Stancou car park.
Access to this car park is clearly signposted after passing under the N165, in the Gourvily area (North Quimper).
Yellow markings
(S/E) At the car park, look for a signpost (No. 13) on the right and follow this narrow rocky path down to a viewpoint overlooking the Stangala Valley, through which the Odet flows. Turn back and immediately turn right, crossing a wooden footbridge and a few wooden steps. Join a wider path and follow it to the right.
No Signposting
At the first fork (signpost), turn right – despite the Yellow Cross – onto the wide stony path leading down towards the Odet. Pass a signpost marked “L’Odet”. This path winds down in numerous hairpin bends to emerge in front of the Meil Poul footbridge. On the opposite bank stand the ruins of an old mill, hence the name (from “Meil”: mill, and “Poul”: waterhole).
GR®38 + Yellowsignposting
(1) Do not cross this footbridge but turn right to follow the Odet along the right bank towards Kerlic (signpost).
Continue along this path beside the river for almost 2 km. In winter, depending on the river level, some sections can be very muddy. At times, the path climbs slightly to overlook the river before drawing close to it again.
Cross a boardwalk to get through a wet area. At the signpost, continue straight ahead, ignoring a path that climbs up to the right.
Unmarked
At a three-way junction, leave the marked path on the right and turn left to follow the river more closely. This path is mainly used by anglers.
Reach a cleared area (former pine forest) and continue along the river, then turn right to rejoin the marked path.
GR®38 + YellowMarkings
Continue along the path as it climbs away from the riverbank and reach a car park, the Kerlic car park.
Unmarked
(2) On leaving the car park, take the small road that climbs to the right. Stay on the road, ignoring a path branching off to the right at the first bend, and reach the first hamlet.
(3) Walk through the hamlet of Beg ar Ménez, ignoring the road leading down to the left, and continue along the road heading due north. Walk alongside meadows where horses are grazing, pass an equestrian centre on your right and continue along the Chemin de Penhoat, ignoring all turn-offs to the right and left. Join the Route du Stangala at a Stop sign.
(4) Turn right, follow this small road and leave the Allée du Stancou, which leads to houses, on your right.
(5) After a 50 km/h speed limit sign (viewed from behind) and before reaching the car park, turn left, ignoring the Yellow Cross, and follow the wide stony path that runs alongside a field on the edge of the woodland. At the end, turn right.
(6) Pass through a gate marking the boundary of the woodland (sign: Protected Natural Area, Stangala Valley) and follow the path heading east.
At the signpost, take a short detour to another viewpoint.
(7) Turn back and continue along the path to the left. Turn onto the first path on the right (green dot on a tree), go round a picnic table and head up to the right towards the gate marking the boundary of the car park (S/E).