< Port Grat looking north towards Rousse Tower>

Port Grat looking north towards Rousse Tower.

Walk R16.   Port Soif to Grande Havre and back

Time: 1 hr. 40 mins.

A map of the walk can be found here.

This walk passes the popular surfing beach of Portinfer, the rocky bays of Pequeries and Pulias, and the good sandy bay of Port Grat, to arrive at Grande Havre near the fisherman's landing of Rousse Pier. We then return along quiet, though fairly built up, country lanes.

Park in one of the two car parks on the headland between Port Soif and Portinfer, where there is a refreshment kiosk and public toilets (both open only in season). Bus routes are 3A, 7 and 7A.

Port Soif is where the west coast cycle path starts, and which runs pretty much none stop as far as Fort Doyle and Beaucette Marina. So much of the path from now northwards is going to be well marked and firm walking. Start off from the car park along this path and above Portinfer.

At the far end of Portinfer, cross a car park. If there are red flags and notices indicating that clay pigeon shooting is taking place, there is no alternative than to turn right at this car park along the metalled lane. Otherwise continue along the path, which circuits the headland, passing the clay pigeon range to reach Baie des Pequeries, and curves around to rejoin the same lane.

Where this lane meets the coast road, the path continues on the left above Baie des Pequeries. At the far end, where the coast road and cycle path both turn away from the shore, keep left along the grassy path which continues to skirt the shoreline and which makes a circuit of the Pulias headland.

Rejoin the main path near the brackish Pulias Pond. The spire of the Vale Church can soon be seen ahead, with the Martello towers at Rousse and Chouet further to the left. The sandy beach at Port Grat comes into view, and at a parking area the path curves right and becomes a track.

You need to walk along the main coast road for about 50 metres (there's a footpath on the landward side of the road), then the cycle path starts again, running across the grassy dunes above Port Grat. Otherwise you can descend the slipway and walk across the sand, returning to the path where steps run up to the right of the rocks at the end.

The sandy beach at Chouet comes into view. At low spring tides this is a venue for "nautocross" racing. As spring tides always follow the new and full moons, it follows that the lowest spring tides always occur in the early afternoon, coupled with the early morning and evening highest tides.

Pass the recently renovated Rousse Martello Tower and Battery which are worth a quick visit, and arrive at Grande Havre at a car park overlooking Rousse Pier. (55 minutes). As well as being a fisherman's landing this pier is also quite a popular spot for swimming. Note though that, not too far from the pier, the tide running in and out of the quite large bay can at certain times reach the speed of a river.

It can be seen that, despite its quite impressive sounding name, Grand Havre is now just a haven for inshore fishing vessels and recreational craft. Until the early nineteenth century Guernsey was divided into two here by the Braye du Valle. Grande Havre, and the adjacent Vale Pond are the western remnants of this, and St Sampsons Harbour is the eastern remnant. The land where the inlet used to be is now quite heavily built on, especially as one approaches "the Bridge" at St Sampsons Harbour.

Walk down past the refreshment kiosk (open in season). The path becomes a track which runs through a boat storage area, with public toilets on your right. Pass the Peninsular Hotel on your right. You then rejoin the path and pass in front of the Houmet Tavern.

Just after the Houmet Tavern turn right, crossing the coast road and taking the lane running inland away from the coast (Le Houmet). At a staggered four way junction keep straight on (Rue de Houmet) then at a T junction turn right (Rue D'Aval). After 100 metres this road bends around to the left then ascends a little to reach a crossroads. Turn left (Hauts Courtils Lane).

This lane runs down to a main road at a T junction. Keep left along the main road for 50 metres then turn right into Les Plichons Lane. After a right then a left bend, reach a three way junction and turn sharp right (Pleinheaume Lane). Reach a cross roads and keep straight over (Les Barras Lane) passing "Officepoint" shop on your right.

After passing a large field on your right the road winds a little. Ignore a road going off right at the last left bend, then at a T junction turn right (Les Grandes Mielles Lane). Just before getting to a post box in the wall on your left you reach Port Soif Lane. At this point you join up with the return route of walk R.15.

Turn right down Port Soif Lane. Just before reaching the coast road, turn right along the path crossing the grassy area. When this reaches the coast road go straight over and down the path opposite which returns to the car park. (1 hr. 40 mins.)