Green Lanes

Explore Jersey’s Green Lanes

Make tracks on foot or pedal along the ‘Green Lanes’ for a breathtaking discovery of Jersey. It is the only way to experience the island’s natural beauty, its agricultural diversity, architectural heritage, history and traditions.

To protect our quiet country lanes and to let users enjoy them in safety, Jersey has introduced an intricate network of 50 miles of country lanes. These designated ‘Green Lanes’ have a speed limit of 15 mph (24 km/h) with priority given to walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

Green Lanes exist in all but two of Jersey’s twelve parishes (Trinity and St Saviour) and can be identified by a distinctive ‘Green Lane’ road sign.

Don’t miss the opportunity of walking at least a portion of the island’s network of footpaths and lanes so as not to miss the real charm of Jersey – the attractions of its countryside and less frequented coastal stretches.

There is an almost continual footpath along the north coast which gives access to some of the most spectacular scenery in the British Isles. Inland footpaths are not as widespread as on the mainland and rights of way which cross private property, in particular woods and fields are rather the exception.

The first mention of ‘Green Lanes’ came about in 1986 as part of Jersey’s Island plan and was approved by the local government, the States of Jersey in 1987. The plan referred to the identification of tree lined lanes which “were particularly attractive or of great character and antiquity” and stated that "in co-operation with landowners, parishes and States’ departments, every effort would be made to ensure that their character is maintained"

In simple terms, the Island Plan identified the need to maintain the natural beauty of the Island’s narrow, tree lined lanes and in doing so wished to create a sustainable leisure amenity for walkers, cyclists and horse riders where people, not the car, had priority.

The charm and historical interest of many of the Island’s minor roads is derived from their ancient origin. We know from early records that all roads above four feet in width were under Royal supervision and that Jersey had adopted the Norman custom of classifying roads by width so that we find them variously called via regia, cheminium regis, semita regis, in other words ranging from the King’s Highway to the path or sentier. There were also certain ‘rights of way’, sometimes across fields such as the Chemin du Moulin and the Chemin des Morts (used for carrying a coffin from a house to a church).

The first 'Green Lanes' were introduced in the Parish of St Peter in 1994. The concept has achieved enormous recognition and is both popular and extremely successful.