Take a walk: La Hougue Bie, Jersey

This goes through three parishes, down grassy tracks, past a reservoir and through ancient hamlets. It also offers wonderful coastal views. Allow 2¾ to 3 hours.

This walk starts and finishes at the Neolithic site of La Hougue Bie (left). Part of the experience is to visit this Jersey Heritage Trust site either before or after the walk. It is on the 3A bus route. If driving from St Helier take the A6 to Five Oaks. At the mini-roundabout take the B28 to La Hougue Bie. There is free parking for those visiting the site. Please note, however, that La Hougue Bie is closed November - end March, so a visit/parking is not possible.

La Hougue Bie is a Neolithic ritual site which was in use about 6,000 years ago. It is one of the largest and best preserved passage graves in Europe and although it is generally referred to as a tomb, we know that it had a much more complex role than simply a place in which the dead were buried. Like a modern church it had a number of different ritual and ceremonial functions which were carried out in it and around it throughout the year.

Two medieval chapels top the mound, and in addition, there are geology and archaeology museums and a World War Two German bunker. The bunker now houses a unique memorial to the memory of the forced-workers in the Channel Islands during the Second World War. There is also a reconstructed Neolithic wattle-and-daub house in the grounds. There is a small shop with snacks and drinks and toilet facilities.

At the start of the walk turn right out of La Hougue Bie and then immediately left into Rue du Champ Colin. Follow the road as it turns to the right (Rue de Neuilly).

Turn sharp right at the T-junction and turn right again at the next crossroads. On your right is an abreuvoir or drinking trough for animals. These, along with lavoirs for the communal washing of clothes, were much used in times past and can still be seen regularly along Jersey's lanes.

Turn left into La Ruette des Ecorvées and follow the grassy track straight ahead. Past the new development of houses, and before a large grassy area, turn right and then left on to the main road. Cross the road so you are facing the traffic and walk past a large Victorian building (St Saviour's Hospital). St Saviour's Hospital was opened in 1868 as a mental hospital. It is now thought to be too big and out-of-date and there is talk of the States selling the site for redevelopment.

At the bottom of the hill enter the Queen's Valley Reservoir complex. Go through double gates on the left and take the path keeping the reservoir on your right.

The Queen's Valley Reservoir was built in the 1980s in order to cope with the Island's growing need for water. There was much controversy about flooding Queen's Valley including several protest marches involving thousands of people - one of which was joined by botanist David Bellamy. Now the reservoir contains over 262 million gallons of water and is a popular recreation spot for Islanders and visitors alike. Do not cross the dam at the bottom end of the reservoir. Go through the kissing gate and turn right on to the road. At the next T-junction, turn left into Le Chemin des Maltières and then take the next turning right into La Cache des Prés. On the right is the entrance to Le Manoir des Prés. This was previously known as La Maletière and the side door still bears the letter M for the Malet family who previously lived there. This road runs like a raised causeway through the lowlying water meadows of Les Prés - an important stop-over point for many species of migrating birds and home to several resident swans. There is also a good view of Mont Orgueil Castle to the left.

At the T-junction, turn right on to the main road and, keeping to the pavement, walk towards the church past several attractive old houses. The Parish Church of Grouville and its adjoining grave-yard are well worth a visit. As you enter the gate into the yard, you can see on your left a large memorial stone erected in memory of the Grenadiers of the 83rd Regiment who died at La Rocque during the Battle of Jersey, 1781. Inside the church, the nave pre-dates 1066, the font is octagonal and is made of granite from Chausey and next to the lectern there is what is thought to be a holy water stoup. If not visiting the Church, follow the main road round to the right and then take the next right, La Rue de Grouville which is opposite the Grouville Parish Hall, the centre of parish life. (When the Parish Hall is open, they have kindly agreed for walkers to use their toilet facilities. Just enquire at the office.)

Note the several old farm houses on this road. Home Farm has a date stone of 1741 bearing the initials CML and ETZ. These date stones are known as marriage stones, but the couple concerned, Charles Malet and Elizabeth Touzel, married in 1719, so they waited a while before putting up the stone.

At Home Farm, cross the road and turn left up La Ruette Mathurin. On your left is a National Trust for Jersey property, Le Don Picot and on your right an attractive water meadow. At the start of the track there is an abreuvoir which was also used as a lavoir - so a combined drinking trough and washing place.

At the end of the track turn left and at the top of the hill turn right to walk round the hamlet of Le Bourg. According to Balleine, the authority on Jersey place names, the word Bourg means ‘homesteads grouped together for convenience or for defence - sometimes a fortified village'. It is easy to imagine that this hamlet was fortified in years gone by. Turn right down a lane marked ‘No Entry' keeping Le Bourg Cottage and Meadow View on your left. At the bottom, turn left on to the road and walk past the imposing property Springvale on your left and the water meadow on your right. Turn left before reaching the main road: a house called Thornwood makes the corner.

At the top of the hill be sure to look back to enjoy the view of the Royal Bay of Grouville. To your right you can see Seymour Tower which, as it is situated about a mile out to sea from La Rocque, is usually surrounded by water. It is one of only two square towers in Jersey and was built in 1782 on the site of an older tower.

It is named for a Governor of Jersey, General Henry Seymour Conway. Keep straight on past one set of crossroads then, as the road bends round to the right, go straight on, down a grassy track (before the T-junction). At the end turn left on to a road, then turn right. From now on the road is busy, so take care and walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing the traffic. Turn right on to the main road at the side of La Hougue Bie and then turn left and so back to the starting point.

Walk designed and compiled by Beth Lloyd, Jersey Heritage Holidays www.jerseyheritageholidays.com. Click here for more Jersey walks