WALKING AROUND JERSEY'S COASTLINE - 51 MILES

ABOUT THE WALK & MY STORY -

Six years ago I walked around the coastline of Guernsey, Sark, Herm and Alderney, and gazed across the sea to Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands. I never expected to wait so long before my boots were crunching along its shore. But in a way, I was  glad I waited, for I was pleasantly surprised to find this was the most complete and attractive island of the archipelago. Although only some 9 miles wide (east to west) by 5 miles deep (south to north), it has some of the finest mixture of coastal walking in Britain. From long sandy beaches to the rugged north coast; both full of historical military  defences, picturesque villages, wild flowers and seabirds.

I based myself in St. Helier and with a regular bus service it was easy to get back to the Capital and out again to where I had left off, the previous day. Being no campsites close to the coast, it does not lend itself to backpacking, but there are many hotels along the coast. I spread the route over three days for the 55 miles. The shortest was 14 and the longest 25! I set off in the Easter sunshine and walked clockwise, getting nicely tanned in the process. The first day from St. Helier to Jersey Pearl, some 16 miles, was a mixture of rugged headlands, amazing churches, military bunkers and beautiful sandy
beaches. The next day was shorter, because of bus times, 14 miles to Bonne Nuit Bay, but mostly along cliff paths with an abundance of wild daffodils down the slopes. A side trip brought me to the collapsed cave of Devil’s Hole, with a large devil nearby!

I was back early the next day and continued along the cliff path towards Giffard Bay. Suddenly, after a mile it went pitch black and a massive thunder storm erupted over the exposed slopes. My rain gear was soon on but in the torrential downpour I was immediately soaked to the skin; as was the contents of my rucksack! One minute the storm was overhead and next twelve miles away, but it came back twice. I reached Bouley Bay as the rain eased. My camera
battery's choose this moment to die and as an off chance I asked at the Hungry Man Cafe, if they had any. Amazingly the owner had a pack in the car and refused to accept any money for them. I bought a mug of tea and helped them close the shutters as the weather had ruined the day for them. Later I learnt the storm was the worst in living memory; I had enjoyed walking the cliffs. as the thunder rolled and made the day more memorable.

As my rain gear dried out I pressed on along the cliffs to Rozel Bay and St.Catherine's and its breakwater. The sun was now out as I reached Gorey and its magnificent castle; for me this is the most beautiful place on the island. Then it was along the sandy beaches to La Rocque Point and around St. Clement’s Bay back to St. Helier - an eight hour walk. I reached my hotel with just the tops of shorts still wet from the morning storm.

As always, I was sad the walk was over, for you become very attached to a walk. I returned to Gorey, the next day, to explore the castle more fully and visited Samares Manor and its impressive gardens. The next day, my last full day on the island I walked around St. Aubin's Bay before walking through the Waterways Valley, across the island to St. John. A delightful walk with red squirrels and reservoirs and trickling streams. Beyond St. John’s Village I
regained the cliff path and saw where I had walked in the storm. Later back in St. Helier I waited for the tide to go out and walked across to Elizabeth Castle to see St. Helier’s hermitage.

Jersey proved a magical island and arguably one of the most complete in terms of variety. The next day I was on the high speed ferry back to Poole and home, but full of very fond memories of this enchanting isle.

A5 Guide. Wire bound.

Embrodered cloth bdge and signed certificate from John Merrill for succesful walkers.

Names added to my Walkers Roll of Honour page.