Tucked away in St Saviour’s is a walk that will take you through lots of woodland, over a dam, over a few bridges, down some country lanes and past chickens! It is hard to believe that we lived in Guernsey for 2 years before we realised the St Saviour’s Reservoir existed. However, it is now up there amongst our favourite places to walk and is a great choice if you’re looking to get out and about with kids.
The Millennium Walk
The nature trail around the St Saviour’s Reservoir is called the Millennium Walk. The trail is 3km long and can be joined at different sections throughout the trail. Guernsey Water have produced a useful map that shows the Millennium Walk and the numerous points of interest, plus Spotter Sheets with things for kids to tick off when on the walk.
CLICK ON THE SPOTTER PICS BELOW TO VIEW A PDF OF THAT SPOTTER SHEET…
Location & Parking
The reservoir is nestled in the heart of rural St Saviour’s, however, it is quite hidden and not signposted (hence how we didn’t know it existed!). We use the navigation app Waze to get everywhere in Guernsey and despite it not knowing where some places are, it instantly comes up with directions to the reservoir. Word of caution, if you use Waze, on our first trip it tried to take us literally into the reservoir! We ended up down a dirt track with the reservoir ahead of us, with no place to turn around, thankfully I wasn’t driving, otherwise I would have abandoned the car, there’s no way I could have reversed all the way back down the dirt track!
We have since found out that there are 3 parking areas dotted around the reservoir, on the following roads; 1) Rue des Annevilles, 2) Rue A L’Or, 3) Rue du Moulin. We generally park at Rue du Moulin, which is a small parking area off the road for a few cars.
Joining the Trail
When joining the trail from Rue du Moulin, walk up the road from the parking area and look out for an arrow and RW written on the pavement, this leads you to the entrance to the trail.
Nature Trail
Once through the entrance gate, the first thing that hits you is how wooded the area is, however, it takes a few minutes to actually get a good look at the reservoir. The trees are really tall which, on a sunny day, makes for amazing shadows through the leaves.
The path takes you through another gate with an arrow painted on it (though I don’t think there is another way to go!)
Brass Plaques
After passing through a gate, look out for a brass plaque in the undergrowth. These plaques highlight things to look out for (e.g. ash leaf) and on the map, it shows that there are 6 plaques in total, somehow, we have only ever found 3!
Bridge Over a Stream
The next section of the walk is again through more trees, until you come to a sloping right, then left turn, which leads you to a wooden bridge over Les Padins Stream.
The Water!
The trail then takes you a little uphill where you get your first really good look at the reservoir…
Fairy Door
My girls are firm believers in fairies and I remember the first time we visited the reservoir, the squeals of excitement when they spotted a fairy door ruined the peace for anyone in the vicinity! Look out for the small rainbow fairy door on the stone wall…
Chickens!
After the excitement of finding a fairy door, we were all leisurely walking along amongst the trees, when we were greeted with…loads of chickens!
It appears the chickens come from a house behind the nature trail, and they roam freely along the path.
Hidden Den
Beyond the chickens, there is a choice of paths that take you around some trees, both leading to a clearing, a little further along the trail. Here there is a bench to enjoy the view of the reservoir, the first access point to actually get to the water’s edge and a hidden den created from the roots of a fallen tree. This is a great place for a drink/ food stop and a play. As there is nowhere to buy supplies on the nature trail, don’t forget to take what you need with you.
Floating Reedbeds
The path continues up a hill, beyond the clearing, where you’ll come to a section of floating reedbeds. These offer birds a secure place to roost and feed, while simultaneously treating the water.
Tree Balancing
Have you ever wanted to recreate the scene from Dirty Dancing where Johnny and Baby are lovingly dancing on the log over the river? Well this could be your chance! There is a large fallen tree in the water which kids like to climb on. Our girls always want to have a go but we haven’t been brave enough to let them, when I look at it I just see a trip to A&E!
The Dam Wall
As you continue along the path you will get a glimpse of the dam wall, it’s impressive, even from this far away and if you park at Rue des Annevilles, this is where you will join the Millennium Walk path.
Next you will come to my favourite part of the walk, the dam wall. The view from the wall is something else. It shows the scale of the reservoir, but also how high up you are, with the St Saviours Water Treatment Works looking so far below you. It makes me think that if the dam was breached, it wouldn’t be good news for those living on the West Coast!
At the end of the dam wall, you come to the Rue A L’Or parking area. This is often the busiest parking area, with cars parked along the main road as well.
Goodbye Trees, Hello Road!
The end of the dam wall marks the start of the road section of the walk. Exit onto Rue A L’Or and turn right. Follow the road up the hill, bearing right (past some houses with unbelievable sea views) and down a hill, where you’ll come to a wall that gives you a great view of the eastern arm of the reservoir.
Remain on the footpath until you come to a white painted arrow on the ground, this directs you to re-join the nature trail.
Back Within the Trees
I.t’s nice to get back on the trail and back within the trees. Follow the path and you’ll come to a bench behind 2 commemorative stones, one marking the opening of the Millennium Walk in 2002 and the other celebrating the 10th anniversary of the twinning of St Saviours and Montebourg in 2004.
Back To Where We Started
Follow the path for a few more minutes and you will come out onto the road again, just near the Rue du Moulin parking area, where you started.
A Peaceful Walk
We always enjoy a trip to the reservoir and it’s like nowhere else in Guernsey. It takes us just over an hour and that will include a drink stop on one of the benches. It’s the perfect place to get away from it all because it’s so peaceful and kids can explore for the majority of the walk away from any cars. The nature trail is relatively flat (except the road section), however, there are a lot of tree roots across the path so it isn’t really buggy friendly, it would make for a very bumpy ride!
Dogs are allowed on the walk on a lead and we enjoy taking our dog with us, although she always wants to chase the chickens!
Address
St Saviours reservoir, Rue A L’or, St Saviours, Guernsey, GY7 9XS
Bus Route
61
Dogs
Dogs are allowed on the Millenium Walk however, they must be kept on a lead at all times.
Cost
Free!
