Towpath and undergrowth along the Pont-l'Abbé River

Departure from Quai Saint-Laurent, on the right bank of the Pont-l'Abbé River, near the Notre-Dame des Carmes Church.

^GR®® markings (white and red)

(S/E) With your back to the Pont Habité bridge, pass the Notre-Dame des Carmes church (note the Monument aux Bigoudens on the right, the curious bell tower of the Notre-Dame des Carmes church, shaped like Darth Vader's helmet, and the decapitated bell tower of the Lambour church on the other bank) and reach the towpath.
Continue along the Pont l'Abbé River (beautiful houses and old mills on the opposite bank), cross three small creeks on dykes and walk along an old jetty (beautiful views of the river and Île Tudy, whose bell tower can be seen in the distance).

(1) Retrace your steps and turn left just before the ruins of a house (the Maison Blanche, which was home to the maritime guard who watched over the oyster beds in the estuary) to rejoin the GR^®®. Continue along the^{GR®® trail} along the Pont-L'Abbé River (note the Penglaouic wet menhir on the left), cross a stream via a footbridge and reach a small road.

No markings

(2) Turn right onto a path through the woods, ignore a path on the right and reach a crossroads.

^PR®® markings (yellow)

Turn left to join the^PR®® "Le Chemin de Halage". Follow it to reach a car park, then a small road near the Rosquerno equestrian centre.

(3) Cross the road and continue on the^PR®® which runs alongside the equestrian centre on the right. Ignore a path on the right to reach a T-junction with another PR®^®.
Turn right to follow the^PR®® "Le Chemin de Halage", ignore the paths on the right, cross a wetland on a footbridge and reach a trail intersection.

No markings

(4) Leave the^PR®® by continuing straight ahead, slightly to the left. Continue along a wide lane, walk along an imposing boundary wall on your right, ignore a lane on the left and you will arrive at the Manoir de Trévannec and a beautiful group of old buildings. Pass the manor house (note the fountain and dovecote on your right) and you will reach a road at the first houses of Pont-l'Abbé.

(5) Follow it, ignore a road on the right, then turn left into Chemin du Guerdy cul-de-sac. Continue along this small road, which continues as a footpath. Pass Collège Saint-Gabriel on your left, go past a playground to reach Rue du Penquer.

(6) Turn left, pass a nursery school, turn right and reach Avenue de Kerarthur. Cross it, turn left onto a path behind the open-air theatre to reach Rue Jules Ferry.
Follow it to the left, turn right onto Place des Carmes, then right twice to return to the starting point (S/E).

Between (2) and (5), the paths can be very muddy and even impassable in winter or after heavy rain. High-top hiking boots are strongly recommended.
The towpath can be busy in the summer months. The rest of the route is much quieter.
Market at Place de la République every Thursday morning in Pont-l'Abbé. It is the largest in the Pays Bigouden.
Numerous information panels along the towpath.
Alternative starting point at the Rosquerno equestrian centre.
Picnic tables and toilets at the start near the Notre-Dame des Carmes church.

Notre-Dame des Carmes and Saint-Jacques de Lambour churches. They are usually open and well worth a visit.
Château des Barons du Pont, which houses Pont-l'Abbé Town Hall and the Bigouden Museum.
Inhabited bridge.
Bigoudens monument.
Trévannec Manor (private).
Penglaouic wet menhir.
Beautiful views of the Pont-l'Abbé River and its small islands.
Old Rosquerno jetty.