Circular route between Fermanville and Cosqueville

Note: the words in italics in the description correspond to a photo.

Park in the small car park on Chemin du Viaduc, not far from the cemetery.

(S/E) Leave the car park heading east towards the viaduct, leaving the large oak tree and the cemetery on your right. At the fork, leave Chemin de l'Église on your left and continue straight on the main path. Once you enter the woods, take the small path parallel to the main path so you don't miss the descent of Chemin des Marettes on the left.

(1) Take this fairly steep path, where it is possible to turn left halfway to break the slope. At the bottom of the path, at the old chapel, turn left. At the bend, leave Chemin de la Cloche on your left, cross the stream and, at the bench, start climbing Chemin de l'Huilerie on the right, which leads to a wider path. Continue climbing a little to the right, then turn left onto Chasse des Princes.

(2) At the end of this path, turn left and, at the next fork, leave the Chasse des Esserts on your left and continue straight up. You will soon come to a tarmac road. Leave the small road on your right and continue along the Chasse des Loges to reach a road (voie communale de la Heugue). Turn right and continue for a good hundred metres.

(3) Take the Chasse des Fossés on the left to come out onto a small tarmac road further on. Follow it, keeping to your right.

(4) After 200 metres, turn left onto Chemin du Moulin d'Abraie. Follow this path, passing Chasse de la Perruche on your left and then Chasse de la Vallée on your right. Cross the road and continue straight on along Chasse du Rocher. Pass Chasse des Robiaux on your left and an old wash house on your right before arriving at Hameau Morel.

(5) Take the tarmac road on the left and immediately turn right. Pass a street on your right to reach an intersection and continue straight ahead for about 50 metres.

(6) Take the small path on your left between two houses. Cross the D116 departmental road with caution and walk a few metres to the right. Continue along the path on your left, which will take you straight to the Church of Notre-Dame de Cosqueville. Leave the church on your left and continue for about 200 metres.

(7) Turn left onto the path that leads to Hameau Monnaie.

(8) At the exit, remember to turn right to reach the Hameau de la Mer. Continue straight ahead on the road towards Pointe de la Loge. Take the small path on the right (Chemin de la Loge) to discover the panorama from Pointe de la Loge.

(9) Retrace your steps and continue right on the path at the top of the dunes to walk along the beach. You will pass the Marais de Tocqueboeuf (on your left) before arriving at a small slope leading down to the beach: climb up this slope and turn right. Continue to follow the coastal path.

(10) About 600 metres further on, just before the Chasse des Viettes, in the corner of the field, there are a few rocks 30 metres from the path: these are the remains of a covered passageway. Continue along the coastal path, passing on the right in front of the memorial dedicated to the loss of the submarine Le Prométhée.

Follow the path that takes you through the houses to reach the end of Fréval, which marks the end of the Mondrée cove. Take the tarmac road for 100 metres, then turn right onto Chasse de la Heugue au Rey, a pretty little path that will allow you to admire Pointe de Fermanville and its lighthouse, a little-known viewpoint. At the Chasse Guéret sign, turn right towards the beach and walk for about 50 metres.

(11) Turn left and you will come out onto the path running alongside Plage de la Mondrée. After walking along the beach on the dune path, don't hesitate to climb up to your right onto the promontory called Castel de la Mondrée to enjoy the panoramic view of Mondrée Beach and, above all, to see one of the most charming little ports on the Val de Saire coast: Port Pignot.

(12) Come back down from the promontory and turn right towards Place d'Inglemare. After 100 metres, turn left to climb the tarmac road towards Tot de Haut, then quickly leave it to take the path on the left (^GRP® Tour du Val de Saire).

Continue for about 300 metres, then turn right onto Chemin des Monts, which soon rejoins the road you left earlier. Continue on your left and, before reaching the small square, turn left again. Ignore the first road on the left and continue to the junction with the D116.

(13) Cross carefully and continue straight ahead on Chemin de la Cloche. After a paved section, the path becomes a dirt track before reaching an intersection.

(14) Turn right to go up Chemin de l'Église and return to your starting point (S/E).

This route does not present any particular difficulties, but some sections (Chemin des Marettes, Chemin de l'Huilerie, Chasse des Princes) are rutted; others may be wet and muddy (Chasse des Fossés / Chasse du Rocher). Depending on the weather, good hiking boots will be necessary. The rutted paths are not recommended for young children! Hiking poles will be a definite help for inexperienced walkers.

Panoramic views: although the route described offers a number of these, don't hesitate to take a break at Pointe de la Loge if you have time.

You could also stop for a picnic either at the table near the Le Prométhée submarine memorial or not far from the car park at the start of the route, at the junction between Chemin de l'Église and the path leading to the viaduct (right next to the large oak tree and the cemetery).

If you're not tired, rather than going straight down Chemin des Marettes – at the start or end of the walk – continue along the wide path to the viaduct (another view of the Moulins valley in good weather).

Finally, once you reach the Le Castel de la Mondrée promontory, continue on to Port Pignot for a break on a bench next to the SNSM building or on the rocks to enjoy the sea and the rocky coastline.