From 3rd-18th September 2016, the Guernsey Autumn Walking Festival will offer visitors a choice of over 50 morning, afternoon and evening guided walks to explore the islands and learn from local experts about their history and attractions. Organised by Bailiwick of Guernsey Guild of Accredited Guides the walks range from rambles through the island's interior scenic landscape to exploring the rugged coastal paths. Prices start from £7 per person per walk and are led by Guernsey's gold and silver accredited guides each extremely knowledgeable in the area and each with a different set of expertise. The walks vary in difficulty and length (ranging from one to six hours) and are suitable for all ages and abilities.

 Examples of walks include:

 Coast to Coast – East to West, 11th September  

The guide takes visitors across the length of the island from Jerbourg in the south-eastern tip to Lihou Island in the west, passing quiet green lanes and Ruettes Tranquilles – Guernsey's famous network of rural roads. The walk is an all-day ramble exploring lesser known areas and discovering the rural side of Guernsey life. 

Price: £15, Ability level: Ramble, Length: 11 miles, Guide: Carla Bauer

 Ready or Not, 6th September

This walk explores the island's 18th and 20th century fortifications, traversing Houmet headland through the eyes of Captain Basset who was overseeing fortification of the headland at the end of the 18th Century under the threat of invasion from the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars. The guide will also consider the occupation through the eyes of Paul Piniel, a conscripted soldier in the German Army during Guernsey's occupation in WWII.

Price: £8, Ability level: Amble, Length: 1.5 miles, Guide: Eric Grimsley

 Where the Sea No Longer Reaches, 11th September

The guide invites visitors to uncover what Georgian troop movements, leprosy, burial chambers, German railway and labour camps, salt extraction, the Battle of Hastings, rabbits and carp have in common in a circular walk that traces the old western shoreline of the Braye du Valle before the two Islands of Guernsey were joined in 1805. The walk also includes the La Garenne d'Anneville nature reserve, complimentary refreshments, and the chance to try Gache Melee desert with Guernsey cream.

Price: £8, Ability level: Medium, Length: 4 miles, Guide: Malcom Cleal

 St Saviour's Ifs and Buttes, 13th September

The guide will lead the group across the borders of the parishes of St Saviour and the Castel, encountering some stunning views along with an old archery ground, German defences from the island's WWII occupation, a fief court seat, St Saviour`s Church and more. 'Ifs & Buttes' are Guernsey French for Yew trees and archery grounds.

Price: £8, Ability level: Able, Length: 3 ½ miles, Guide: Andy Walker

 Herm Above & Beyond, 5th and 10th September

Herm Island resident Lesley Bailey will lead a walk around the northern part of Herm, visiting areas not normally accessible to the public. The walk offers the chance to hear stories about life on Herm, past and present and enjoy the views looking back to Guernsey and out to sea.

Price: £8, Ability level: Ramble, Guide: Lesley Bailey

 Fortifications, Pre-History and Disaster, 16th September

This circular tour brings to life WWII German and Napoleonic history and fortifications around the L'Eree headland area, as well as a Neolithic/Bronze Age passage grave and stone building, features of the Ice Ages, the best preserved WWII German trenches in the island, and the wreck of the 'Prosperity' ship. The walk concludes with a look in a preserved German anti-tank bunker.

Price: £8, Ability level: Medium, Guide: Tim Osborne

Pre-booking is advised to guarantee a place. For more information on accredited guides and individual walks please visit www.guernseyguidedtours.com. Guided tours are available all year around either scheduled or on request, see website and individual Guides' profiles for further details.

Guernsey Accredited Guides also operate daily guided walks of St. Peter's Port throughout the year at 10:30 leaving from the Guernsey Information Centre, and also at 14:00 Tuesdays and Thursdays. The price is £7 and there's no need to book. Walk Description: The daily walks discover the fascinating history of the medieval town.

Getting to Guernsey:

 Direct flights to Guernsey operate year round from London City, Gatwick and Stansted, as well as many regional UK airports with Aurigny (www.aurigny.com), Blue Islands (www.blueislands.com) and Flybe (www.flybe.com).

Return flights from London Gatwick to Guernsey with Aurigny in September 2016 are available from £100 per person and flight time is one hour.

 Condor operates ferry services from Poole and Portsmouth, and takes around three and seven hours respectively. Return car ferries from Poole to Guernsey in September are from £190, carrying two passengers (www.condorferries.com).

 -Ends –

 For information about the Walking Festival, please visit www.guernseyguidedtours.com.

 For further general information on Guernsey, visit www.visitguernsey.com

For press enquiries please contact Jules Ugo or Georgina Oakley at Lotus on jules@wearelotus.co.uk, georgina@wearelotus.co.uk or call the office on 0207 953 7470.

Key to walks:

 Amble: Flat roads or paths. Lots of stops to look at interesting things and to hear interesting stories and facts.

Medium: These walks may include roads and paths but expect uneven tracks, cliff paths, steps or medium slopes along the way.  You should wear appropriate shoes.

Ramble: Hills, steps and a bit of clambering will add to your enjoyment of these walks which may also be longer than normal. Appropriate footwear essential.