Guests on Tour: Jersey, Guernsey & Sark

From the classroom to a hiking dream

Some travel dreams lie dormant for years before they finally come to life. In May 2026, I set out with Eurohike to explore the Channel Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, and Sark, but my fascination with these islands goes all the way back to the 1980s. Back in high school English class, the walls were decorated with posters promoting Great Britain. “Britain is great!”—that was the slogan.

Alongside images of castles, gardens, bobbies, and the White Cliffs of Dover, there were a few pictures I never would have associated with England: rugged coastlines, palm trees, and water so blue it looked almost tropical. That’s when my fascination with the Channel Islands began. But this interest lingered quietly in the back of my mind, and it would be many years before my hiking dream finally came true.

Finally, it’s time to begin: Jersey, here we come

Good things take time: Together with a friend, I’m finally setting off for the Channel Islands. My journey begins with a train ride from Switzerland, passing through Paris and on to St. Malo, where I meet up with my friend. The next day, we plan to take the ferry to Jersey. On our way to the harbor, we treat ourselves to a French croissant for breakfast, then check in for the ferry. At this time, Central Europe is gripped by a heatwave, and we’re hoping the Channel Islands will offer much more pleasant temperatures. With weather like this, the seats on the outdoor decks are in high demand, and the breeze feels wonderful. I’m convinced we’ve finally left the worst of the heat behind us, since the islands are bound to be a few degrees cooler and always breezy.

Female hiker walking down a path through lush green ferns toward a coastal bay with blue water and green hills under clear sky.

“It’s very hot today,” says the driver who greets us at the port in St. Helier and takes us to our hotel for the first three nights. “It’s extremely hot,” the receptionist remarks as we check in. They’re both right. But we’re here to hike, and we’re eager to set out on our first exploration tour from Bonne Nuit Bay to Bouley Bay today. Even the first bus ride feels like an adventure. The roads are incredibly narrow, often lined with tall stone walls. Along the way, we notice the beautiful gardens so typical of Great Britain. Here, palm trees grow and flowers bloom that you’d expect to see along the Mediterranean. Starting from Bonne Nuit Bay, the trail winds along the coast, weaving through lush green ferns. Every now and then, we find a shady spot. The views change with every curve and are simply stunning. Despite the unusually high temperatures slowing us down, we’re thrilled to be hiking here. By late afternoon, we’re walking more often in the shade of the cliffs. We take the bus back to St. Helier, saving our swim in the cool water for another day.

Winding coastal path on green cliffs above rocky coastline with blue sea. The trail leads along steep hillsides between Bonne Nuit Bay and Bouley Bay.

Lighthouse and beaches

We’re greeted warmly at the hotel in the morning, along with today’s weather forecast: it’s going to be even hotter than yesterday. We never expected such high summer temperatures, 34 degrees, here on Jersey. As planned, we set out for the La Corbière lighthouse and are lucky to arrive at low tide. The lighthouse is accessible via the causeway, so there’s no need to worry about the incoming water just yet. At high tide, the connection to the mainland is cut off, and it happens surprisingly fast.

Today’s hiking tour takes us along the coast to St. Aubin. We quickly notice how the landscape has changed since yesterday. The coastline is lined with bunkers, a reminder that the Channel Islands were once a key part of the Atlantic Wall. There are also older fortifications, like the Ouaisné Tower near St. Brelade. After a while, the stunning beaches of St. Brelade come into view, and we settle into a shady spot. The first steps into the sea feel wonderfully refreshing. It’s too cold for swimming, but standing knee-deep in the water is pure bliss. After this welcome cool-down, we continue our stage. One steep climb remains, then the path levels out and finally descends to the charming town of St. Aubin, whose beach stretches all the way to St. Helier.

La Corbière lighthouse on rocky outcrop surrounded by blue sea. Rugged coastal rocks in foreground under clear blue sky.

Sandy beach bay with turquoise water near Jersey, surrounded by green vegetation and rocky outcrops. Small boats visible in the calm sea.

Hiker with backpack and red shorts on coastal trail overlooking turquoise sea and rocky cliffs with green vegetation on the Channel Islands.

Orange sun setting over calm sea with silhouettes of Channel Islands visible on the horizon. Sky transitions from orange to purple.

Tracing history

With temperatures expected to reach 33 degrees today, we adjust our route, starting in L’Etacq and heading north. The path leads us past countless reminders of days gone by. At an old cannon, an elderly gentleman strikes up a conversation, sharing stories about his father, who lived on Jersey during World War II. As we’ve learned several times already, the islanders are wonderfully talkative. The friendly man could have chatted for hours, but we continue on, eager to reach the two beaches waiting for us today.

The coastline here is wild and rugged, the wind picks up, and we find a sheltered spot by the ruins of Château de Grosnez before setting off toward Plémont Bay. As soon as we round the coast and the bay comes into view, we understand what a “tidal beach” really means. Down by the rocks, a narrow strip of white and yellow sand is slowly claimed by the rising tide, until the waves crash right against the cliffs. Halfway between the sea and the plateau sits the Plémont Bay Café, the perfect place to watch the last stretch of beach disappear. A few adventurers—or perhaps daredevils—linger by the steps, playing in the waves as they creep ever closer to the shore. The grand finale of the day is our arrival at Grève de Lecq beach. Here, we wind down and take the plunge into the brisk 59-degree water. It feels amazing! We don’t leave the beach until 7 p.m., full of anticipation for our visit to the island of Guernsey the next day.

Grève de Lecq bay on Jersey with turquoise water, sandy beach, dramatic rocky cliffs, and green hillsides under blue sky.

Experience the Channel Islands

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Guernsey: Where emerald cliffs meet golden beaches

When we arrive in the hotel lobby at 6:30 a.m., the scent of fresh croissants greets us. Since we’re being picked up right away, we miss breakfast, but the kind hotel owner has packed a huge paper bag with a picnic breakfast for us, including two warm croissants. So we can still enjoy a relaxed breakfast while waiting for our ferry to Guernsey at the harbor. The ferry first passes the southern and western coast of Jersey, giving us one last look from the water at the places we explored over the past two days. The arrival in St. Peter Port is truly beautiful. The town is built into the surrounding hills, and our hotel sits a bit higher up. We take the bus to Jerbourg, where we circle the Pointe de Jerbourg and discover spectacular beaches, framed by emerald cliffs and teeming with birds.

The island feels similar to Jersey, yet it’s distinctly different, and we’re delighted by the change of scenery as we set out on the coastal path again. When we reach the stunning beach at Fermain Bay, we slip into our swimwear. We finally managed to swim in the sea yesterday, so we should be used to the water temperature by now, right? But somehow, we can’t bring ourselves to dive in today. The water seems a bit colder than in Jersey. Even just soaking our tired hiking feet is refreshing, and the beach is so uniquely beautiful, with so few visitors, that we feel lucky to be here. After our swim break, we hike back to the hotel and, for convenience, stay in the hotel restaurant for dinner. Later, I decide to take a walk to the harbor, and as I step outside, I find myself in another world: thick fog has rolled in, it’s windy and cool—a mystical, truly special atmosphere.

Hiker with backpack walking down coastal path surrounded by green vegetation and pink flowers, overlooking blue sea with distant islands.

Arriving on Sark

I’d been looking forward to today: We’re taking the ferry to Sark for a loop tour. This tiny island belongs to Guernsey and is about a 45-minute boat ride away. Since Sark is inhabited, the ferry isn’t just for visitors—it’s a lifeline for locals, too. We’re not feeling quite as energetic today, so we decide to shorten the stage and head straight for the Venus Pool at the far end of the island.

Winding coastal path on Sark with wooden railings along steep green cliffs. A small island is visible in the blue sea beyond.

Herm: Small but mighty

The next day, we’re set for a hike along Guernsey’s southern coast, but since my hiking shoes are giving me trouble, we opt for a loop tour on Herm instead. Herm is even smaller than Sark, with a handful of restaurants, a harbor, and a staircase where boats dock at low tide. The weather couldn’t be more perfect: sunshine and pleasant temperatures. Herm instantly wins my heart. It feels almost as if we have the island to ourselves. One side is lined with dramatic cliffs, while the other boasts some of the most stunning beaches and the most charming beach cafés I’ve ever seen. Behind the beaches, you’ll find rolling dunes, a small forest along the slopes, all packed into a tiny space. Herm is just over 2 kilometers long and less than 1 kilometer wide, yet it’s effortless to spend nearly the whole day here. Our hike takes us past Puffin Bay. We don’t spot any puffins, but even without them, our detour to Herm was absolutely worth it. We would have loved to explore the south of Guernsey, but since it’s already the last day of our tour, that’s sadly not possible. Tomorrow, we begin our journey home via Jersey, St. Malo, and Mont Saint Michel.

Passenger ferry sailing through turquoise waters near the Channel Islands. Green islands and rocky outcrops visible under blue sky with white clouds.

Green fern in foreground with coastal view of turquoise bay between green hillsides on Jersey, Channel Islands.

Our conclusion

After so many years, finally arriving at a place I’d been curious about for so long felt truly special. I don’t think I’ll return, since we probably explored most of the island’s highlights this week. Looking back, we were lucky with the weather. Admittedly, the heat was sometimes a challenge, but we managed it well by adjusting our plans. The perfect swimming weather was an unexpected bonus. Even though I had no idea what to expect, Jersey and Guernsey gave me an inspiring week full of new experiences, and I finally fulfilled a long-held dream.

Harbor view of St Peter Port with sailboats and pilot boat in foreground, colorful buildings rising on hillside with church dome visible.

Stone lighthouse at the end of a cobblestone pier in St. Peter Port. Visitors walk along the pier with blue sea and distant islands visible.

Stone cottage on Sark with white-framed windows and door, covered in green climbing vines. Colorful garden with pink and white flowers in front.

Narrow stone stairway in St Peter Port between old stone walls with purple flowers. Blue door visible on weathered stone wall.

Red and white lighthouse on stone pier in St. Malo harbor. Turquoise water, sandy beach, and historic walled city visible in background.

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