant Birds & Coastal Views - Alderney

Alderney is the most northerly of the Channel Islands and closest to France. Small, friendly and relaxed, the island has its own unique identity and is a paradise for nature lovers with a combination of beautiful landscapes and abundant wildlife.

Download the Fascinating Architecture, Migrant Birds & Coastal Views audio guide and route.

Island Views, Stunning Scenery & Historical Interests - Sark

The Island of Sark has a fascinating history and stunning and dramatic scenery. A short fifty minute ferry ride takes you to Sark's cliff harbour where you will be transported by tractor to the top of Harbour Hill. Here you will find that the only modes of transport are horse and carriage or bicycle, with some tractors being used by working Sarkees. Sark is a walker's paradise with breathtaking cliff views and much to discover.

Sandy Beaches, Cliff Paths & Ancient Pathways - Herm

For a tiny Island Herm has a fascinating history and so visiting is a must for visitors and locals alike. A short twenty minute ferry ride takes you to one of two landing points where you will discover peace and tranquillity. This Tasty Walk will take you around this beautiful Island where you will find breathtaking views.

Clifftop Paths, La Coupee & Little Sark

This moderate walk features floral paths, mysterious tales of days gone by, Little Sark and the legacy of local legends. The walk will take around 2 and a half hours at a steady pace.

A Fortifying Ramble Across Scrumptious Sands - Alderney

Discover the island's bountiful beaches, secret bird hides and impressive wartime fortifications on this 1.5-2 hour walk which takes in the very best of Alderney's coastal paths.

The Brock Brothers' Walk

Guernsey brothers Isaac and Daniel de Lisle Brock were pioneers of the 19th century. The family wealth came through trade. Major-General Sir Isaac Brock was a British Army officer assigned to Canada and became known as ‘The Hero of Upper Canada’ when he led the country’s defence against the United States. Walk in the footsteps of the island’s famous forefathers and discover this prominent family’s influence on the Guernsey we see today.

Potato Peel Pie Occupation Walk in St Peter Port

Walk in Juliet’s footsteps and explore the locations mentioned in the bestselling book “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” whilst learning about the Island’s occupation during the Second World War.

Download the Potato Peel Pie Occupation Walk in St Peter Port audio guide and route.

Potato Peel Pie Occupation Walk in St Martins

Explore the lanes of St Martin’s where Dawsey, Amelia, Isola and Eben all lived and take in the breath-taking scenery of the south coast cliffs which are to this day dotted with remnants of the German Occupation.

Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society Walking Trail

Explore some of the locations mentioned in the bestselling book “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” whilst learning about the Island’s occupation during the Second World War.

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