Park in the car park at Melon Harbour, in the commune of Porspoder.
(S/E) From the car park, head towards the headland facing Melon Island along a track suitable for vehicles, which leads to a landing stage. Continue along the path that passes near an old sentry box and reach the top of a rock offering a view of the island and its former granite quarries.
Descend to the beach to reach the island – this is only possible at low tide and preferably during periods of high tidal range.
(1) Walk round the island in a clockwise direction, preferably along a faintly marked path; in the centre, you’ll find a menhir and a beautiful dolmen. On the mainland side, you’ll look out over the old granite quarries where blocks of stone are still scattered about. Cross back over to return to the car park (see § Practical information).
GR® ®34 Marked in white and red
(S/E) Set off to the left along the road, skirting Melon harbour, and stick to the right-hand pavement, which is safe, unlike the sea-facing side.
(2) Turn left at the sign for Hent Kervéoc, pass by a wash house and continue along theGR®® which heads due north along a small road that leads into a track. When you reach a fence, turn left then right onto a tarmac section.
(3) Follow this small road for about a hundred metres, then turn left onto the path leading to the small harbour at Mazou. Note the posts used for mooring boats. Continue along the coastal path which runs alongside the harbour and joins a road with a small car park.
(4) Continue along the wide, wheeled-traffic-accessible path heading north-west. As you approach the next headland, keep to the left, veering slightly off theGR®® to follow the path closest to the sea. Rejoin theGR®® and continue towards Pointe de Garchine. On the right, you can see a large antenna and the wire fence marking the boundary of a naval military site. You’ll reach the rocky headland, which offers a view of the Phare du Four lighthouse.
(5) Turn right, leaving the seafront and theGR®®, and head back up towards a car park, walking alongside the fence of the military site.
PR® marked in yellow
Walk uphill to a cross-road.
(6) Turn right and walk past the entrance gate to the naval base. On your left, note the large modern houses, which contrast with the small hamlets you will pass through later. You’ll come to a small road signposted ‘No entry for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes’.
Unmarked section
Take this small road, which passes through the hamlet of Kermerrien with its beautiful old granite houses, then Kerharan, ignoring all roads to the right and left.
(7) Walk alongside a high stone wall which conceals a large estate (a former manor house?). You’ll reach the fork in the road from the outward journey.
(3) Turn right onto a short stretch of road leading to a house (beautiful view of Mazou harbour). Turn left and look out for the ‘coastal path’ sign.
(8) Turn right and take the narrower path which runs closer to the sea. You’ll reach a rock topped by a cross, offering a lovely view of Melon Island. Continue along this coastal path, which widens and runs alongside a property.
(9) Head down to the seafront to go round it, then head back up to the left to rejoin the GR®®.
GR®®34 Marked in white and red
Follow the path back along the same route as on the way out to return to the harbour car park. On your left, note the Espace Herri Léon, a former seaweed-drying facility, converted into a chapel in 1951 and now a socio-cultural centre.
The car park is on the right (S/E).
s should be done at low tide! Not to mention Melon Island, which is inaccessible at high tide, several passages along the coast are a bit tricky (you have to climb over low walls) or even impossible. The last point (9) is impassable and requires a long detour.