Circular around Ile Grande (Tour de l'Ile Grande)

An easy coastal walk. A short return trip toward the center of the island leads to a viewpoint and a superb covered walkway.

Technical sheet

81018
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.13 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 20 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 20 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 28 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start: Start just after the bridge of the D21 road, at the south of the island. Car park is available near the bridge or along the D21 road before reaching "Ile Grande".

Red and White way markers

(S/E) Take the path to the left (West) and follow the coastline. Pass the islet of Rulosquet (on your left-hand side). Take the small road on the right, then turn immediately left and reach a crossroads.

(1) Continue to the left (West), along the seafront. At the next road junction, turn left and reach a fountain. Take the path to the left, south facing, as far as a tip(unnamed on the IGN map). Continue along the coastline (Northward) to the Saint-Sauveur jetty.

(2) Continue North, past campgrounds. Reach the ornithological station (building, pit with puffin silhouettes). Continue North.

(3) Turn left and go to "Toul-ar-Staon" tip, overlooking the sea in a wild setting, then backtrack.

(3) Continue Eastward along the coast. Turn south to reach "Porz Guen" beach (spelled "Porz Gwen" locally). Swimming possible at high tide (in season). Follow the beach and continue along the coast, heading North then East. Ignore a path to the right and reach the junction with a footpath.

(4) Take the path to the right, through ferns and bushes. After a few switchbacks, you reach "Runn al Lannou" summit ("le sommet de la lande", unnamed on the IGN map), from where you have a beautiful view. Continue South and, at the next junction, turn left into the street "Rue du Dolmen". After about 150m, you'll find the covered driveway on your right.

(5) Backtrack towards the coast (North).

(4) Continue to the right (East), along the coast and you'll arrive at "Porz Gélen" (sailing school). Continue South, passing a small road.

(6) Continue along the coast, turning right then left. Join back the starting point at the D21 bridge (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 8 m - Ile Grande Bridge
  2. 1 : km 0.95 - alt. 11 m - Dourlin
  3. 2 : km 2.09 - alt. 7 m - Saint-Sauveur pier
  4. 3 : km 3.15 - alt. 10 m - Towards the Pointe de Toul-ar-Staon
  5. 4 : km 4.96 - alt. 9 m - Runn al Lannou path
  6. 5 : km 5.4 - alt. 27 m - Allée couverte de l'Île Grande
  7. 6 : km 7.39 - alt. 7 m - Close to a car park
  8. S/E : km 8.13 - alt. 8 m - Ile Grande Bridge

Practical information

Start: Start just after the bridge of the D21 road, at the south of the island. Car park is available near the bridge or along the D21 road before reaching "Ile Grande".

Red and White way markers

Note: The route is described in a clockwise direction, but of course, it can also be performed in the opposite direction.

Gears: Although the route is easy to follow, a detailed map may be useful (at least the one that comes with this description).

This hike can be combined with another described on Visorando: Mégalithes à Trébeurdun et le Marais du Quellen. From the starting point of this hike, head South-East on the road D21 and reach (after no more than 250 m) point (2) of the other hike. Allow 4h30 to 5h00 for the whole hike.

''Hiked three times by the author, the first on July 22, 2000, the last on December 24, 2009.

In the nearby area

- From the North coast, numerous beautiful views of the sea and offshore islands.
- Between "Porz Guen" and "Porz Gélen", remains of ancient granite quarries (statue in honour of former quarrymen).
- Ornithological station to the north-west of the island.
- Beautiful viewpoint between (4) and (5).
- "Île Grande" covered walkway (5).

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 72 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
frelezaux
frelezaux

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Best done at high tide. Park before the bridge as there is no car park at the start of the circuit. It's a shame we couldn't find access to the covered walkway.

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Ricou et Domi
Ricou et Domi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Superb sunny day for a superb walk.
Lovely views all along the way.
We did it backwards (personal choice) in 1? hours.

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isa27
isa27

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very nice walk, with magnificent scenery and no difficulties.
I made a small variation leaving from the centre of the island where I parked.
Picnic in the rocks near the nautical base.

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bridge22
bridge22

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

0 AS DESCRIBED. Slight difficulties in finding the covered driveway on l'ile grande.

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FBREIZH
FBREIZH

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A must-do!
It's less busy than the customs path, but just as magnificent!

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tegnaf
tegnaf

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Lovely seaside walk, easy, no coastline. Super.

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marhem
marhem

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very pleasant route

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Isa et holi
Isa et holi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

The directions from the start need to be more precise, as there is a first stone bridge before the île grande, which can lead to confusion.

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Yves JOZEFIAK
Yves JOZEFIAK

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Very beautiful, magnificent scenery, top tour. Get up early because in August, it quickly becomes Eurodisney after 10:30 am ...

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AlexBoulogne
AlexBoulogne

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Easy and beautiful, we did it with the baby carrier

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Megeric
Megeric

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

An easy and interesting walk.

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quitess
quitess

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Family hike with a possible stopover at the LPO house. Chouette ballade

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04Benben04
04Benben04

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A walk for all the family.
Beautiful scenery.
Fine sandy beaches along the way.

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Ladidine89
Ladidine89

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Very easy but already crowded at the start of the season, well signposted

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Cat29
Cat29

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Lovely easy walk. The scenery is varied and changes with the tides.

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