Overview
This is a perfect introduction to walking in Normandy, exploring the Cherbourg Peninsula over four days. Starting in the historic port town of Cherbourg for one night, followed by two nights at the small coastal town of Omonville-la-Petite, you get to explore two sides of this region, also known as Cotentin, with easy but exquisite daily walks of between 10 to 12km. Explore a historic landscape of traditional villages, pastoral terrain enclosed by stone walls and beaches that inspired the famous French poet, Jacques Prévert. You can also access this holiday easily by rail and ferry, adding to the tour’s slow and sustainable features.
- Cherbourg
- Port Racine
- Nez de Jobourg
- Baie d’Écalgrain
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Cherbourg
Cherbourg is the main port and cultural hub on Normandy’s Cotentin Peninsula. As well as many historical buildings such as Basilica of Sainte-Trinité and Ravalet Castle. A highlight of any visit is the Cité de la Mer Maritime Museum. Cherbourg also features the world’s second-largest artificial harbour, a remarkable feat from the 18th century that continues to shape the city’s character and charm.
- Accommodation: Hotel Ambassadeur or similar in Cherbourg
Day 2: Cherbourg – Port Racine | 10km
After breakfast, you are transferred (30mins) to your accommodation in Omonville-la-Petite in a locally-owned inn, close to a quiet beach. Start your walk along the beach to Port Racine, one of the smallest harbours in France and one of the favourite places of famous French poet, Jacques Prévert. You can even visit the poet’s garden along the way. Continue walking through the Normandy countryside and, after a small climb up Mont Clin, you come to a superb viewpoint which is a perfect place for a rest before returning to your accommodation.
- Walking for the day: 10km, 3h, ↑220m ↓230m
- Accommodation: La Roche du Marais or similar in Omonville-la-Petite
- Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 3: Nez de Jobourg | 12km
A transfer by taxi (15mins) takes you to the start of the most impressive hike of the trip. Among the highest cliffs in Europe, the Nez de Jobourg rises to 128m and juts out into the English Channel. Follow the coastal path across the moor for panoramic views over the sea, from Goury Lighthouse to the tip of Flamanville. Descend to Baie d’Écalgrain for a refreshing swim, before returning to the car park where your taxi will be awaiting you for a transfer back to the accommodation.
- Walking for the day: 12km, 4h, ↑400m ↓425m
- Accommodation: La Roche du Marais or similar in Omonville-la-Petite
- Meals included: breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
Day 4: Departure
Departure after breakfast by transfer back to Cherbourg.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Ambassadeur (Cherbourg)
- La Roche du Marais (Omonville-la-Petite)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
All breakfasts are included throughout the trip and a picnic lunch is included on day three. Lunches and snacks can also be purchased from local markets in the villages. Cold dinners are included on days two and three (the hotel does not have a restaurant, but a caterer will deliver a cold dinner containing, for example, rice or pasta salad and cold meats, cheese and dessert). There are also several restaurants to dine at in the villages.
Difficulty and terrain
This holiday is appropriate for walkers with a good level of fitness; average daily walking distance is 10 to 12km on marked trails and forest paths with some elevation gains and the occasional ascent to reach certain parts of the trails (read more about difficulty grades). We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps in your holiday information pack, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime.
When to go
This trip is available from April to October.
The flexibility of self-guided holidays means there are no fixed dates, meaning you can start your trip on any date during the season.
In April, average maximum temperatures are 13C, going up to 21C in July and August and dipping to 15C in October. For more information on travelling in France, please visit our blog Best time to go to France.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended arrival airports for this holiday are Caen Airport (CFR) (domestic flights only), Rennes Bretagne (RNS) and Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG).
By train or bus
If you are able to travel to France without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail with the train station in Cherbourg – for more details, see the national rail operator SNCF Connect or use the Omio planner above.
It is also possible to reach Cherbourg by ferry, with multiple weekly sailings from Portsmouth (5h), Poole (6h) and Dublin (19h). For more information visit Brittany Ferries and Irish Ferries or use the Omio planner above
From Caen Airport (CFR) catch the number 3 bus to Caen centre (30mins) and from Caen centre, a 1h 11mins train to Cherbourg – for more details, see the national rail operator SNCF Connect or use the Omio planner above.
Inclusions
Included
- 3 nights accommodation
- 3 breakfasts
- 1 picnic lunch on day three
- 2 cold dinners on days two and three
- Private taxi transfers as listed in the itinerary: Cherbourg – Omonville-la-Petite (day two), Omonville-la-Petite – Nez de Jobourg (day three), Baie d’Écalgrain – Omonville-la-Petite (day three), Omonville-la-Petite – Cherbourg (day four)
- Digital trips materials
- GPX files
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Flights and airport transfers
- Lunch on days one, two and four
- Dinner on days one and four
- Land transfers and other public transport
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses such as snacks, drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
- Entrance fees for attractions and museums (payable on site)
- Local tourist taxes
- Any items not specifically mentioned as ‘included’ in the programme
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Extra nights can be booked on request
- Private arrival transfer from Cherbourg train station to Cherbourg hotel
- Additional fee for sending documents to the hotel for last-minute bookings
