Walking Opportunities around Stanley

If you like walking, you might wish to explore the sand dunes en route to Cape Pembroke Lighthouse, or stroll along the white sand beach of Surf Bay. Watch the South Atlantic rollers caress the shoreline often bringing with them seals, dolphins and a penguin or two playing in the surf close to the water's edge.

Alternatively, take an exhilarating hike into the hills around Stanley for fantastic views of the town and a look at the memorials for the 1982 conflict. A unique walk around the Solar System sculpture takes in models of the planets and two of these hills - the only place in the World where you can walk around all the planets in a day, built to scale!

Suggested Walks

Walking times are, of course, approximate and based on continuous walking, allow extra for sight-seeing en route. Outside central Stanley there are no shops or public toilet facilities.

Please read the Countryside Code and the advice given about hiking to make sure you get the best of your experience. Download the Stanley map, (340kb) to help with direction finding - or collect one from the Jetty Visitor Centre before you leave.

Central Stanley - Jetty Centre to Museum: One hour return

Where to go:
Simply walk west along Ross Road by the waterfront as far as Holdfast Road, just after the Jhelum shipwreck.
Turn left to reach the Museum, the building with the yellow roof.

Look out for:
Buildings and monuments of historical interest including war memorials and Government House; shops for souvenirs and snacks; seabirds; the occasional dolphin, penguin or seal; on the opposite shore, the names of Falkland Island Guard Ships set out using stones; the Solar System Sculpture (situated on the sea wall by the 1918 memorial); remains of the “Jhelum” shipwreck.

Central Stanley - Jetty Centre to the Seamen’s Mission: One hour return (allow longer if taking in the Memorial Wood)

Where to go:
Walk east along Ross Road from just above the Jetty Centre, continuing through the new development of East Stanley.
As the road bends uphill to the right, take the path along the shore.
The walk ends opposite the floating dock, used today as Stanley’s main commercial port facility, at the Seamen’s Mission  which serves meals, snacks and drinks at selected hours.

Look out for:
The Globe Tavern and Falkland Island Company offices; the cemetery, war memorial and the 1982 Memorial Wood (set back from the waterfront on the right hand side of the road - the latter is an interesting add-on to the walk and a poignant reminder of those who lost their lives in the Conflict); seabirds; the occasional dolphin, penguin or seal; on the opposite shore, the names of Falkland Island Guard Ships set out using stones; skeletal shipwrecks.


Seamen’s Mission to Gypsy Cove: Three hours return (allow an additional hour for the extension, one-way)
Ideal to add on to the Jetty Centre – Seamen’s Mission walk for a half-day out. Use the map recommended at the opening of this section which has an inset showing the layout of the land for this route. It's a good idea to take snacks and drinks.

Where to go:
From the Seamen’s Mission follow the coastline or the gravelled road to the east, to an area known as the Canache.
Cross Boxer Bridge, built by Gurkha Engineers, and follow the road around to Whalebone Cove where the wreck of the "Lady Elizabeth" is easy to see.
Walk along the shore past the shipwreck then head straight over the ridge to the north and turn left along the stony road to Gypsy Cove car park. From the car park, a gate leads through to the Gypsy Cove trail where, during the summer months, Magellanic penguins return to their burrows.
When large cruise ships visit, the "Coach House Cafe" opens with drinks and snacks and public toilets are available.
Return via the same route.

Look out for:
Seabirds; the occasional dolphin, seal or King Penguin; Variable (red-backed) Hawk; small bird species; native flora; Night herons, rock cormorants and Magellanic penguins in Gypsy Cove; the "Lady Liz" (of course!)

Extension – for those with more time to spare, a longer route can be taken from Whalebone Cove to Gypsy Cove.
Walk along the shoreline past the "Lady Liz" to "Engineer Point" and follow the coastline around through Hadassa Bay to Gypsy Cove on the north side. Gypsy Cove is evident due to the overlooking wooden viewing platforms and gravelled paths which lead to a car-parking area.
From here a taxi could be summoned to take you home if you have brought a mobile phone and the number. Alternatively, follow the road to the top of the hill then continue straight ahead to sight the "Lady Liz" and re-trace the return section.


Look out for:
This extended route passes the nesting area of the Hawk and includes a larger variety of flora; Wrecks of the Plym and the Samson


Cape Pembroke Lighthouse: one hour return from road-side drop-off
Energetic walkers may choose to make this an entire day walk from central Stanley. Use the map recommended at the opening of this section which has an inset showing the layout of the land for this route. It's a good idea to take snacks and drinks.

Where to go:
This route can be added on from the Seamen's Mission (see above).
Follow the coastline or the gravelled road to the east, to an area known as the Canache.
Cross Boxer Bridge, built by Gurkha Engineers, and follow the road around to Whalebone Cove where the wreck of the "Lady Elizabeth" is easy to see.
Continue along the gravelled road to Stanley Airport. After a short distance on tarmac, a gravel road heads directly east in the direction of Cape Pembroke Lighthouse.
For a shorter version, park or arrange for a drop-off at this gravel road.
There are various tracks to the lighthouse from here - all ultimately lead to the same point, the most eastern point of the Islands. The most northerly track is the most scenically attractive, passing alongside white sandy, beaches (unfortunately many of these are mined) and with excellent views of the ocean and hills, Top, Middle and Bottom Islands.

Look out for:
Seabirds; waterbirds; small bird species; marine mammals offshore; variety of flora.
At the Lighthouse: A key for the lighthouse can be obtained in advance from the Museum for a small charge, enabling visitors to enjoy a spectacular view of the surroundings. A memorial to the Atlantic Conveyor is situated just beyond the lighthouse. Many interesting plants grow here including wild celery. Seals sometimes bask on the adjacent beach in summer months and grass wrens are often seen.


Solar System Sculpture Walk: 5 hours (Consult the Jetty Visitor Centre for more information or ask for local advice about finding the planets before undertaking this walk)
The Solar System Sculpture is fascinating. Made entirely from recycled materials by a local enthusiast, it is to scale for both planet size and inter-planetary distances. Pluto is included as the Sculpture was constructed prior to its demotion as a full-blown planet. The Sun is in line of sight from every planet. The walk around the Solar System can be taken in either direction, but if a drop-off can be arranged at Moody Brook it enables the walker to complete the planetary experience in central Stanley, with easy access to “home”.


Where to go:
Pluto is situated at the top of Mount Tumbledown. From here, head to Wireless Ridge and walk along the top to find Neptune and Uranus.
Walk downards at a convenient point (but beware the electric fence) to discover Jupiter on the shoreline, straight opposite the Sun.
Turn back (i.e. through 180 degrees) at this point and enjoy a pleasant walk along the shore, following the coastline back to Stanley.
The inner planets are close together, situated on the sea wall between Jhelum House and the Sun at the foot of the 1918 Battle Memorial.

Look out for:
Seabirds; small bird species; native flora; Argentine kitchen below Tumbledown summit; memorial at Tumbledown summit; the planets (of course!)