Walk 2 - North Coast Nosebag

A circular walk through the lanes of St Mary and St John. Mainly on road, but with a short but quite steep section of coastal path offering spectacular views along the north coast.

The walk starts and ends at St Mary's Country Inn. This former 17th century farmhouse has real character and offers a selection of real ales and restaurant-standard food. Typically for a Jersey parish, the pub is conveniently situated opposite the parish church!

Proceed north along La Route de l'Eglise, then straight over the crossroads, a continuation of La Route de l'Eglise, which becomes La Rue de la Grange. Notice the medieval cross on the gatepost, a relic of the 16th century Reformation when Island churches were cleared of Pagan effects.

Turn left at the next T-junction into La Rue des Marais which becomes La Hougue Mauger, then right into La Rue de la Hougue Mauger. A "Hougue" was a hill or mound built over a stone-age dolmen of which several examples still remain.

The walk now passes La Mare Vineyards, (open to the public - entry fee). Turn up La Rue du Champ Durell immediately before and alongside the vineyards. Turn left at La Falaize Farm.

The Priory Inn is on the left, a welcome opportunity for some refreshment. The St Mary Millennium Stone is located here, excavated locally and erected in each parish in the year 2000. (A visit to The Devil's Hole requires a detour down a very steep hill!)

Take the cliff path after the pub and follow this to Sorel Point. The Islands of Guernsey, Sark, Herm and Jethou can usually be seen, and even Alderney on a very clear day.

The path descends into Mourier Valley. Notice the patchwork of small fields created when sheep were grazed here to provide wool for the knitting industry. At one time everyone knitted. In 1609 it was made illegal for men to knit during the harvest!

Turn right at Sorel Point, where autocross races take place. The St John Millennium Stone is here - the quarries are a short distance along the coast. Turn up the hill and fork right along La Rue de Sorel, then first left into La Rue du Grand Mourier, and left again at the T-junction after some distance.

The lane joins the coast road, built by local labour during the war. Les Fontaines Tavern is on the left, a charming country pub oozing character, this 16th century farmhouse inn offers real ales and good food and a chance perhaps to hear Jersey French being spoken. The doorways are very low - mind your head as you enter!

Head back inland from the pub and fork first left along La Rue des Landes. Turn right after some distance (T-junction), and first left past the cemetery (Sir Billy Butlin is buried here).

Cross over the main road with care into La Rue de la Gombrette, then first right into La Rue des Chasses. At the end of this lane turn right (Le Neuf Chemin becomes La Rue de Bel Air). 'Mont Plaisir', the farm-house on the right has two marriage stones in the front wall and an apple crusher, palm trees and pig-sties in the garden!

Continue straight for some distance, turning left opposite a house called 'Greenfields'. Cross over the main road into La Rue Blouin, then first left along La Rue du Maistre. Turn left again at the main road, then immediately right (La Rue de la Vallée). This leads back to St Mary's Country Inn and the end of the walk.

Glossary:

• Marais
• Hougue Mauger
• Camp Durell
• Mourier
• Sorel
• Gombrette
• Landes
• Chasse
• Blouin

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PTGH wish to thank Jersey Tourism for their help in providing the above information.
15/11/07