Carteret circular via Les Mielles, the coastal path and the beach

The walk starts from Croix aux Marins, where you can park. Other parking is available on Route de la Corniche, below.

(S/E) Go down the dirt track to the Route de la Corniche.

(1) Follow the road, turning left. In the bend, there is a bench where you can enjoy the view of the Carteret dunes and the fishing port. Continue downhill and join the Promenade Abbé Lebouteiller.

(2) Turn right to cross at the pedestrian crossing, then turn left and walk along the ocean. Continue along the shopping street (Rue de l'Océan).

(3) At the slipway, near the Café du Port, turn left at a right angle to walk up Avenue de la République on the left-hand pavement. Leave Rue du Cap on your left, continue to the crossroads about 30 metres further on, and turn left onto Avenue des Douits, which runs alongside the stream of the same name. Continue to the edge of the village, at the pumping station and near the Fontaine de Lache Poulain fountain.

(4) Turn left to enter the Hatainville Dunes Reserve on a variant of the GR®. Follow this variant, climbing behind the Hameaux de la Mer (les Mielles), then descending towards the sea. Reach the junction with the GR®223 and the GRP® du Tour de la Presqu'île du Cotentin.

(5) Continue straight ahead to the ocean, turn left onto the path towards the lighthouse. Pass close to the Fontaine Saint-Martin fountain and reach the ruins of the Old Church, where a few photos are a must.

(6) Turn left to begin the climb to the Carteret lighthouse, then descend to reach Cap de Carteret and the remains of the fortifications. The Carteret batteries are remnants of the defences at the entrance to the Barneville-Carteret harbour.

(7) Head back towards the village via the Sentier des Douaniers.

(8) At the end of the path, on the right, a staircase leads down to the beach, where you can see the Carteret beach huts, some of which are listed buildings. At the end of the rockfill, turn left before La Potinière; a staircase and then a path lead up to the Route de la Corniche, offering a beautiful panorama and some lovely anemomorphoses (trees and plants deformed by the wind).

(1) When you reach the road, the small dirt track opposite takes you back up to the cross, the sailors' memorial and the car park (S/E).

This easy circular loop starts at Croix aux Marins, crosses the village and climbs up to the rear of the village with views of the Hatainville dunes, before rejoining the Sentier des Douaniers.

There are no specific water points, except in the shops in the village. Closed shoes are still recommended.

You can visit the lighthouse, pass by La Roche Biard, or go further into the dunes of Hatainville.