Walk the Channel Island Way!

A unique new guide that covers the Channel Islands' best coastal walking routes in stunning detail is out just in time for summer.

Left to Right: Tim Prout - Culture & Leisure (Guernsey); Donna Le Marrec - Development Director, Jersey Tourism; Katie Blampied -Managing Director, Coast Media and Wendy Crame - Marketing Executive, Visit Guernsey.

This week sees the launch of the official guide The Channel Island Way – the exciting new 110 mile walking route that brings together all the best coastal walks in Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm.

Published by Channel Island map specialists Coast Media, with words by Blue Badge Guide Arthur Lamy, the new guide covers all five islands in careful detail and is packed with useful information about points of interest and local history, public transport, toilet facilities and places where walkers can find food and refreshment. Each 'walk' comprises a Perry's map section, easy to follow instructions and imagery by renowned Channel Island photographer, Chris George.

The Channel Islands Way Guide has been put together with the assistance and support of the tourism authorities in the five islands and is the first resource of its kind to unite all the islands as a single fabulous walking destination.

'We're all very excited to see this unique project come to fruition,' said Coast Media managing director Katie Blampied. 'Following in the tradition of our popular Perry's Guides for both Guernsey and Jersey, this is our first detailed guide book that features all five Channel Islands in one convenient and easy to follow publication.'

With a bit of island hopping by boat and plane, walkers can use the guide as the key to exploring the entire range of walking environments the archipelago has to offer.

'Individually the islands are fantastic places for a walking holiday,' said Katie, 'but when you take them all together they provide one of the most beautiful and diverse walking destinations in Europe if not the world.'

Donna Le Marrec, Development Manager at Jersey Tourism, explained: 'Working on a joint Channel Island project, the first of its type, has been amazing. All of the islands' tourist boards have worked really well together and the outcome, a 110 mile coastal 'way' is breathtaking and a walking 'challenge' to rival other 'ways' around the world. I am sure visitors from the UK and Europe will want to walk some or all of it – a 'must do' for walking enthusiasts.'

Added Chris Elliott, Director of Marketing and Tourism at Visit Guernsey, 'Guernsey has seen a definite increase over recent years in the number of groups and individual visitors walking our beautiful cliffs, footpaths and Ruette Tranquilles. The Channel island Way presents a 'one stop shop' of Channel Island walking highlights which I am sure is going to be an asset in selling the Channel Islands as a walking holiday to walking enthusiasts.'

Peter Falla, Marketing Director, Culture and Leisure department said: ‘We are looking forward very much to stocking this new publication in the Guernsey Information Centre. Based on the volume of daily requests that we receive for information from visitors in the Centre about walking on the island and on the other islands in the Bailiwick we forecast this publication to sell very well indeed.'

The Channel Islands Way is designed for walking enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. The routes around the bigger islands have been broken down into convenient sections that can be walked comfortably in the space of a morning or afternoon. However, this should not stop more ambitious walkers from linking several sections together or simply choosing their own start and finish points.

'The beauty of the Channel Island Way lies in its flexibility,' said Katie Blampied. 'Walking enthusiasts who come from outside the islands can do the whole lot in the space of a fortnight or they can keep their guides and come back time and time again to discover a new walk and a new island.'

The Channel Island Way is on sale now for only £9.95 from retailers across the Channel Islands and will also be available via amazon.co.uk.