Guernsey Walker
Walk W3. Three Valleys walk
Time: 2 hours
A map of the walk can be found here.
This walk begins by ascending the north side of the Talbot Valley, then re-crosses this valley to reach and cross the south-east end of the Fauxquets Valley at Les Vauxbelets. We then head across to a viewpoint over the west coast at the site of the former Grantez Mill, then descend to walk back along part of the Fauxquets Valley.
Parking is in the National Trust car park at the Ron Short walk (shown in Perry's at reference 23E1), where there is room for three or four carefully parked cars. You are unlikely to find a parking problem here, but if you are unlucky there is a lay-by in Rue des Fauxquets (at the south end of Rue Paintain) where two or three cars can also be parked (though starting the walk here - second from last paragraph below - will not be so good, and you may wish to omit or amend the Talbot Valley part to avoid duplication).
To arrive at this walk by bus you will probably be best to catch the 5 or 5A to Kings Mills and start the walk from there (fourth from last paragraph below).
Note that the notice in the National Trust car park (Private Property - Please do not leave rubbish) does not mean you cannot park. You will find it best to back into this car park, because it is on rather a blind corner. Help from a partner might be welcome when exiting.
Leave the car park by turning left (south-east) along the main road (Route des Talbots). After 75 metres turn left up a footpath. Note the steps on the left with a metal hand rail. These lead to the Ron Short walk, which is good for a short stroll. However we are going further afield, so ignore these steps and go straight up the path, which soon becomes concreted to head up the side of the valley.
This path reaches a metalled lane at the top where we turn right. The TV transmitter at Les Touillets can be seen over on your left. Pass a granite wall on your left with five open gateways, and then "Fief La Cour" set into it. About 50 metres further on, turn right to descend Rue du Torval. This runs back down to Rue des Talbots, at which point there is a National Trust wet meadow which you may find worth a visit in spring or early summer.
Otherwise continue left (south-east) along Rue des Talbots then, after 100 metres turn right (Les Niaux). The lane passes a disused water wheel and under the old water conduit, then climbs quite steeply up the south side of the valley. As the angle of the lane eases keep straight along, ignoring right and left turns. After a few bends we reach a cross roads with a main road (Candie Road). Keep straight over (Ruette des Vauxbelets - sign pointing to "Colourcare").
Soon after the left hand bend in the lane, take the turning on the right which runs downhill to cross the south-east end of Les Fauxquets Valley. As you walk down the hill you can see over on your right a few of the neat lines of trees belonging to the Rocquette Cider Company. The lane crosses a stream at the bottom, then climbs obliquely leftwards up the opposite side of the valley. After it more or less levels out you can see down to the Little Chapel at Les Vauxbelets on your left with Blanchelande College behind.
Then take the first right hand turning (Rue du Courtil Ronchin). This runs gently up hill then again levels out and reaches a cross roads. Go straight over (Rue Coliche Effard) then turn right at a T junction (Rue des Longbeaux). Continue straight along this lane and around a right hand bend, ignoring all left turns, then at a further cross roads continue straight over (Rue des Caches).
Continue straight along. After a while the lane is renamed Rue de la Haye, which soon runs gently downhill, winds a little then reaches a T junction at Rue des Grantez where we turn left. After 50 metres the site of Grantez Mill can found on the right up a short track. There is an information board, and extensive views over La Grande Mare and Vazon.
Return to the metalled lane and turn right to continue downhill. After a further 50 metres, just as the lane starts to bend left, take the partially grassy track on the right (Rue Rocquesse). This heads back right with the site of the mill to your right, and the view to Vazon on your left, then runs downhill. As the track nears the bottom it becomes roughly concreted, then bends left (ignore the path going up right) to reach a metalled lane (La Sauvarinerie). Turn right to reach a main road (Rue a L'Eau).
Opposite and at left can be seen the Kings Mills pumping station operated by Guernsey Water. Turn right up Rue a L'Eau which, after the two houses, runs alongside a stream which is behind a low wall.
After the stream, where the main road turns left, turn right into Moulin de Haut. After the houses, where the tarmac ends, go through the gate and up the track (Rue Paintain). Note that the track immediately beyond the gate can get very muddy after rain, and further along is becoming increasingly susceptible to mud in places as well, at least in the centre. Forty or so years ago, when my wife and I were first married, this lane was still open to traffic, and we could easily drive our Austin A35 along it, unlikely as this seems now.
At the end of the track we reach a metalled lane where we turn left (Rue des Fauxquets - this is where two or three cars may be parked, as noted above). Pass buildings attached to Fauxquets Valley Camp Site and Haybarn Restaurant on your left. Soon after the top of the hill reach a T junction (Candie Road). Turn left then after a few paces (after the house) turn right into Les Valinguets.
At the next T junction (virtually a cross roads, though the track opposite is private) find yourself back on the outward route at Les Niaux, so turn left to return to Rue des Talbots. Turn left down Rue des Talbots, but this time keep straight along this main road to regain the car parking. (2 hours).
(Revised August 2011)