The Jobourg Nose

Start from the car park on the route de l'ancien sémaphore (D202, traffic prohibited beyond this point). From the D901, near Jobourg, follow the signs for "Nez de Jobourg".

No signposting

(S/E) From the car park, head west and take the footpath to the right of the snack bar. Walk past the bar-restaurant to a platform with information panels and an orientation table.

Red, white and yellow markings
The ^GR®223is marked with numbered markers, from no. 51 to no. 56 on the following section. The Yellow markings are located on dedicated posts with the words "Sentier littoral" ("Coastal path").

(1) Find the ^GR®223at the corner of the bar-restaurant terrace (or down a path through a notch in the platform wall). Follow the ^GR® to the left. Descend the cliff path and then climb back up, first by a wooden staircase and then by a steep path. When you reach the railings, turn left and climb up to a promontory. Then descend slightly to the Nez de Jaubourg site (ornithological site sign).

(2) Continue along the cliff path and pass Bollard 52. Descend, pass Bollard 53 and climb back up. After a steep descent, with a low stone wall on your left, you will reach the Bec de l'Âne: on the right, a view of the Nez de Jobourg; on the left, a view of the Bréquets (rocks in the sea) and a path leading uphill, which you will have to take later to get away from the coastline.

(3) Continue along the cliff path, descend, pass Bollard 54, cross a stream and climb back up. At a signpost, turn left, immediately pass a chicane and reach a crossroads at Bollard 55.

(4) Continue along the ^GR® and Sentier littoral, taking the path on the right. After a few metres, at a fork in the road, turn left and head uphill. Descend further, cross a stream, pass Borne 56 and climb back up to a rocky promontory.
N.B. A hundred metres beyond this promontory, at a bend to the left, there is a remarkable view of... the La Hague reprocessing plant, which discourages you from continuing any further.

(5) Retrace your steps as far as Borne 55.

No signposting

(4) Follow a good path to the right (north-west) that climbs gently away from the coast and then curves to the right to enter the countryside. After crossing a stream, the path becomes gravelled.

(6) Ignore a meadow access track on the right and continue straight ahead on tarmac. Ignore a meadow access track on the left (not shown on the map) and turn left onto the road. The tarmac gives way to a gravel track, continue straight ahead (due north) until you reach the access road to the semaphore (D202). Follow this road to the right into the hamlet of Dannery.

Yellow markings

(7) At the crossroads, turn left onto the D401 towards Auderville. Note a wash-house on the right-hand side and, at the next fork in the road, turn left, still towards Auderville. Go straight on (west), ignoring the side roads, and pass through the hamlets of Mouchel and Samson.

(8) At the crossroads, take the 2nd right onto Rue des Fontaines towards Le Bûlot. At the fork in the road after about 50 metres, turn right (ignore the signs for Les Bûlots on the left). After a shed on the right, the tarmac gives way to a path between two hedges. At the next fork, turn right and leave a large farm building on your right.

(9) At the T-junction, follow a farm track to the left. At a fork, turn left. Immediately ignore a vague start on the left and descend between two hedges, with the island of Alderney clearly in view offshore. The slope steepens and, after a right-hand bend, note the view of Ecalgrain Bay.

Red and white markings

(10) At the crossroads, turn left at an acute angle onto a downhill tarmac track and rejoin the ^GR®223at Borne 46. The tarmac soon gives way to a gravel path. Cross a stream and come to a crossroads.

Unmarked

(11) Turn right onto a path that climbs up to the Côte Soufflée promontory. Retrace your steps.

Red and white markings

(11) Follow the path to the right (south), which starts at the foot of a sign warning you not to stray from the marked paths. Climb gently up a small valley with the stream you crossed on your left. Then climb more steeply to the summit on the right, which blocks the view of my sea. Return to this view and climb gently up to the Nez des Voidries.

Unmarked

(1) Turn left at the corner of the bar-restaurant and take the footpath along the road to the car park (S/E).

Hiking boots recommended or, failing that, good sports shoes.

There are no water points along the route, but there are several other resources:
- Refreshment bar and toilets at the start car park (S/E).
- Bar-restaurant at Le Nez des Voidries (1).
- Crèperie at Danery, just before (7).

There are several places along the coastal path that are ideal for a picnic by the sea, including the headlands at (5) and above (11).

Detailed map required (at least the one that accompanies this description).

Recommendations:
- The cliff path between (1) and (4) requires careful attention due to the steepness of the cliffs, which should be redoubled in wet conditions. Some sections may be uncomfortable for those prone to vertigo.
- On the coastal path, the views are best at high tide: to adjust your walking schedule, consult the tide tables.
- The Nez de Jaubourg is a protected natural site and home to a bird sanctuary: respect the area and keep dogs on a lead.
- The coastal path crosses private property: do not stray from the paths indicated.

Variations:
- The diversions at (4) and (11) are of course optional. Allow around 8.5km if both are avoided.
- If you wish to hike only along the coastal path, at (5) retrace your steps to (1) then turn right to return to the starting car park. Allow around 7km for this shorter version.

Walk made by the author on 07 August 2017.

- Superb views all along the coastal path, from (1) to (5) and from (10) to (1), of the sea, the west coast of the Cotentin peninsula and the Channel Islands.
- The protected natural site of the Nez de Jobourg.
- Beautiful glimpse of the Normandy bocage.
- Several beautiful houses between the hamlets of Dannery and Samson.