Countryside and cliffs between the Pointe de Penharn and the Pointe du Castel Meur

Start from the car park at Place du 19 Mars 1962.

Yellow^PR® signposts

(S/E) Leave the car park opposite the cemetery, turn left onto Rue de la Ville d’Ys, walk past Saint-Clet Church, turn left onto Rue du Moulin, and follow this road downhill to the start of a wide path on the left (note a wash house on the left).

(1) Follow this path uphill, which runs alongside a small valley on the left bank of a stream, before turning right and reaching a junction near Kerfeurguel. Turn left to cross the small Route de Kerfeurguel.

(2) Follow it to the right, cross a small road, continue straight ahead along a wide lane and arrive at a junction. Continue straight ahead along a small road and look out for a path on the left near the imposing farm buildings.

(3) Follow this path, which veers left then right, ignoring a track on the left, until you reach the start of a path on the right near Lanzulien.

(4) Follow it (note a fountain on the right), reach a road and follow it to the left. Turn right at the next junction, then left onto a track leading to the D7.

(5) Cross the road carefully, follow it to the right for about twenty metres, then take an inconspicuous path on the left. Follow this path, ignoring a small road on the right, until you reach the start of a path on the right.

Unmarked

(6) Follow this path until you reach a small road; turn left to go round the village of Penharn and reach the headland of the same name and the^GR®34(beautiful views over Douarnenez Bay after the village).

^GR® signposting (white and red)

(7) Turn left onto the coastal path, which is narrow and rocky in places and features a series of sometimes steep ascents and descents along the cliff face; pass Pointe de Kerharno and reach Pointe de Brézellec.

(8) Continue along the coastal path (note, on the left, the forest of antennas from a former French Navy radio-location system (TORAN), now rendered obsolete by GPS, and, on the right, an old navigation mark), cross a stream in a steep-sided valley and arrive at the small Théolen Beach, where you’ll find the Buvette de Pors Théolen, ideal for a break halfway along the route (see Practical Information).

(9) Continue along the coastal path, which alternates between ascents and descents along the sides of steep cliffs, and look out for a path on the left just before reaching the Pointe du Castel Meur. You can take a round trip to the very tip of the headland, where the view over the entrance to Douarnenez Bay is splendid. Take care, however, as the path, which is lined with thorny bushes, is not really maintained.

Yellow^PR® signposts in the opposite direction

(10) Follow the path away from the coast, reach a car park and continue along a small road that joins the D7. Cross it carefully, follow it to the right for about twenty metres and take a small road on the left leading to the village of Kerléodin.

No signposting

(11) Take a small road on the left to leave the^{PR® route}, cross the village (note some beautiful old houses) and carry on to the next junction.

(12) Turn right, then left, walk through the village of Kergléguer, continue straight ahead along a wide path and follow it to the end.

^PR® yellow markings

(13) Turn right onto a path and reach a small road (note a cross on the right). Follow it to the left for a few metres, turn right onto a grassy path and follow it to the next junction of paths.

(14) Turn left, walk along the right bank of a stream, then turn left to reach the first houses in Lézanquel (note some beautiful old houses).

(15) Turn right onto a wide farm track, ignore the paths branching off to the right and cross a small road at Kergaradec.

(16) Carry on straight ahead to go round the village on the left (note some beautiful old houses), continue, ignore a small road on the right and reach a crossroads.

(17) Turn left, ignore the first street on the right, then turn right onto Rue de la Ville d’Ys to return to the starting car park (S/E).

Between (7) and (10), the narrow, rocky coastal path alternates between ascents and descents along the flanks of steep cliffs rising more than sixty metres above the ocean. Under no circumstances should you attempt this route in strong winds or during or immediately after heavy rain (the rocky sections are very slippery). This route is also not recommended for those prone to vertigo.

There are some very muddy sections in winter in the wetlands between (13) and (15). Hiking boots are recommended in all seasons.

The route of the GR®34, shown in purple on the IGN map, is not always accurate as some sections have been rerouted due to coastal erosion. Please follow the GR® markings (white and red) closely and do not stray from them, for obvious safety reasons but also to protect the vegetation, which is very fragile in places.

The areas around the car parks at the Castel Meur and Brézellec headlands can be busy during the summer months. It is much quieter on the coastal path and virtually deserted in the countryside. Spring is the ideal time to explore these paths, where sea thrift, wild hyacinth, broom and gorse, amongst others, are in bloom.

It is possible to walk down to Port de Heign Has (or Porz Loédec on the IGN map) near Pointe de Penharn and to Port de Brézellec at the headland of the same name.

The Pors Théolen refreshment bar is open every day from 2 pm to 7 pm except on Tuesdays.

Small alternative car parks are available at Pointe de Penharn, Pointe de Brézellec, Théolen Beach and Pointe du Castel Meur.

Picnic tables are available at the starting car park, at Pointe de Brézellec and on a disused stretch of road near Kersaudy.

Toilets at the car park at the start of the walk.

Saint-Clet Church (16th century).

Pointe de Penharn, Pointe de Brézellec and Pointe du Castel Meur.

The small harbours of Heign Has and Brézellec.

Stunning views over Douarnenez Bay.

Villages, beautiful historic houses and a rich architectural heritage in the Cléden-Cap-Sizun countryside.