Loop starting from Pointe de la Vieille Chapelle

10 km hike between Sainte-Hélène and the Ria d'Étel.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.32 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 8 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 8 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 11 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Morbihan (56)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 47.704646° / W 3.16511°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 0820SB, 0821OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at Pointe de la Vieille Chapelle: there are several picnic tables and public toilets near the boat launch and an orientation table.

(S/E) Head towards Sainte-Hélène on the paved road for 600 m. Turn right onto the quiet paved road and continue for about 300 m before turning left at the hairpin bend. Continue on this road to reach the entrance to the village of Kerdavid after 300 m.

(1) Turn right and continue for 200 metres, passing the Notre-Dame de Pitié chapel. At the bottom of the hill, keep to the right and cross the village of Kerdavid, with its old renovated farmhouses, for 300 metres.

Take the first road on the left in the village. At the end of the village, take the dead-end road on the right and follow it for 200 metres. Just before the first house on the left, turn left onto a narrow path that starts under a large oak tree. Continue along this small shaded path at the edge of the field/wood for 600 metres until you reach the tarmac road.

(2) Follow this road on the right for 100 metres, taking a small track that follows a fence, then turn right onto the path that leads into the woods.

Pass a marshy area before crossing a small road (700 m after entering the woods) and take the wide, shaded farm track opposite, which you follow for 500 m. A barrier across the track indicates a road which you cross, turning slightly right onto a track that enters a pine forest: the Bois des Landes de Folive (red markings)

(3) 200m after entering the woods, there is a small area with a bench next to a large pond. 200m further on, at the crossroads of two large forest tracks, follow the red markings to the left to arrive 300m further on at a barrier.

(4) Turn left onto a very small, poorly maintained paved road and continue for approximately 350 metres. Turn right and follow the road for 50 metres before crossing it and turning left onto a track towards Le Moustoir. Follow this track for 300 metres before taking a gravel path on the right between two alleys of rushes. 200 metres further on, stay on the main path which veers to the left before passing a wetland area. For information, for 900 metres, we followed the Pont Madame circuit.

(5) After a second small wooden bridge, stay on the path on the left and, 30 metres further on, turn right to cross another small wooden bridge.

(6) If the ground is not too muddy, take a small path on the left that runs alongside a small stream which, depending on the tide, may be completely flooded (if the ground is muddy, see the possible alternative in the Practical Information section). After 200 metres, turn right to follow the inlet on your left before turning inland and crossing a long wooden bridge.
after 150 metres, you will come to a viewpoint on the left of the path where you can observe the wildlife in this small inlet. Continue along the path.

(7) At Moulin de Berringue (right bank), take the footbridge on the left towards Le Moustoir. After 500 m, when you reach the tarmac road, turn right towards the coastal path.

(8) After 200m, leave this paved road before the first house on the left and take a path between two fences. This path is not very well marked (for information, you are 200m from the Moulin de Berringue, on the left bank).

In the village of Le Moustoir, go down to the beach. If the tide is high, leave this beach before you reach a high wall and follow the sign for the coastal path. Otherwise, leave it 100m further on and pass under a group of pine trees sheltering a wooden table. Continue for 60 metres until you reach the tarmac road, then take the coastal path on the right and continue straight ahead for 150 metres.

Follow this coastal path, which starts on the left at the end of the tarmac road, to Dré Hen beach, about 1 km away.

(9) Turn right to walk along the beach and its few picnic tables, then continue straight ahead to reach the Pointe de la Vieille Chapelle, which is about 1 km away (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 3 m - Pointe de Kérantréh car park
  2. 1 : km 1.23 - alt. 8 m - Entrance to Kerdavid, on the right
  3. 2 : km 2.46 - alt. 2 m - Tarmac road, on the right
  4. 3 : km 3.86 - alt. 8 m - Mare du Bois des Landes de Folive
  5. 4 : km 4.32 - alt. 4 m - Turn left onto the road
  6. 5 : km 5.6 - alt. 2 m - Second wooden bridge
  7. 6 : km 5.75 - alt. 2 m - Fifth wooden bridge, path on the left
  8. 7 : km 6.94 - alt. 2 m - Berringue Mill, on the left on the footbridge
  9. 8 : km 7.68 - alt. 5 m - Small path on the left
  10. 9 : km 9.37 - alt. 3 m - Dré Hen beach
  11. S/E : km 10.32 - alt. 3 m - Pointe de Kérantréh car park

Notes

Public toilets at the end of Pointe de la Vieille Chapelle near the boat launch and orientation table.
There are numerous wooden picnic tables at Pointe de la Vieille Chapelle.

(6) If the ground is muddy (route not shown on the map), continue straight ahead for 100m, turn left for 100m, then further on, turn right and join the long wooden bridge.

Worth a visit

See the old stone farmhouses in the villages of Kerdavid and Le Moustoir.
See the 19th-century Notre-Dame de Pitié Chapel, dedicated to sailors.
Stop at the entrance to Sainte-Hélène on the way back to see the wash house.

If you're more interested in kayaking than walking, explore the upper part of the Ria d'Etel by kayak.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 38 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
User 9019180

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 04, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We went on a hike with the children (aged 4 and 9). It was great – the route was easy to follow and the scenery was varied. I’d recommend it.

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azzomarie
azzomarie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy walk between land and sea. A few roads, but little-travelled. Magnificent scenery along the Ria!

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Andre4954
Andre4954

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant walk between land and sea

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psny
psny

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, easy walk. Flat route.

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Jojo marcheur
Jojo marcheur

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Well done to the person who came up with this very varied route, which takes in grasses and meadows with very few roads. The route runs alongside the Ria, through woods, in a well-balanced loop.

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M@lher56%
M@lher56%

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

An interesting route that takes in the Etel ria. Access to the pointe de la chapelle is by road, which is a shame! Numerous oyster-farming sites prevent access to some of the points. We did it at high tide and in bright sunshine = very pleasant. We did the walk in the opposite direction to the one recommended.

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JMC35
JMC35
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

between 2 and 7, path often wet. possible parking at Kerdavid (ND de pitié chapel). avoid a return journey on the road to the pointe (to be seen anyway with your vehicle). at Moustoir, small passage on the beach inaccessible at high tide. in 7, possibility of combining with the circuit "la ria par les pinedes".

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Schmilbilic
Schmilbilic

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The Ria d'Etel is no match for the Gulf of Morbihan. Its extremely indented shores offer a wide variety of exceptional viewpoints that change with the tides. In wet weather, it is advisable to be well shod, especially from point 6 towards the Moulin de Berringue. The proposed alternative of continuing straight ahead is also problematic in very wet weather. Perhaps taking the path to the right to join the tarmac road towards the mill is a better idea. I haven't tried it. In any case, it's a very nice walk.

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jean-simon jollivet
jean-simon jollivet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

excellent, easy walk; the scenery around Béringue and the Ria d'Etel is magnificent.

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Marie O
Marie O

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : No

I must say I was very disappointed except in the forest area near the Etang de Berringue. If you don't have much time, go for "la ria des pinèdes".

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castor56
castor56

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice walk,
But be sure to follow the route description carefully, as there are several circuits that overlap.

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daniellerando
daniellerando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

PRETTY LOOP, EASY TO FOLLOW, FEW ROADS, UNDERGROWTH A LITTLE DAMP,
SUPERB THE EDGES OF THE RIA, VARIED LANDSCAPES,
BELLE DECOUVERTE

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Pascal C56
Pascal C56

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We did this magnificent, well-marked loop twice.
If you can, do this tour in the morning and at high tide. It will be enchanting, especially around the Berringue mill.
The route is very easy to follow and not very difficult.

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pvcoriolis
pvcoriolis

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Nice walk but less than "La ria par les pinèdes" (The ria through the pine forests)

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Marc Petitrenaud
Marc Petitrenaud

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 20, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I can only compliment the quality and accuracy of the description of this walk. It's hard to get the route wrong, or you just can't read. In addition to the quality of the summary, the route is really superb, with a minimum of small roads and some undergrowth, not to mention the fact that at this time of year we met very few people.
Thanks again for this wonderful discovery.
Marc

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