Around Larmor-Baden

A route with a wide variety of landscapes, making a large loop around Larmor-Baden from the island "Île Berder" toward the Pen En Toul swamp, the hamlet of La Saline, the Locmiquel cove and the point "Pointe du Berchis". You'll discover the little-known history of Brittany's first airfield, the bird sanctuary and the old salt marshes.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.27 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 32 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 32 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 20 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 0 m

Photos

Description of the walk

GR® 34 marked White and Red

(S/E) At the start of the walk to Berder island (see photo), take the street "Rue du Drénez" in the direction of car traffic.

(1) Turn right into the street "Rue de la Montagne" for 100m, and at the stop sign, turn right into the street "Rue du Perrick", which dead-ends near the shore.

(2) Follow the left-hand path around an oyster-farming site. After passing a small beach, the path climbs back up to two roads "Chemin de Kerdelan", then "Chemin du Moulin".

(3) Turn right into "Chemin de Pen en Toul", from where there's a view of the swamp "Marais de Pen en Toul" on the left. 500 m further on, turn left onto a path leading down to the dike separating the swamp from the cove "Anse de Kerdélan" (see photo).

(4) Cross the dike using the pedestrian walkway on the left of the stone bridge. At the other end of the bridge, turn left onto the footpath. This path runs for about 1.5 km along the brackish-water lagoon, which is rich in biodiversity (see photo).

Unmarked

(5) Continue straight ahead, passing two fountains (see photo). At this point, leave the GR®34, which climbs to the right towards the hamlet of Locqueltas. The path leads to the Saline road, which dead-ends at this point.

(6) Take this road to the left for about 500m, then turn right onto the path that runs behind a shipyard. Approx. 130m further on, first fork in the road (not visible on the map): turn left through an open passage in an embankment. About 150m further on, another fork (not visible on the map): take a second path in the embankment on the right. The path leads to a dead-end in the hamlet of Boulen, which leads to the D316.

(7) Turn left onto the D316 for about 60m to find a wide path on the right (see photo) which leads into the street "Rue Mane ar Velin".

(8) Turn left onto the street "Rue du Danut", which quickly leads to the cove "Anse de Locmiquel". Turn left along the long beach towards Larmor Baden.

GR® 34 marked White and Red.

The path follows the coast past through the point "Pointe du Berchis" to the small beach of the same name.

(9) The path skirts this beach, which may be inaccessible at high tide. Continue along the coast towards Berder island, passing the port "Port Lagaden" (see 2 photos) and the main port of Larmor Baden, where you'll find the landing stage for the island "Île de Gavrinis".

(10) Continue to find the Île Berder passage (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 3 m - Passage de l'Île Berder
  2. 1 : km 0.51 - alt. 17 m - Right Rue de la Montagne
  3. 2 : km 0.98 - alt. 8 m - Path on the left
  4. 3 : km 1.46 - alt. 17 m - To the right, chemin de Pen en Toul
  5. 4 : km 2.13 - alt. 3 m - Pen en Toul dam
  6. 5 : km 2.55 - alt. 2 m - All rights
  7. 6 : km 3.38 - alt. 2 m - Left-hand road
  8. 7 : km 4.41 - alt. 18 m - D316 to the left
  9. 8 : km 4.98 - alt. 15 m - Turn left into Rue du Danut
  10. 9 : km 7.38 - alt. 4 m - Pointe du Berchis
  11. 10 : km 8.73 - alt. 3 m - Pier for Gavrinis
  12. S/E : km 9.27 - alt. 4 m - Passage de l'Île Berder

Practical information

Car Park
(S/E) For crossing to Berder, parking facilities may be inadequate during holiday periods, especially when the pathway is uncovered, but parking spaces are available all along the street "Rue du Drénez".

Island Crossing Info
The crossing to the island is open at each tide for around 4 hours. The tour of the island is about 2.5km long and offers magnificent views of the gulf "Golfe du Morbihan. If your schedule allows it, you can consider a tour of the island at the start or return of this walk (route described on Visorando).

To find out how to get around the island, see the link: Island Crossing Schedules (in French)

In the nearby area

(4) At the entrance to the dyke on the left of the stone bridge, there's an observatory where you can see the water, but the various species of migratory birds that frequent the site are confined to the bottom of the swamp, and binoculars are often needed to observe them.
See link: Observatoire de Pen en Toul (in French)

(5) To the right of the path, two remarkably restored fountains bear witness to past activity. Several information panels recount the history of Brittany's first airfield, which was cancelled (August 1909). The site of the old airfield hangars can still be seen a few hundred metres further.
See link: Bretagne aviation (in French)

(6) Information panels describe the development of the salt marshes, exploited for a short period in the 19th century and now abandoned.
See link: Marais salant de Pen en Toul (in French)

(10) Embark from the port of Larmor-Baden for a stopover on the Isle of Gavrinis and a visit to one of France's most beautiful prehistoric sites: the Gavrinis cairn, probably dedicated to the cult of the dead, erected in the Neolithic period when the Isle of Gavrinis was still attached to the mainland, is today recognised the world over for the profusion of its engraved ornamentation.
See link: Cairn de Gavrinis (in French)

A must-see: the Baden museum Des passions et des Ailes (in French). This museum focuses on the life of Joseph Le Brix, a local boy and one of the most famous pioneers of French aviation.

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

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

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 32 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Youend
Youend

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Another magnificent walk! A very beautiful, varied and rewarding trail, with many information signs on local history along the way (battle with the devil, 1st airfield in Brittany, oyster farming, Gavrinis ...).); the time to read and take photos regularly took me 3 hours to complete the walk; the high tide meant that I wasn't able to walk around Ile Berder, but that will give me the opportunity to come back; the scenery is magnificent and there weren't many people around at that time of year, but you can imagine how crowded it would be in summer! The weather was overcast but I can imagine the beautiful sunsets in the Locmiquel cove 😊 !

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Fabrice TENDRON
Fabrice TENDRON

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Hello, very nice, varied and easy walk.

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BERTRIO
BERTRIO

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Magnificent region, a little spoiled by the weather.

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AirScot
AirScot
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

This hike, with its varied landscapes between the sea and the old salt marshes, is very pleasant, especially if the sun is shining, as you can enjoy the different light conditions (in the undergrowth or by the sea). The walk is easy. However, depending on the season, beware of certain sections that can be very... wet, particularly along the marshes at Pen en Toul. The indicated walking time of 02.30 hrs corresponds to a pace that, if not peaceful, is at least accessible without difficulty!
Finally, the route can be completed by a tour of the island of Berder (well worth it!). Be sure to check the tide tables: the passage leading to the island, although very short, is covered at high tide. So be sure to follow the instructions provided on the spot and don't try to be clever by trying to force your way through: even if you're just ankle-deep in water, the current that submerges the passage can be very strong and destabilising and, combined with the accumulated seaweed, makes for a very ... slippery and potentially very dangerous!

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Pgouazé
Pgouazé

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Nice walk.

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rtaji
rtaji

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice walk with magnificent views and several small beaches suitable for children.
I recommend that you visit the super pretty berder island before starting the walk. The walk around the island is 3 km long, and it takes an hour to get off the island, but be careful of the tide. Just before you take the passage, you'll find the recommended times for leaving the island.

If you're doing the island and you think it's going to be a lot to do the proposed loop in addition, do what I did, I took the walk backwards 10 then 9 then 8 and I took the road to Auray, just before the "7" to get back to the Gavrinis island pier. if you do that, it will take you between 9 and 10 km.

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Mané
Mané

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A beautiful, well-marked walk. Beautiful scenery

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J Rapin
J Rapin

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 09, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice walk!
A very pleasant hike with varied landscapes, shady sections and beautiful viewpoints. Done in September on a beautiful sunny day.
Many other routes in this area.
Worth doing again!

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Andre56
Andre56

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

This is a lovely walk that I know about and that I'm organising with a group for the end of April.

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Hervé Arradon
Hervé Arradon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Superb walk with a pleasant finish in the Locmiquel cove and the Pointe de Berchis. What's more, the weather was fine. Knowing that the tide was out, we went as far as the Pointe de Locmiquel and circumnavigated the 7 Islands (a walk of around 15 km).

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PACPAC
PACPAC

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Very nice circuit between 8 (seaside) and S/E,
Very nice at point 4.
Between 4 and 6 the path is in the vegetation and there are no views over the marsh in summer.
Point 6 is quite beautiful.
The diversion from the road to 7 and 8 has been closed by a gate, so it is necessary to continue on the road to 8 (seafront).
The route was well lit and the weather was cool, but the hike went by too quickly.

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Phil56
Phil56

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice walk. It took us off the beaten track to discover Larmor Baden from original angles. The finish at Anse de Locmiquel was splendid, with a constantly changing view of the islands opposite (Radenec, île longue, Gavrinis). All that was missing was the sun to make the picture even more beautiful!

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samya1971
samya1971

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very nice walk with no particular difficulties. Little traffic on the first part of the route.

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Mike95
Mike95

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful walk offering a variety of landscapes and easy paths, some wooded and some with a wide horizon. We had a great time.
We extended the outing a little by continuing further north at point 7 to pass through La Lande Célino, going as far as the Pointe de Toulevern and then catching up with the original route after crossing Locmiquel.

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Beud's
Beud's

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Nice family hike (with 2 teenagers) combining wooded areas and coastal paths. There are no particular difficulties, and the route is not very busy except on the coastal section. The map and explanations are very well done.
In short, a superb walk that I would recommend.

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