Around the Odet at Stangala

This short walk allows you to explore a part of the Stangala site that is relatively steep and to follow the River Odet.
Returning via a small road allows you to complete a circular route, avoiding the more difficult sections.

Details

562020
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.93 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 430 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 430 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 410 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 52 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Ergué-Gabéric (29500)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 48.027241° / W 4.059441°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 0518OT, 0519ET, 0618OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

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).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 358 ft - Stancou car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.4 - alt. 141 ft - Meil Poul footbridge - Odet
  3. 2 : mi 1.85 - alt. 151 ft - Kerlic car park
  4. 3 : mi 2.1 - alt. 276 ft - Hamlet of Beg ar Ménez
  5. 4 : mi 2.83 - alt. 400 ft - Junction with the Route du Stangala
  6. 5 : mi 3.25 - alt. 351 ft - Gravel path along the edge of a field
  7. 6 : mi 3.45 - alt. 397 ft - Gate at the entrance to the woods
  8. 7 : mi 3.66 - alt. 335 ft - Viewpoint
  9. S/E : mi 3.93 - alt. 358 ft - Stancou car park

Notes

Wear walking shoes for the section between points (S/E) and (2).
The section between points (1) and (2) can be tricky in winter.
Information board showing the site map at the car park at the start.

Worth a visit

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
JMK59
JMK59

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route through the forest. Following the Odet is truly enchanting. The return journey along the Tout is inevitably less pleasant, but the road is quiet, which means you can pass by the Hara.
Do bear in mind, however, that despite the ‘easy’ rating, some sections aren’t easy for people with reduced mobility: short but steep gradients, rocks and roots of all kinds (which I personally love) and possible mud depending on the weather in the preceding days. You really do feel as though you’re in the mountains at times with the sound of the torrent. I loved it.

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Danièle et Patricia
Danièle et Patricia

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

A route best tackled in the warmer months; it’s very, very muddy, with some tricky sections due to the large stones,
you’re constantly watching where you put your feet, so you don’t get to enjoy the scenery.
It must be lovely in spring and summer; we’ll have to do it again.

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DOMYRANDO
DOMYRANDO

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This route is very pleasant, though there is a lot of information missing as there are several possible routes and the website doesn’t provide much detail; particularly regarding the elevation gain and difficulty. The river is lovely, and in this hot weather, dipping my feet in the water was a real treat. I was very surprised to find a site like this in Brittany; I really like old sites and ancient stones, it’s a shame there aren’t any information boards. You have to clear away the ferns to find the fountain. I highly recommend this site. I’ll be back in a different season to enjoy the Odet when it’s more active.

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raminou29
raminou29
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

This route isn't easy, as there are lots of tree roots along the way, and a good part of the return journey is on a tarmac road.
Otherwise, there are lovely views along the river.

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maelan
maelan
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 08, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very good, we really enjoyed it, but it’s true that in heavy rain, the section along the Odet can get a bit tricky

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