South-east of Houlgate, passing through Gonneville-sur-Mer

Beautiful hike in the Normandy countryside, passing through Gonneville-sur-Mer and the Houlgate golf course to the ledge and view of the coast from the orientation table.

Details

198819
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.13 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 314 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 312 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 133 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 12 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Houlgate (14510)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 49.304487° / W 0.07465°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 1612E, 1612OT, 1711OT, 1712SB
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Leave from the car park at Houlgate Casino.

(S/E) Leave towards the south-east on Avenue du Sporting, crossing the children's play park (toilets). Turn left on to Rue Marchal de Calvi, then take the right. At the end, turn left on to Rue Jean Vasnier, then right on to Rue Louis Tillaye, veering to the left to climb the steps.

(1) Take the right in the housing estate onto Chemin des Sycomores. Pass the roundabout and veer left. At the end, take the path blocked by a green barrier, which you must go around on the left-hand side, in order to go down Chemin des Genêts, then turn lleft to join up with the D513 (take caution) again.

(2) Follow the road on the left-hand side and at the next crossroads, cross over and take the Chemin des Egrillards.

(3) Turn left on to the D24, then right on to Chemin des Rouges Terres. Cross over the railway and continue along the path straight on uphill for 2500 m, passing in front of the Château de Dramard.

(4) Turn left at a right angle and continue straight on, going downhill and then uphill.

(5) Follow the Route Neuve to go straight over at the crossroads and go back down towards the church in Gonneville by turning left on to Route de Dozulé.

(6) Take the left opposite the car park. 200 m later, veer to the right on to the path and follow it.

(7) Turn left on to route D142a and, after 300 m, veer to the right on to the Chemin de l'Aumône. Cross the D24 and cross the railway line to carry on alongside the golf course.

(8) Go along the D513 for 300 m uphill (be careful), follow the road and take the left at an acute angle on to the Chemin de la Montagne. At the crossroads, continue straight onwards on the Chemin des Egrillards heading downhill. After the cemetery, veer to the right due north, climbing uphill.

(9) Veer to the left, then after 250 m, still to the left, on to Route de la Corniche (D163).

(10) Continue due west on Chemin du Sémaphore to arrive at the orientation table and admire the view.
Then go down the steps to return to the car park by the seaside (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 12 m - Casino car park
  2. 1 : km 0.96 - alt. 81 m - Turn right into the housing estate
  3. 2 : km 2.19 - alt. 42 m - Along the D513
  4. 3 : km 2.81 - alt. 27 m - Turn left on the D24
  5. 4 : km 4.59 - alt. 133 m - Tilt left - Drochon (fleuve)
  6. 5 : km 5.64 - alt. 123 m - Crossing the Route Neuve
  7. 6 : km 6.69 - alt. 81 m - Turn left opposite the car park
  8. 7 : km 7.31 - alt. 87 m - Turn left onto D142a
  9. 8 : km 9.1 - alt. 109 m - Follow the D513 for 300m
  10. 9 : km 10.97 - alt. 116 m - Turning left
  11. 10 : km 11.85 - alt. 109 m - Continue due west on Chemin du Sémaphore
  12. S/E : km 13.13 - alt. 12 m - Casino car park

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 50 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Patobser
Patobser

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

As always, we can only thank the route planners. No complaints whatsoever; however, to avoid the steep climb, I did the route in the opposite direction with a few minor adjustments, resulting in short climbs of 500m instead of 1000 to 2500m (approximately, as I didn’t measure them). Some of my hiking friends aren’t too keen on hills.
Also, the town hall has closed the small path to the Pagné fountain (for how long)
To avoid getting stuck, from point 8, turn left and, instead of continuing straight on, take the first path on the right, which is the continuation of the mountain path.
Despite the proximity of this large town, there are still plenty of quiet, unpaved paths.

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coco93
coco93

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 18, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

beautiful sea view

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User 14609460

Crossing the "Chemin des Sycomores" housing estate is complicated, as it is difficult to know which road to take on the left at the roundabout.
Chemin de la Fontaine Pannier is no longer accessible, so you have to stay on Chemin de la Montagne until the end.
Otherwise, it's a pleasant wooded route

Overall rating: 4/5

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User 14609460

Crossing the "Chemin des Sycomores" housing estate is complicated, as it is difficult to know which road to take on the left at the roundabout.
Chemin de la Fontaine Pannier is no longer accessible, so you have to stay on Chemin de la Montagne until the end.
Otherwise, it's a pleasant wooded route

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pucci
pucci

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A great walking route: around 1/4 of the route takes in superb properties and 3/4 is on shady paths. With climbs and descents.
The start and finish had to be changed as access to the orientation table was closed until 31 May for repairs.

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Basteh
Basteh

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely, sporty walk.

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Fabibi14
Fabibi14

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk. However, it is important to follow the GPS.

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tegnaf
tegnaf

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Some additional information, such as the names of the lanes, would be welcome.
Nice walk though.

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SOFIA MARMOTON
SOFIA MARMOTON

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

The route has no "aesthetic" interest and is very monotonous, except perhaps in the vicinity of Gonneville. No time is wasted admiring the landscape or taking photos, so you can "trace a little" and finish in 2h30, but as it only goes up and down, it's very good for the thighs... A good workout that makes you want to run.

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MERE VEILLE
MERE VEILLE

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Significant gradient. Too much tarmac at the end on a busy road.

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MERE VEILLE
MERE VEILLE

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Significant gradient. Too much tarmac at the end on a busy road.

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Corinne SOUPIZET
Corinne SOUPIZET

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice walk with lots of paths in the hills above Houlgate. Walked with snow and a beautiful winter sun, magnificent!

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randoce
randoce

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

circuit travelled by 2 lovers......
Well described, to be done in the direction indicated....
Beautiful picnic spot at Gonneville sur Mer....

.

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DaDoRando14
DaDoRando14
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Overall, an interesting and varied walk, mainly on footpaths (not many roads, but the few that were were very busy). Some of the paths were very wet, but not impassable. Beware of the difference in altitude: in particular, after crossing the railway line, the climb up to Dramart castle is long and quite demanding.
After (8), to avoid the final climb, on the Chemin de la Montagne, at the crossroads, do not continue straight ahead on the Chemin des Egrillards, but take the small road on the right that leads back to the D 163 near (9).
Don't attempt this hike in the opposite direction: the locals call it the 100-step hike!

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Rabatteur27
Rabatteur27

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Well-shaded walk, completed in the middle of a heatwave without any problems.
Undulating, with some beautiful, well-hidden properties,
Follow the description at the beginning to get out of Houlgate.
1st part of little interest...

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