Walking Routes to build a thirst

The Liberation Group and Jersey Tourism are launching a round of new Island walking routes taking in local landmarks and pubs along the way.

Ale trails have become increasingly popular throughout the British Isles since the first ones began in the West Country more than 20 years ago. Now Jersey has six new self-guided opportunities for Islanders and visitors to wander country lanes, test their stamina on coastal paths or criss-cross the town centre pausing for refreshment en route. The Group, which is the largest pub chain in the Channel Islands, and Tourism, have produced a booklet detailing each route and pointing out landmarks, places of historical interest and areas of natural beauty. Blue Badge guide Arthur Lamy devised the routes and researched and wrote the interpretation.

In the tradition of the great British ale trails - which are also designed to support local economies - walkers are encouraged to rest a while in pubs and inns along the way where they are steered towards local beers, wines and ciders and food using local produce. As with all such trails, walkers get their guide books stamped in the participating pubs and once they have a full set they can claim a free tee-shirt, which are collectable items among real ale aficionados.

The Chief Executive of the Liberation Group, Mark Crowther, said: "I can't think of a better way to explore Jersey. The popularity of ale trails is spreading worldwide and not just among traditional real ale drinkers as the concept also occurs in wine-producing areas of America. We were delighted to work with Jersey Tourism to come up with six carefully-planned routes which encapsulate the Island’s unique character and heritage, while giving walkers the opportunity to enjoy our award-winning beers and cask ales." he said.

Each route starts and ends at a pub and walkers are welcome to leave their vehicles in the car parks. The pubs featured are: Cock and Bottle, Post Horn and Town House in St Helier; St Mary’s Country Inn; Trinity Arms, Victoria in the Valley, St Peter; Rozel Bar and Restaurant and Le Hocq Inn on St Clement's Coast Road.

The trails are:
1. - Town Trail: Taking in the history of the Royal Square, St Helier's markets and the Town Hall.
2. - St Mary's Country Inn: Rural tranquillity, the historic north coast and the Paternosters.
3. - Trinity Arms: Agriculture, ancient defences, Howard Davis Farm, motor racing and the
       dramatic north coast.
4. - The Vic in The Valley: Occupation, Green Lanes and mills in St Peter and St Lawrence.
5. - Rozel Inn: Victorian gardener Samuel Curtis, dolmens, Rozel Manor and Mill
6. - Le Hocq Inn: St Clement's Church, Millennium stones and Jersey date stones.

Jersey Tourism's Product Development Manager, Donna Le Marrec said: "A third of all our visitors are walkers and we are always looking for new routes and subjects to enrich our programme. Although we have had pub walks on www.jersey.com for some time, we wanted to produce a new range of "Ale trails" with the emphasis on fresh local produce and good eating and to produce these in a high quality brochure."

Jersey Tourism offers a variety of walks - guided and self-guided - throughout the year and organises walking week events in the spring and autumn. In 2009, 4,000 walkers took part in the guided walking programme. The Ale Trail Guide is available free from Jersey Tourism’s Visitor Centre, online at www.jersey.com and also from many of the Liberation Group's pubs.

The media are invited to attend the launch of the Ale Trail at 12.30 pm, Wednesday 26 May at St Mary's Country Inn, when Arthur Lamy, Donna Le Marrec and Mark Crowther will raise a pint to its success.