Guernsey Coastal Path

St Peter Port to Petit Bôt Bay

The opening stretch of the coastal path from St Peter Port to Fermain Bay happens to be one of the most popular walks on the island. Although relatively short, the path features numerous ascents and descents on flights of steps, with just enough woodland in places to give it a jungle-like feel, rather than a coastal walk. In spring, the path is adorned with a lovely carpet of bluebells, adding to the scenic beauty. Marker stones carved with place names guide the way to Fermain Bay, but be cautious of paths that lead steeply down to beaches and bays, as they usually result in having to climb back up!

Next up is Jerbourg Point which is also especially attractive when carpeted in flowers, and the vibrant colours help distract from the concrete structures built during the German Occupation. A network of cliff and coastal paths allow for a little variation on this stretch of the path.

Rugged bays and headlands flank Icart Point, providing ever-changing views, as the well-trodden path stretches round Saints Bay, Le Jaonnet Bay and on to Petit Bôt Bay.

Petit Bôt Bay to Vazon

The trail from Petit Bôt Bay to Pointe de la Moye, Le Gouffre and La Corbière is fairly adaptable, featuring numerous spur paths that invite exploration of the rugged headlands. Beyond La Corbière, expect a series of steps, ascending and descending, as you make your way to a prominent German observation tower at La Prévôté.

From La Prévôté to Mont Herault, a picturesque stretch of cliff path connects the German observation tower to an older watch house, offering breathtaking cliff views along the way.

The Pleinmont peninsula, located at the extreme southwestern tip of Guernsey, is rich in historical and natural attractions. Here, you’ll find various lookouts and fortifications, ranging from small coastal batteries to large German bunkers and an imposing observation tower. The dramatic cliff scenery is complemented by an abundance of flowers and shrubs, and is a prime location for bird watching, with over 150 species recorded.

Beyond here is Rocquaine Bay. Your route will depend on the tide. At high tide, the only option is to follow a busy road that lacks a continuous pavement. However, at low tide, a beautiful sandy beach becomes accessible, offering a more pleasant walking experience. Though the walk around the bay is short, it is dotted with points of interest. Additionally, an optional extension to the island of Lihou is possible, but only at low water during spring tides.

Vazon to Les Dicqs

This section of the walk is really quite easy and starts with a pleasant stroll along the promenade. As you continue, the path meanders around a picturesque headland dominated by the historic Fort Hommet. Easy coastal paths and road walking lead you seamlessly to Cobo Bay, a charming destination known for its scenic beauty.

Don’t miss the opportunity to climb up to Le Guet, a fine rocky viewpoint offering breathtaking panoramas. This short detour is especially rewarding on clear days, providing an unparalleled view of the surrounding coastline.

The easy walking continues as the trail winds around low, flowery points, eventually bringing you to the tranquil shores of Port Soif.

Between Port Soif and Le Dicqs, you’ll encounter four delightful little headlands and five picturesque bays. Despite the proximity of the main coastal road, the area boasts plenty of coastal paths, and a well maintained footpath and cycleway run alongside the road, ensuring a pleasant and safe journey. This stretch of rugged coastal beauty, and accessible pathways, makes for a truly memorable experience.

Les Dicqs to St Peter Port

The final section of the trail includes all the headlands and bays on the north coast; Grand Havre, Baie de la Jaonneuse, L’Ancresse Bay and Fontelle Bay.

Take time to savour this stretch. There is a small fortification, Fort Pembroke, on the headland by Baie de la Jaonneuse which is worthy of hugging the coastline for.

L’Ancresse Common is a large public grassy common bordered by several beautiful beaches. This area is rich in history, featuring fortifications from the Napoleonic era and World War II bunkers, along with other significant historic sites. The common also boasts several ancient burial sites, including the La Varde Passage Grave & Millennium Stone, Les Fouaillages, and the Le Dehus Burial Chamber, each offering a fascinating glimpse into the region’s distant past.

Located at Fontenelle Bay on Guernsey’s northern shore is Fort Doyle. Completed in 1805, the fort was an integral part of the island’s fortification network designed to defend against potential French invasions. Initially, the fort was equipped with three 18-pounder cannons. During World War II, the occupying German forces significantly reinforced the area, adding three coastal defense guns, anti-aircraft guns, and mortars, making it a formidable stronghold.

Heading south, a simple walk round the built-up Belle Greve leads to the harbour in St Peter Port.

Easy to Moderate

Guernsey has a gentle landscape and with the exception of one 13 mile day on our shorter itinerary, daily trail distances don’t exceed 11 miles, in fact most days vary between just 7 and 9 miles, therefore the vast majority of walkers will find walking the Guernsey Coastal Path a really comfortable experience.

Terrain: A combination of cliff and coastal paths, sandy beaches, some woodland, grassy commons and a few short stretches of road walking.

What’s it like underfoot? For the most part the trail is on firm, dry surfaces, however some stretches can become muddy following heavy rain. Some of the steeper slopes benefit from concrete steps.

How Much Up & Down? Although the coastline is undulating and some sections have numerous ascents and descents, there are no hills to speak of and you will rarely find yourself much above 330 feet (100m).

Signposting & Navigation: There are very few signposts or waymarkers, however the guidebook is incredibly detailed and supported with a 1:15,000 map, therefore you should find it really straightforward. Helpfully, private roads and tracks tend to be clearly marked as such. Once out of built up areas and onto the trail coastal paths tend to be fairly easy to follow. Often there are several tracks, splitting for a time, then meeting up again.

It is important to note that Guernsey has one of the world’s biggest tidal ranges. As much as 40 feet (12m) at spring tides. Please pay close attention to the tide tables and avoid venturing onto the beach when the tide is incoming as you can quickly become cut off. Do not attempt to walk from beach to beach around the foot the cliffs!

Weather: The weather on Guernsey tends to be a touch milder than the south of England, however you must be prepared because the weather can change quickly. Autumn is generally the wettest season. Whatever the time of year ensure you wear comfortable footwear and carry reliable waterproofs. It is important you carry plenty of water on warm days. As always, pack your floppy hat and sun cream!

Good accommodation and friendly hosts are an essential part of any holiday. We understand this and go out of our way to find the best. We put a great deal of effort into hand picking our accommodation and matching it to individual customer requirements. As well as visiting the accommodation ourselves, we ask all our customers to complete a short evaluation on each night’s accommodation, which then gives us an insight into the day-to-day operation and lets us spot any potential issues before they become a problem.

We use a variety of accommodation on Guernsey including family run bed and breakfast, small characterful country hotels and large luxury seafront hotels.

We are happy to book single rooms on our holidays but cannot normally book more than two for any one group. Single room bookings include a supplement.

Here are some examples of the accommodation we use on the Guernsey Coastal Path:

You are assured of a very warm welcome at the family run Le Chêne B&B near Petit Bot Bay. This former manor house is full of character and even boasts a free to use open air pool. A jacuzzi and sauna are available too for a small supplementary fee. Wednesday and Sunday are tapas nights at Le Chêne throughout high season. Visit their website

Nestled in the lanes of Castel, close to Vazon Bay, is Fleur du Jardin, a relaxed country hotel, bar and restaurant. The restaurant serves local and seasonal food wherever possible. In addition to its individually designed rooms, decorated in a mix of modern and antique furnishings, Fleur du Jardin has spacious gardens and an outdoor pool. Visit their website

Le Pommier is a newly refurbished boutique hotel, set within five acres of gardens, close to Coby Bay. Their restaurant, with its ever-evolving seasonal menus, feature fresh, locally sourced ingredients. You can relax in the heated outdoor pool, and have your food served right to your table on the spacious decking. Visit their website

A warm welcome awaits at the Peninsula Hotel. This modern hotel, bar and restaurant is located on a picturesque headland at Les Dicqs on the north-west coast of the island. The Peninsula is home to the island’s only lobby bar and the restaurant boasts an impressive menu sourcing a range of local produce. There is a large heated outdoor pool to enjoy too. Visit their website

General travel information for the Guernsey Coastal Path will be in your holiday pack.

Detailed instructions on getting to your first night’s accommodation by car, or on foot from the nearest bus station, will also be included in the holiday pack on individual accommodation maps.

To view bus timetables please see CT Plus 

Getting to St Peter Port:

By Air: Guernsey has an International Airport (GCI) located in the parish of Forest. Flights operate to Guernsey from over a dozen British airports as well as several airports in France and Switzerland. Buses run regularly between the airport and the capital, St Peter Port.

By Ferry: Ferries from Britain sail to St Peter Port from Poole and Portsmouth, while ferries from France sail from St Malo.

Getting Back:

As this is a circular route you will be walking back to your starting location so you can depart by the same means you arrived.

St Peter Port

Located on Guernsey’s east coast with stunning views out to neighbouring islands of Herm and Sark, St Peter Port is a picturesque town with charming cobbled streets, blending history with exceptional restaurants and delightful local shops. It is also home to the 800 year old Castle Cornet as well as Hauteville House, once the home of Victor Hugo, and now a fascinating museum.

Popularly known as ‘Town’, St Peter Port is the island-hopping centre of the Bailiwick. Consider a day trip to Herm or Sark with our friends at Island Coachways.

Petit Bot Bay

All our Petit Bot Bay accommodations lie about a mile or so inland making them the perfect place from which to explore the German Underground Hospital and Ammunition Store, just a 30 minute or so walk, or a short bus ride away. Covering an area of roughly 6,950 square metres (75,000 square feet) this vast maze of tunnels is the largest structural reminder of the German Occupation of the Channel Islands.

Vazon

If you’d like an active beach day then Vazon Bay is the place to be. Why not try surfing? Guernsey Surf School are based at the bay and they teach all abilities. There’s plenty of great food on offer at Vazon Bay with everything from light snacks and ice cream through to rooftop dining with amazing views of the beach.

Nearby, inland, is St Saviour's Reservoir and Nature Reserve. It's the largest reservoir on the island and is home to ducks, waders and occasionally kingfishers. Firecrests and flycatchers find cover in the conifers along the shore. The path around the reservoir is known as the Millennnium Walk.

Cobo

Beautiful white sands and crystal clear waters make Cobo Bay one of Guernsey’s most popular beaches. Enjoy a dip in the inviting waters and at low tide take time to explore the rock pools. Just across the road there’s an amazing selection of food on offer. Choose from gastro pubs, tearooms and kiosks all serving delicious cuisine.

Nearby, inland, is Saumarez Park, the largest public park on the island. It's home to the  National Trust of Guernsey's Folk and Costume Museum and features large open grass lawns and a duck pond, as well as a fine collection of huge camellias and magnolias. There is a delightful wooded perimeter path around the park.