From Stonehenge to the Isles of Jersey, Guernsey, and Sark
Walking England’s Jurassic Coast and Channel Islands
Overview
This utterly unique journey links some of Britain's most ancient and intriguing settings—famed Stonehenge, the cliffs of the Jurassic Coast, Dorset's rural landscape, and the exquisite Channel Islands, closer to France than England, with a fascinating fusion of French and English cultures. We'll view Stonehenge, then head to Dorset to hike along the World-Heritage-listed cliffs of the coast. In the sunny Channel Islands, with their cobbled lanes and aquamarine seas, we'll hike on Guernsey, Sark, and Jersey, soaking up the Anglo-Norman heritage and vibrant foodie scene.
Arrive: Salisbury, England
Depart: Rozel Bay, Jersey Island
Highlights
- Visit the mystical standing stones of Stonehenge
- Walk the trails of the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site on the South West Coast Path
- Hike the best trails in the Channel Islands (Guernsey, Sark, and Jersey), with their pristine landscapes
- Overnights in historic hotels of character, including a 13th century coaching inn
Itinerary
Enjoy a close-up view of the stone monoliths of Stonehenge, then head into the sublime landscapes of Dorset County in southwest England, with its gold-stoned cottages and fields of sheep. Three quarters of Dorset's coast is World Heritage-listed, including the sheer limestone cliffs of the Jurassic Coast, where Victorian-era fossil-hunters unearthed specimens dating back 185 million years (the hit BBC series
Broadchurch was filmed along these cliffs). Our hike along this breathtaking coast brings us along the horseshoe-shaped bay of Lulworth Cove on the South West Coast Path.
Just three hours by ferry and we'll be in a different world—the Channel Islands, lying within the sight (about 27 miles) of the coast of Normandy. We land in St. Peter Port, Guernsey Island's tiny capital, and enjoy walks along rocky headlands and through wooded valleys. Guernsey's stunning beauty hides its history, which has included Viking attacks, French invasions, and pirates. We'll see forts and towers built during the Napoleonic wars and observation towers from the German occupation during World War II. The islands have their own currency—you can pay for your pint with a Guernsey Pound or a Jersey Pound!
We ferry to the serene, car-free little gem of Sark Island, designated the world's first “Dark Sky Island” for its exceptional night skies. There are no cars, no modern roads, and no streetlights on this island. We'll visit Sark's dark-sky observatory and hike to a craggy headland called L'Eperquerie Common, site of a ruined 16th century fort built by the French. A hike right from our hotel brings us to Little Sark, a peninsula that forms the southern part of Sark Island.
The largest of the Channel Islands, Jersey is just 14 miles from France. Right from our hotel door, our hikes bring us down quiet country lanes, through tidy green pastures and woodlands, and along an old sea wall to St. Catherine's Bay, where the fabulous Mont Orgueil Castle, built in the 13th century to defend Jersey, dominates the views. The island was occupied by Germans during World War II, and we'll visit the Jersey War Tunnels to hear stories of the islanders' resistance. Depart on Day 9.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated a Level 2+ (Easy to Moderate) according to our trip grading system. You will need to be comfortable hiking 9.5 miles a day and being on your feet for 5 hours a day. Trail conditions, weather, and the group's level of fitness can affect hiking times and pacing.
Review Trip Level Details
Average Hiking Day
- 6 miles
- 3-4 hours
Our hikes are on well-maintained paths and trails with a minimal amount of elevation gain and loss. There are occasional steep sections on the coastal walks, and if there has been rain, it can be muddy and slippery.
The Channel Islands enjoy a temperate climate and benefit from their wind-sheltered maritime position in the English Channel. Springtime can offer great sunny days, with mild daytime temperatures in the 60s°F and occasionally the 70s°F. Dorset County and the Jurassic Coast also enjoy mild and pleasant spring weather, with daytime temperatures in the 60s°F. This region is famous for its changeable weather, though, so it is necessary to pack in preparation for cold rain, persistent fog, mist, and beautiful, sunny weather.
Our accommodations are in small, comfortable hotels that have been selected for their local history and charm. Since they are often in historic buildings, the rooms are not always of uniform or international size. Our leaders do their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole. Many do not have elevators or porters, so you will have to carry your luggage up the stairs to your room. Single rooms can be requested but are not always available, due to the limited space in the hotels. If you prefer a single room, please make your request as early as possible.
Lunches will be either at local cafes and pubs or a packed lunch during one of our hikes. Dinners will be at a local restaurant, at the hotel, or on your own. Our leaders are happy to recommend a nearby restaurant for meals that are on your own. There are plenty of opportunities for classic English dishes and there is a wide availability of fresh seafood. Please also note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 pm.
While in southern England (days 1-2), our luggage is transported for us by van, so it is always possible to ride in the van if you want to opt-out of a day's hiking. In the Channel Islands (days 3-9), we take local transportation. The Channel Islands are very small, so you are free to skip a hike and enjoy the town. We also take a 3-hour ferry to the Channel Islands, which is frequently subject to schedule changes. The ferry ride is an excellent opportunity to birdwatch for gannets, puffins, and guillemots.
Client Testimonials
"This creatively designed trip provided a wonderful balance of understated luxury, spectacular scenic beauty, and diverse historical perspective in an area of the UK that I had long wanted to visit. Thanks, WT!"
Kitty L.
Chicago, IL
"A well designed and executed trip! The hotels were unique, comfortable and fun; our Trip Leader handled every detail flawlessly (and did it all with good humor). I was actually surprised that I liked the trip so much! Hiking is emphasized in the written materials, but the other jewels are discovered when learning the history of the area with local guides, who added layers of information and perspective that truly enhanced our experience."
Linda H.
Olympia, WA
"This was a new experience for me—more refined and luxurious than any of the other hikes or climbs I've done over the years. I liked it, but you may have ruined me for more prosaic hikes! The leaders were superb. I will be looking for more Wilderness Travel trips in future."
Mike A.
Washington, DC
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.