4 Great Walks from Les Ormes
Spectacular landscapes, a variety of terrain and a network of well-managed tracks make Jersey an ideal holiday location for walkers of every ability. You certainly don’t need a car to enjoy a break a Jersey.
In fact, Les Ormes’ superb location in the far west of the Island puts us within walking distance of many of Jersey’s must-see beaches, landmarks and attractions.
In our opinion, there’s no better way to explore the west of the Island than by pulling on a pair of boots or trainers and putting your legs to work. Here are four of our favourite walking routes, which most of our guests can comfortably complete in an afternoon.
Walk 1: Across the dunes for a dip at Le Braye
Le Braye: Perfect for swimming, surfing and sunning
Duration
45 minutes each way
Level
The undulating sand dunes are tough, but the views are so worth it.
Overview
This direct route to the beach crosses Jersey’s iconic sand dunes. This beautiful and unspoilt landscape is at the heart of Jersey’s National Park and recognised as among Europe’s finest dunes. It offers spectacular views of the entire bay and the chance of a safe swim at one of the Island’s best-loved beaches.
Walk Highlights
- Explore the unique dunes and blaze your own trail to the beach
- Enjoy stunning panoramic views of Jersey’s best-loved bay
- Take a dip at St Ouen’s best swimming spot
- Explore Rocco tower and the rock pools at low tide
- Grab a delicious bite to eat at Le Braye Café
Directions
Head out of the main gate up the lane toward St Brelade. After 300m, at the junction near the football pitches, take a right onto the walking track. Follow it for 400m, past St Brelade’s football club on your right.
Keep going past the houses on your left until the track splits. Take the path to the right and head through woodland for another 100m or so. You’ll emerge on a track with the playing fields to your left.
Follow this track for 200m and you’ll reach the top of dunes. From here you’ll have a panoramic view of St Ouen’s bay. Simply pick your own route down to the café next to the tower in the bay (Rocco Tower).
To get home, simply choose a different route up and explore more of our unique sand dunes, before retracing your steps along the path back to Les Ormes for a well-deserved drink in the Brasserie!
Rocco Tower: Once you reach the top of the dunes, head for this iconic landmark.
To get home, simply choose a different route up and explore more of our unique sand dunes, before retracing your steps along the path back to Les Ormes for a well-deserved drink in the Brasserie!
Walk 2: Explore country lanes on a round trip to Sands Café & The Wetland Centre
Duration
3 hour round trip
Level
Starts easy, gets tougher towards the end. A reasonable level of fitness required.
Overview
This route weaves its way through picturesque country lanes and Les Mielles Nature Reserve, revealing Jersey’s rich farming heritage, wildlife and plenty of other points of interest along the way.
Walk Highlights
- Panoramic views across St Ouen’s Bay
- The Wetland Centre is a must-see for any budding naturalist
- See Jersey’s native birds, including the Marsh Harrier
- Sands’ Café is a great spot for beachside refreshments
- Get a taste of Jersey’s rich agricultural heritage
Directions
Start in the ‘Lodge Car Park’ on the northern side of the resort. Turn left out of the gate and head west along the road towards St Ouen’s Bay. When you reach the end of the airport fence, turn right onto Mont Fondan.
Follow the steep hill down, keeping right until you reach the main road at Route Du Port. Take another right until you reach La Route Du Moulin. Take a left on La Route Du Moulin and follow the road for 1.5km. Les Mielles Nature Reserve will be on your left-hand side, so keep your eyes peeled for birds.
Once you reach Chemin de L’Ouziere, head towards the ocean. When you get to the sea wall you can either walk along the beach or take the gravel track along the top, heading south to Sands for well-earned refreshments and food with a superb view.
To get home, continue south until you reach Route Du Port. Head back inland along Route Du Port until you reach a small side road called Rue De La Mer on the right-hand side.
A quick stroll along Rue De La Mer (known locally as Naked Hill!) takes you to the bottom of Mont Fondan, the hill you descended at the beginning of the walk.
Take a deep breath, march up the hill, and you’ll be back at Les Ormes, having earned a nice sit-down!
Walk 3: Take the Railway Walk west to La Corbière
Duration
1 hour each way
Level
A gentle walk, perfect for guests who don’t like hills, but do like ice cream!
Overview
This easy walk takes you west along the railway walk, through quiet woodland, to Jersey’s south-western tip, La Corbière.
Walk Highlights
- Spectacular views across La Moye Golf Course and St Ouen’s Bay
- Explore Corbière Lighthouse at low tide
- Enjoy some of Jersey’s finest ice cream
Directions
Head out of the main gate up the lane toward St Brelade. After 300m, at the junction near the football pitches, take a right onto the walking track.
Follow it past St Brelade’s football club to your right, and around the back of Belle Vue housing estate on your left. When the track splits, keep left. After 100m you’ll emerge from woodland by the playing fields. Follow the tarmac path with the playing fields to your right for 500m.
Just past the tennis courts, you’ll find the main path of the Railway Walk - a wide gravel track. Bear right and follow it west for about 3km until you reach Corbière Phare pub. Take a right and head down the short hill until you see the lighthouse.
The causeway to the lighthouse is only exposed for two hours either side of low tide. Please check the tide times (available at reception) before you go and if you have any doubts, it’s best to play it safe and enjoy a drink at Corbière Phare pub instead.
Jersey’s most famous ice cream van can be found in the car park overlooking the bunker. A cone or tub from here is a pretty nice way to end the walk, with a great selection of flavours - made with milk from Jersey cows, of course!
The easiest way back to Les Ormes is to retrace your footsteps. However, you can also follow the road down the hill to a little bay called Petit Port. At high tide, the swimming here is glorious.
If you’ve taken the detour and had a dip, you can follow the road up the hill for 1km and rejoin the Railway Walk, which crosses the road at the top of the hill.
Walk 4: Take the Railway Walk south to St Aubin Village
Duration
1.5 hours each way
Level
A gentle walk, with a mellow uphill stretch on the way back.
Overview
This gentle, shaded walk takes you south along the Railway Walk, where Jersey’s only train service once linked La Corbière with St Helier.
Popular with walkers, runners and cyclists, this safe, car-free route winds its way through wooded countryside and old railway tunnels, eventually emerging in the picturesque harbour village of St Aubin.
Walk Highlights
- Pop in for a coffee at the appropriately named ‘Off The Rails’ café
- Stroll through beautiful woodland away from major roads
- Visit one of Jersey’s best-loved harbour villages
- Enjoy a bite to eat surrounded by local artwork at The Harbour Gallery
Directions
Head out of the main gate up the lane toward St Brelade. After 300m, at the junction near the football pitches, take a right onto the walking track. Follow it past St Brelade’s football club on your right, and around the back of Belle Vue housing estate on your left.
When the track splits, keep left. After 100m you’ll emerge from woodland by the playing fields. Follow the tarmac path with the playing fields to your right for 500m.
Just past the tennis courts, you’ll find the main path of the Railway Walk - a wide gravel track. Bear left and follow it south for 30-40 minutes. You’ll pass under a bridge and over a few minor roads until you emerge at St Aubin.
The village of St Aubin revolves around its picturesque pier and harbour. A vibrant selection of restaurants, cafés and boutique shops line the harbour wall, and it’s a favourite spot for locals and tourists to enjoy an afternoon drink and bite to eat.
To return, the simplest way is to follow the Railway Walk back up the hill and retrace your steps to Les Ormes. But if you want to avoid the uphill walk home, the number 15 bus runs several times an hour from St Aubin to within 300m of Les Ormes.