Circular between Tharon Plage and Les Rochelets

This hike through land, forest and sea starts at the Chapel of Tharon-Plage and takes you to Saint-Michel-Chef-Chef via an inland route, then on to the Forest of Pierre Attelée and finally to Les Rochelets in the commune of Saint-Brévin. The return to the starting point is through the shade of the forest and then along the coast with its fisheries, surfers and the Port de Comberge.

Details

3384180
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.13 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 19 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 19 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 32 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the Chapel of Tharon.

(S/E) Head north-west on Avenue de Stream, then turn right onto Avenue de la Liberté, cross Avenue Victor Hugo and continue to Avenue Bigot.
Cross over, take Impasse Bigot opposite, which continues along a path that crosses the Calais and leads to Avenue de la Pouplinière.

(1) Turn right onto this avenue, continue to the roundabout and turn left onto Avenue des Sports.

(2) Near the entrance to a campsite, turn right onto Chemin du Bel Essor. Cross Avenue du Commandant L'Herminier and take Rue du Moulin opposite. Cross Rue du Redois and continue along Rue de l'Horizon (passing near the primary school and media library). At the roundabout, continue along Rue de l'Horizon (2nd street on the left). Cross Rue de la Mornette, Rue de la Cossonière, Rue de la Galaxie (twice), Allée des Planètes and Route de Gohaud. Continue along Chemin Mondésir.

(3) After the left-hand bend, turn right (Parcours Vélocéan). Continue straight ahead and at the end, turn left onto Rue de la Pierre Levée.

(4) At the end of the street, turn right onto Allée de la Cathelinière.

(5) Turn left into the Forêt de la Pierre Attelée and walk past the menhir. Continue on path No. 7, then No. 5 and No. 2, which passes near a primary school.

(6) At the edge of the forest, turn left, cross a car park and join theGR®8, which turns right northwards along the coast.

(7) At the three-way junction, near Le Boivre, turn right away from the coast, follow this path which turns left near a monument and arrives at the end of Allée des Pâquerettes.

(8) Leave theGR®8on the right by turning into Allée des Pâquerettes, then turn left onto Allée des Cigales and leave Allées des Bouillons, des Peupliers and des Ormeaux on your right. Cross Avenue Alexandre Bernard and pass Allée des Hirondelles.

(9) At the crossroads, turn left onto Allée des Goélands. Take the first path on the left to rejoin the GR®8and follow it in a south-easterly direction.

(8) Opposite Chemin des Pâquerettes, descend to the right towards Le Boivre, then follow it at a distance on your right.

(7) Follow the path to the first-aid station and continue straight ahead towards the Forêt de la Pierre Attelée.

(6) Enter the forest by following paths No. 1 and 4.

(10) At the forest exit, follow Chemin de la Coconnière. View of Gohaud beach, its fisheries and surfers.

(11) At the end of the path, turn right onto Route de la Source and go down to the Redois roundabout.

(12) Follow Boulevard de l'Océan, passing Port de Comberge and the sailing club.

(13) At the lifeguard station, turn left onto Boulevard de la Chapelle to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 13 m - The Chapel of Tharon
  2. 1 : km 0.6 - alt. 11 m - Avenue de la Pouplinière
  3. 2 : km 1.36 - alt. 22 m - Chemin du Bel Essor
  4. 3 : km 3.26 - alt. 27 m - Vélocéan
  5. 4 : km 4.29 - alt. 20 m - Rue de la Cathelinière
  6. 5 : km 4.33 - alt. 21 m - Entrance to the Forêt de la Pierre Attelée (menhir)
  7. 6 : km 5.39 - alt. 10 m - Crossroads of the circular near the forest exit
  8. 7 : km 5.91 - alt. 7 m - The - Boivre (fleuve)
  9. 8 : km 6.31 - alt. 9 m - Allée des Pâquerettes
  10. 9 : km 7.29 - alt. 10 m - Allée des Goélands
  11. 10 : km 10.5 - alt. 9 m - Chemins de la Coconnière
  12. 11 : km 11.71 - alt. 21 m - Rue de la Source
  13. 12 : km 12.41 - alt. 7 m - Redois roundabout
  14. 13 : km 13.97 - alt. 13 m - Boulevard de la Chapelle
  15. S/E : km 14.13 - alt. 13 m - The Chapel of Tharon

Notes

Water point at Tharon beach spring
Toilets:
On the right of the chapel: Allée de la Chapelle
Port de Comberge

This hike has two shorter variants:

1) An 11 km version
At the forest exit (6), cross Avenue des Pierres Couchées and take Allée des Jonquilles opposite.
At the roundabout, take Allée des Géraniums (3rd exit on the left), cross Allées André and Pierre and take the first road on the left. Then follow theGR®8on the left to the south.
Enter the forest (6).

2) An 8.5 km version
Enter the Forêt de la Pierre Attelée (6), passing in front of the Menhir.
Continue on path No. 7, then turn left onto No. 6 and take path No. 4 on the left.
Exit the forest (10).

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

4.5 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
eugene.mil
eugene.mil

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

As regulars on the south side of the Loire, we were familiar with some parts of this route, but not all of it.

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geffraye1
geffraye1

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Route completed during the All Saints' Day holidays in 2023.
The route only becomes interesting from kilometre 4 onwards, at the Pierre Attelée menhir.
Before that, the route runs too close to the D213 road, which brings with it a fair amount of noise pollution.
On the way there, there are few views of the sea.
Alternative route possible at low tide: take the GR8 following waypoints 13-12-11-10, then return via the beach to Port de Comberge.

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Joël Aumaille
Joël Aumaille

Hello,
Thank you

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anges65
anges65

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike done on a sunny day
Stages 1 to 10 are truly superb – alternating between sunshine and shaded paths – a big plus for the Pierre Attelée forest when it's very hot
Stages 10 to 13 run along the coast via the coastal path, so:
"+": the landscapes – the beaches
"-" in full sun

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Joël Aumaille
Joël Aumaille

Thank you for your reply. I will take this into account when describing my career path in future.
Kind regards.

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vivierois
vivierois

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It is important to orientate yourself in relation to the starting point (we were parked at the chapel). A little more precise description would be helpful (such as the name of the campsite, as there are two in the area). Paths 5 and 6 were closed on the way back due to fire risk (which makes sense). We went via the beach, with our feet in the water, so there are two options.

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Joël Aumaille
Joël Aumaille

Thank you for your comment.
Kind regards

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claudebriand
claudebriand

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy route that allows you to appreciate different aspects of the Jade coast: housing, forest and seaside. Beautiful forest section – hesitation near the school.

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Joël Aumaille
Joël Aumaille

Thank you

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Xavier95
Xavier95

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, shaded trail with magnificent views. A must-do!

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motoveve
motoveve

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This route is enjoyable and allows you to explore the coastline of Saint-Michel; there is a risk of getting lost in the woods near the school and exit no. 6 between the 11 or 14 km variants. The app is highly recommended.

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Diro
Diro

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Option to continue on to Saint Brevin l'Océan – all amenities (an additional 5 to 6 km round trip)
Most of the walk is in the shade.
Option to walk along the beach depending on the tide (frequent access to the beach)

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Baboo Joe
Baboo Joe

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike partially along the southern ridge... Passage along the GR 8, which is wilder than the start within the city walls.

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