< The viewpoint at La Corbiere>

The viewpoint at La Corbiere.

Walk R7. Le Gouffre to La Corbiere and back

Time: 1 hr. 15 mins.

A map of the walk can be found here.

This is a pleasant walk along the cliffs, and is somewhat less undulating than some (walk R8 for example), as it stays fairly near the cliff top for most of the way.

Car drivers will need to find their way from near the airport on the main Forest Road (Rue de Landes or Le Bourg) down to the end of Rue du Gouffre. There are a few parking places at the end after the last house, or opposite the gift shop. Otherwise park on the road itself on the same side as Cafe Escalier.

If you take the bus (route 4, 7 or 7A), you will need to get off at Rue de Landes and walk 15 minutes or so down Rue du Mont, Le Marais and Rue du Gouffre.

Start the walk by walking up the path and steps that go up the left hand side of Cafe Escalier (signed on a granite block by the road: "Cliff path to Pleinmont" and on a metal sign where the steps start: "Le Bigard - Pleinmont). At the top this bends right then continues fairly level along the top of the cliff, with Le Gouffre itself down on your left.

After the path bends to the right again, take the turning on the left with the four concrete blocks over the little streamlet, then at a T-junction turn left again. This takes you to a viewpoint where you can see down into Le Gouffre, and along the cliffs eastwards to La Moye Point. Retrace your steps, but don't turn back right. Carry on straight up to reach another T junction. Turn left (signed on a granite block: Le Bigard).

After you pass a house on your left you cross a cobbled bit of driveway, which becomes a track. Keep half left at the fork. The track bends around to follow the side of a little valley, soon becoming partly metalled, and eventually bends around to the left to reach a metalled lane at a bend. Note the unusual architecture of the house on your left (my wife and I refer to this as the "Snail" house).

Turn left along the lane, then after a few paces turn left onto a track ("Vehicle access for residents only"). Just before reaching the garden gates the cliff path forks off on the right (this bit of path can get a bit muddy after rain). The path follows the right hand side of the little valley, then bends to the right.

About 50 metres after the bend, turn left at a granite block ("National Trust of Guernsey 1972 Plaine des Camprots"). At a fork keep left then ignore a right turn to continue along the path, which then contours around the headland at the top of the cliff. You reach a further fork at a rather rough field. Keep left again to continue along the cliff. La Prevote watch tower comes into view and, as noted in walk R6, you may be able to spot Les Roches Douvres lighthouse on the horizon to your left.

At another fork keep left again. The path runs along the side of another little valley then dips down, bending around to the right, before climbing slightly to reach a T junction. Turn left onto a path which then crosses the top of the little valley before continuing along the top of the cliff. After a flat and relatively straight section you reach the car park at La Corbiere. (40 mins).

It's worth walking along the path starting from the far side of the car park, which heads out to a viewpoint at the end of the headland where there is a seat. This seat is at the edge of a crag, so take care if you have children with you.

Take the partly metalled lane heading inland from the car park. After 150 metres or so, turn right down a path (signed "Strictly no motor vehicles"). Keep straight along the main path, ignoring any turn offs. Eventually you will find yourself back on our outward route by the National Trust granite block. Continue along to the road at Snail House. Turn right, but this time keep along the road, which bends left up the hill, then right, then straightens out to become La Roberge.

Continue straight along for several minutes until you reach a T junction. If you came by bus, you can if you wish turn left here, then right, then left back into Le Marais, to return to your bus stop. However, our walk continues by turning right here. You come to a few houses, then at a fork keep right. Just before the road bends to the left, take the short path on the right which runs down to Rue du Gouffre. Turn right and arrive back at your car. (1 hr. 15 mins.).

(Revised October 2009)