e-bike cycling routes in Jersey
With its green country lanes and cycling paths from town to Corbiere, Jersey is a great place to get on your bike.
However, some of the hills can be a bit of a strain, where an e-bike is a great option. Jersey resident Caroline gives us her five favourite routes in Jersey.
EAST COAST
My favourite e-bike ride ‘out East’ starts at St Catherine’s breakwater with a nice stroll to the pier watching the locals fish, a spot of dolphin watching, paddle boarding and swimming, the ice-creams at the café are amazing, then cycling towards Archirondel, down to Anne Port Bay, up and around the corner of Geoffrey’s Leap with breathtaking views.
Stop off at Gorey to soak up the atmosphere with its fine harbourfront restaurants eating fresh fish caught that day, a couple of lovely boutique shops, and a visit to Mont Orgueil Castle is a must, one of our finest medieval castles overlooking the harbour.
Along this part of the island’s coast, we have the picturesque views of Seymour, La Rocque, and La Hocq, where you will spot fortified Jersey Round Towers that were built in the 1700s, rocks pools, Le Hocq is also a great place for collecting sea glass and pottery.
COUNTRY LANES
The best thing about cycling in Jersey is that you cannot get lost on our beautiful island; there are many places to see along the green inland country lanes. One of my favourite places to visit in Jersey is Jersey Zoo. The zoo specialises in saving rare and endangered species; it has mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles, and kids will love the orangutans and gorillas.
La Hougue Bie is a Neolithic ritual site used around 3500 BC. Go inside to see a Neolithic Passage Grave, one of the ten oldest buildings in the world; there is also a super Archaeology museum with ¼ million years of island history, a second world war key lookout point and a bunker and a memorial to the forced workers.
Samares Manor is a manor house with medieval origins; the beautiful botanic gardens are a tranquil place to walk around, featuring herb/vegetable gardens, a plant centre, and a Japanese garden. If you spot a Jersey cow on your cycle ride, you have had a great day!
CORBIERE LOOP
Cycling to Corbiere is a favourite. Most of the journey is along a dedicated cycle track, cycling to the harbour at St Aubin, where you can dine at one of the harbour-front restaurants, visit shops and art galleries or stop for a coffee break before heading up the Railway walk with its tree canopy and beautiful wildflowers, ponds, animals and sea views – lookout for red squirrels darting along the trees.
If you come off the cycle track to the road Mont de Petit Port, you can cycle to the nearby small bay at Petit Port for some breathtaking views, then cycle up to Corbiere, where you visit the bunkers. If you wish to view the lighthouse’s interior, this must be booked through Corbiere Lighthouse Tours Group.
Corbiere Phare is a popular restaurant with stunning views and has a well-earned Jersey Ice-cream in loads of different flavours just down the road.
The Radio tower was built by the German occupying forces during World War 2 and is set on a clifftop overlooking Corbiere lighthouse. You can stay here or at the self-catering sea view apartments at Corbiere Phare
*Corbiere Lighthouse – Please be aware of the incoming tides
WEST IS BEST
‘West is best’ as locals in this part of Jersey say, and cycling along the Five Mile Road- about 3.5 miles- that follows St Ouen’s Bay is a real treat.
Come off the cycle path on the Railway Walk before Corbiere and cycle downhill past La Pulente for some spectacular views, or come out at the exit on the other side of Petit Port.
Lots of places to visit along Five Mile Road. You can play crazy golf, visit the Jersey Wetland Centre for a spot of bird watching over a nature reserve; we also have a Channel Islands Military Museum situated in a bunker, Jersey Pearl, get surf lessons, visit Victoria Tower, walk along the sand dunes or stop for a refuelling session.
Eat well at La Braye, El Tico, Watersplash, Sands etc., catering for all tastes; Watersplash is a favourite with the locals for its good food, served all day and its chilled vibe music in the background. And, of course, the West is where the sun sets!
If you spot a paraglider at La Pulente, you have had a good day!
NORTH COAST
The North Coast cycle ride is ideal for those who like a challenge involving hills and a few steep lanes; if you love views, bring your camera.
Starting at Rozel Bay, I would recommend a good bikers breakfast from The Hungry Man, a lovely little harbour to walk around with a restaurant and tea room (Rozel Tea-room makes the best Victoria Sandwich cake); take a slice for afternoon tea; there is a restaurant and 1 or 2 boutique shops. Aim for Bouley Bay; it’s a long stretch of a hill, not too steep; once there, it’s a nice area to chill and watch the fisherman and people swimming in all weathers.
After Bouley Bay is Bonne Nuit Bay, with some picturesque views on your way down; once down, there is a little harbour with fishing boats and a café – be prepared as cycling up the hill is the hardest.
The next destination along the north coast is Greve de Lecq, a pretty bay with a couple of good pubs, some tourist shops and cafes; the barracks are worth a visit as it has two prison cells and an ablution block at the top of the hill is a chapel.
The next bay to head for is Plemont Bay– a beautiful bay with stunning views from the surrounding cliffs. You can visit the bunker and guardsman tower and the new conservation area owned by the National Trust; previously, this was a holiday camp, and now it has been returned to nature; if you walk down to the beach with the tide out, there are some beautiful rock pools and caves to explore.
ABOUT OUR GUEST AUTHOR: Caroline enjoys football, likes a bit of tennis, loves rock music, loads of walking and of course cycling! Follow her on her Instagram account.
