Where to go walking in Brittany

Coastal areas for walking in Brittany

For a few days, concentrate on one area. You will keep time for walking and can adapt outings to the weather. This article follows the coast from north to south, then continues into Loire-Atlantique.

1. The Emerald Coast
2. The Pink Granite Coast and Goëlo
3. The Côte des Légendes and the abers
4. Crozon and Cornouaille
5. The Gulf of Morbihan and Belle-Île
6. Guérande and the Côte d’Amour

To compare the holiday styles and itineraries available in the region:

Locate the walking areas on the map

Each marker identifies a town in the area and links to its description. This map locates destinations. It does not show walking routes.

The Brittany coast and the continuation toward Guérande

Show the interactive map 6 points of interest

The Emerald Coast, between maritime towns and cliffs

Fort La Latte on the Emerald Coast © Adobe Stock

From Cancale to Cap Fréhel, the Emerald Coast combines harbors with headlands and heathland. Saint-Malo and Dinard let you add maritime history to a walking holiday. Farther west, the cliffs of Cap Fréhel and Fort La Latte give the coastline a different scale.

Choose this area if you enjoy alternating walking days with stops in town. Before booking overnight stays, check the distances between stages and the options for returning. Following the coast takes longer than connecting 2 places by road.

A day walk: the Pointe du Grouin circuit. Starting from the Chapelle du Verger, allow for 14.9 km, 236 m of ascent and 4 hours 30 minutes of walking. The circuit is rated difficult. Successive coves around the headland bring climbs and descents, so leave plenty of time.

For a route over several stages, our self-guided Emerald Coast walking holiday (in French) sets out the itinerary and arrangements.

The Pink Granite Coast and Goëlo, from harbors to sculpted rocks

Mean Ruz lighthouse on the Pink Granite Coast © Emmanuel Berthier

Around Perros-Guirec, Ploumanac’h and Trégastel, pink granite blocks give the coastal path its characteristic shapes. It is a good choice for a first stay by the sea. Spend several nights in the same area or continue on foot between overnight stops.

A circular route: the paths of Ploumanac’h. Allow for 8.59 km, 170 m of ascent and about 2 hours 55 minutes, depending on your pace. The waymarking is yellow. These figures cover the complete circuit, rather than a short return walk to the lighthouse. Add time for breaks.

Farther east, Goëlo provides a different stay around Paimpol and the Île de Bréhat. Give it its own time for exploration. A visit to Bréhat means fitting both boat crossings into the day.

For a closer look at this area, see our Pink Granite Coast itineraries (in French).

The Côte des Légendes and the abers, in northern Finistère

Northern Finistère changes character between the rocks of the Côte des Légendes and the estuaries of the Pays des Abers. These neighboring areas suit different stays. The Côte des Légendes combines rocks and beaches. The abers stand out for their long inlets extending inland.

An aber is a former river valley flooded by the sea. It differs from a fjord, which was carved by a glacier. At low tide, sandbanks and mudflats transform the landscape. The length of a stage depends on the estuary’s shape and crossing points. The opposite bank may look close while requiring a long detour.

Choose this area for dune and estuary landscapes, planning accommodation around the actual stages of the path. If you would like to add an island, our holiday from the abers to Ouessant (in French) combines northern Finistère’s coast with an island visit. The crossing remains part of the holiday arrangements.

Crozon and Cornouaille, for headlands and the Iroise Sea

Crozon peninsula © Daniel Michel

Between Brest harbor and the Bay of Douarnenez, the Crozon peninsula brings together cliffs and coves. The sea is often in view. Descents to the bays and climbs back onto the headlands make some stages demanding. Choose this area if you want hilly walking days and headland landscapes.

A day walk: Pointe de Dinan and Lostmarc’h. The circuit is 13 km, with 165 m of ascent, taking about 4 hours. It starts at the Pointe de Dinan parking lot. The route reveals the variety of coastal rocks. Detours onto the foreshore depend on the tide and access conditions.

Before setting out, check closures and diversions with the tourist office. Sections near cliffs may change. Our holiday on the Crozon peninsula and Ouessant (in French) lets you compare the planned stages with your usual walking.

South of the Bay of Douarnenez, Cap Sizun extends toward the Pointe du Raz. Continuing south through Cornouaille brings you to Penmarc’h, then Bénodet and Pont-Aven. Plan a separate stay to explore this part of the coast.

The Gulf of Morbihan and Belle-Île: 2 settings in southern Brittany

Île de Houat © Yannick Le Gal

The shores of the Gulf of Morbihan suit walkers who want the landscapes of an inland sea. Its islands and headlands encourage varied outings, but each needs to take boat services into account. Our Morbihan walking holiday (in French) shows how these journeys fit into the days.

Belle-Île-en-Mer and Houat lie offshore, outside the gulf. Keep this distinction in mind when organizing crossings. Belle-Île has an ocean-facing coast and stages whose hills need appropriate preparation.

If you are considering walking all the way around Belle-Île, start with our guide to preparing for the GR340 (in French). If you are still choosing dates, our guide to walking seasons on Belle-Île helps shape the plan before selecting stages.

Guérande and the Côte d’Amour, continuing into Loire-Atlantique

The Guérande peninsula continues this coastal journey toward the salt marshes and the Côte d’Amour around La Baule. It belongs to Loire-Atlantique, in the administrative region of Pays de la Loire. This extension is therefore separate from the Brittany areas described above.

The salt marshes contrast with the headlands of Finistère. Follow permitted routes and organized visits to discover them. They are working environments too. Our Guérande peninsula holiday (in French) describes the planned days and transport.

Prepare your days on Brittany’s paths

Check total ascent. Coastal altitude stays modest, but descents into coves add up. Compare a stage’s walking time and climbs with a walk you already know. The figures in the examples above describe specific circuits, rather than their entire areas.

Arrange the return before setting out. A circular walk brings you back to the start. A section of the GR34 (in French) may need a transfer. For an island, book the necessary crossings and check return times. Consult local weather and path alerts too. Adapt your outing if a path closes or conditions deteriorate sharply.

Distinguish walking routes from cycle routes. The Vélomaritime has its own cycling itinerary. The GR34 is a walking route. Sharing a destination does not mean you can follow the same path by bicycle. For a cycling holiday, start with the stages of the Vélomaritime on Brittany’s north coast.

Carry wind and rain protection, water and sun protection. The weather can change during the day. Leave time for breaks and respect waymarked routes, especially across dunes and beside cliffs.

An address in Paimpol for exploring Goëlo

For a stay in Paimpol, Les Hauts de Kerano combines a hotel with the Ostium restaurant. Consider it as a fixed base for exploring Goëlo. Access to Bréhat needs separate arrangements.

To travel with Grand Angle, first choose the area that interests you. Then choose a holiday whose days suit your pace. Our advisers can help match your walking habits to the stages of the trip.

Questions about walking in Brittany

Where should you go for a first walking holiday in Brittany?

The Pink Granite Coast is a good starting point for coastal walks of varied lengths. The Emerald Coast also suits travelers who want to combine walking and historic places. Choose a specific route by its duration, terrain and ascent, rather than by the area’s reputation alone.

When should you walk on the Brittany coast?

Spring and early fall often bring fewer walkers than the height of summer. Summer offers long days, with more demand for accommodation in the best-known areas.

Can you explore Brittany on foot in a week?

A week lets you discover one area over several stages or from a fixed base. Save more distant stretches of coast for another trip. Journeys and transfers take time. Arriving on the mainland and walking on an island also means leaving room for crossings.

Can you walk away from the coast?

Yes. The Monts d’Arrée and Brocéliande forest offer other landscapes, among heathland and woodland. These destinations complement the coastlines covered here.