by Imi Dobber from Visit Jersey
The Jersey Tidal Trail is one of those rare walking routes where the landscapes that surround you seem to transform before your eyes, shaped by the ebb and flow of some of the largest tides in the world. This remarkable 48-mile circular trail encircles the island, following its coastline in a continuous journey that is as much about the rhythm of the sea as it is about the beauty of the land. At low tide, Jersey almost doubles in size, revealing vast expanses of golden sand, rocky outcrops, and hidden pathways that just hours earlier lay beneath the waves. It is a place where each step tells part of the island’s story, from its ancient origins and medieval strongholds to the vibrant communities and abundant wildlife that call it home today.
Walking here is a tonic for both body and soul. The cliff-top paths of the north coast offer the sort of heart-quickening exercise that leaves you glowing with energy, while the southern and eastern stretches provide gentler strolls between charming fishing harbours, sandy beaches, and welcoming village cafés. You might choose to tackle the whole trail over several days as a walking holiday, or simply pick one or two of the eight mapped sections, each with its own character. Some walkers begin with the most challenging stretch, the breathtaking north coast. From Grève de Lecq to Bouley Bay, the arresting undulating cliff paths rise and fall with 780 metres of ascent, rewarding your effort with dramatic sea views. Others prefer to start with the softer terrain of the south coast, where the route dips in and out of pretty bays, passing seaside villas and colourful fishing boats bobbing in the harbours. Wherever you choose to begin, Jersey’s compact size and excellent bus network means you can explore at your own pace, pausing for a long lunch, hopping inland to a museum, or skipping ahead to the next section that catches your eye.
As you follow the trail, history is never far away. On the eastern coast, Mont Orgueil Castle rises from the shoreline, a medieval fortress that has guarded the island for over 800 years, its stone walls and towers commanding sweeping views across to the coast of France. Further west, Elizabeth Castle sits proudly on a rocky islet in St. Aubin’s Bay, accessible on foot at low tide or by amphibious ferry when the sea returns. The coastline is also dotted with more recent defences; concrete bunkers, observation towers and gun emplacements left from the German Occupation of the island during the World War II, each one a poignant reminder of Jersey’s historical significance. Some of these have been restored and now house small museums or exhibitions, while others remain as silent sentinels on the headlands.
For a truly immersive experience, you can even stay overnight in some of the island’s remarkable heritage sites through Jersey Heritage or the Jersey National Trust, from the restored 19th-century Fort Leicester to historic coastal towers and keepers’ cottages, where you’ll fall asleep surrounded by history, and wake up to uninterrupted sea views.
Nature, too, has its own way of telling the island’s story. In spring, coastal wildflowers carpet the cliff paths with splashes of pink, yellow and white, while summer brings seabirds wheeling overhead and the tang of seaweed drying in the sun. Autumn is a time for birdwatchers, as migratory species stop to rest and feed on the island’s shores, and winter days reveal the raw power of the Atlantic waves. Rockpools teem with marine life, and if you pause to look carefully you might spot crabs, anemones, and tiny fish darting between the stones. Offshore, dolphins and seals can be spotted playing in the surf, and Jersey remains the only place in the British Isles where the endangered Green Lizards still thrive in their native habitat. The tidal flats of the Royal Bay of Grouville are also home to the largest oyster beds in the British Isles, which have been cultivated here for centuries, gracing tables of restaurants and pubs across the island and beyond.
One of the joys of the Jersey Tidal Trail is that it offers constant opportunities to refuel in style, whether that means a local ale and a crab sandwich in a harbourside pub, or a three-course dinner in a restaurant with panoramic sea views. Jersey’s food scene celebrates its local produce with pride, from freshly dug Jersey Royals and sea-to-plate lobster to delicious Jersey dairy produced by the island’s famous cows. A detour to La Mare Wine Estate in the parish of St. Mary is a treat for the senses, allowing you to tour the vineyards, distillery and cider orchard, sample the award-winning wines and spirits, and perhaps take home a bottle or two as a souvenir.
The trail itself can be enjoyed in countless ways. Some stretches are perfect for cycling, especially the broad sweeps of St. Aubin’s Bay and St. Ouen’s Bay, while others offer quiet roads that run close to the coast and offer an alternative route. And, of course, there is no rule that says you must follow the trail in order or even stick to the coastline. This is your adventure. You might decide to veer inland to visit Jersey Zoo, founded by the pioneering conservationist Gerald Durrell, where endangered species are bred and protected in beautifully landscaped grounds. Or step into the cool shadows of the Jersey War Tunnels, where immersive displays tell the island’s story of wartime occupation. Alternatively, follow a leafy lane to a welcoming country pub, order a chilled local cider and while away a lazy afternoon in the garden watching the world go by.
Wherever you wander, the island’s blend of British tradition and French flair is part of the pleasure. Jersey was once part of the Duchy of Normandy before being granted to the English Crown by William the Conqueror, and while it has remained under British sovereignty ever since, it retains its own political status as a self-governing Bailiwick. The French influence lingers in place names, local accents, and menus, adding an extra dash of charm to every encounter. The views, too, speak of the island’s place between two worlds, on a clear day you can look across to the other Channel Islands or the distant French coast, their outlines shimmering on the horizon.
For walkers, the Jersey Tidal Trail is more than just a way to get from one place to another. It is a journey in step with nature’s clock, where the incoming tide might cut off a path you walked that morning, and the retreating sea might reveal an entirely new landscape by afternoon. It is an invitation to slow down; breathe deeply and notice the little details in life you may otherwise miss. Whether you come for the challenge, or the full 48 miles, or the simple pleasure of a short stroll by the sea, you will leave with a sense of having shared in something timeless.
For those wishing to plan their walk in detail the entire trail, along with individual sections, can be downloaded on Komoot and Strava, making it easy to follow the route, track your progress, and discover the plentiful points of interest along the way.
Jersey is easily reached in around an hour or less from the UK by air, with flights from over 20 airports. Prefer the sea? Travel as a foot passenger or pack the car and sail from Poole or Portsmouth. With no required passport for UK visitors (just a form of photo ID), no currency exchange and no time difference, Jersey is a hassle-free escape with a unique island charm.
Next steps
Interested in visiting Jersey? To plan and book your holiday, call Silver Travel Advisor on 0800 412 5678.
