From Pen Castel to the covered walkway at Arzon along the shores of the Gulf of Morbihan

From the Pen Castel tidal mill, this circular walk follows the coastal path all the way along the Saint-Nicolas, Kerners and La Palisse headlands until it joins another path heading inland to reach the Grah Niol covered walkway. The return journey follows paths cutting across the last two headlands to reach the Pointe de Saint-Nicolas and its superb coastal path, lined with spectacular trees that are just waiting to be admired once more before reaching the Pen Castel mill.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.09 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 31 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 31 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 21 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the small car park near the Pen Castel tidal mill.

(S/E) Then cross the dyke separating the Pen Castel Lagoon from the bay. As soon as you leave the dyke, turn right onto the coastal path towards Pointe Saint-Nicolas (GR®34). Do take the time to admire the seascape, of course, and especially the magnificent Lambert cypresses lining the path.

(1) At the headland, continue along Anse de Kerners.

(2) Walk along the beach and rejoin the coastal path on the other side. After passing a campsite, the path winds through the pine trees and, after Pointe de Kerners, runs alongside small beaches to reach a car park nestled in the cove.

(3) Stay close to the gulf and continue along the coastal path to Pointe de la Palisse, then on the other side to a small grassy plateau with two benches. The ideal spot for a picnic.

(4) Turn your back on the gulf and look for a field entrance in the hedge. Head through this gap and follow the path that runs along the right-hand side of the field. It isn’t very visible but is definitely there and will lead you to another path, bordering on a farm track. Take it to the right. This turns left and comes to a hairpin bend to the right.

(5) Ignore the track branching off at the bend and head right. You’ll come to two houses and a tarmac road. 50 metres further on is the covered passage known as the “Dolmen du Grah Niol”

(6) After taking the time to explore the site, retrace your steps back to the hairpin bend.

(5) Take the farm track to the right, then at the first junction, continue left and at the next, take the footpath to the right. You’ll find the car park along the beach at the end of the cove.

(3) Take the last track on your right, which quickly leads to a new road (Rue de Bilouris). Cross it by first turning right then left to take the path opposite (Chemin du Ster). At the T-junction, take the left-hand branch, Rue de Raker Ac, then left again (Rue de la Pointe). Finally, turn right fairly soon onto Rue des Vierges to reach the beach.

(2) To return to the car park, retrace your steps along the path you took at Pointe Saint-Nicolas in the opposite direction. The trees and the scenery are well worth the effort. As you leave the headland, turn left, cross the sea wall and head for the car park at the Pen Castel tidal mill (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 3 m - Car park at the Pen Castel tidal mill - Moulin à marée de Pen Castel
  2. 1 : km 0.95 - alt. 10 m - Pointe Saint-Nicolas
  3. 2 : km 2.06 - alt. 4 m - Kerners Cove Beach
  4. 3 : km 4.44 - alt. 3 m - Car park
  5. 4 : km 5.78 - alt. 4 m - Junction
  6. 5 : km 6.27 - alt. 14 m - T-junction (return)
  7. 6 : km 6.63 - alt. 21 m - "Grah Niol dolmen" - Allée couverte ou dolmen de grah Niol
  8. S/E : km 10.09 - alt. 4 m - Car park at the Pen Castel tidal mill - Moulin à marée de Pen Castel

Notes

Very nice toilets at the Pen Castel tidal mill, on the other side of the road.
If you’re short on time, head to Pointe Saint-Nicolas for its Lambert cypresses, which are simply majestic.
Take care with young children; some sections above the bays can be dangerous for them.

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

4.8 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Patrick Vanbellinghen
Patrick Vanbellinghen

Thank you both, Fred and André. And to you, André, as mentioned on 2 August.

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andre demey
andre demey

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely "walking trail", with no particular difficulties; on the contrary, plenty of facilities have been put in place. As for the car park, it’s best to arrive early (there are no more than 10 spaces); otherwise, there’s another one at Kerners Chapel and a large one at Le Tindio campsite (the one at Pointe de Kerners charges a fee!).

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Fred37
Fred37

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A route in the shade of the pine trees... a magnificent view of the coves and the Gulf of Morbihan... very straightforward – just follow the path...

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Patrick Vanbellinghen
Patrick Vanbellinghen

Thank you, André, for this valuable information.
Patrick

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Patrick Vanbellinghen
Patrick Vanbellinghen

Hi girls. I hope you have lots more lovely walks.

Patrick

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Copines
Copines

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk – not too busy and easy going

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andre demey
andre demey

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely "walking trail", with no particular difficulties; on the contrary, plenty of facilities have been put in place. As for the car park, it’s best to arrive early (there are no more than 10 spaces); otherwise, there’s another one at Kerners Chapel and a large one at Le Tindio campsite (the one at Pointe de Kerners charges a fee!).

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