From Saint Samson to Bréhec

Starting from the Chapelle Saint-Samson, take the famous Shelburn network aviators’ path to reach Brehec Beach.

Details

8102753
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Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.73 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 175 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 169 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 103 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: -3 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Plouha (22580)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 48.703814° / W 2.93476°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 0814OT, 0815SB, 0916OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park near the Saint-Samson Chapel (GPS: N 48.703814°/ W 2.93476°) and take the path called Marguerite Le Saux, heading east.

(S/E) Walk along the grassy path across the field until you reach the junction with the Shelburn path.

(1) Turn left and follow the Shelburn path, which runs above the road.

(2) After a fairly steep descent, turn right then left and begin the climb up theGR®34. Reach the Pointe de la Tour, which offers a view of the beach and Bréhec Bay

(3) Continue on theGR® and, at the end of a steep descent, leave theGR®34at a place called Les Rochers Rouges.

(4) Accessible at low tide only at the far end of Bréhec Beach; cross the beach diagonally for 1 km to reach the far end.

(5) Leaving the sand, turn left past a small building and take the steps leading to the old Brehec station.

(6) Take the Jean Lanno path, which follows the route of an old railway line, to a square; head up to the right for about 100 metres and turn left to rejoin theGR®34on the left.

(7) Turn right onto the tarmac road, continue to the crossroads and turn left onto the tarmac road for 1 km.

(8) After passing the Kerdreux farm, turn left and follow the road. At the wayside cross, take the farm track opposite and follow it, keeping to the right at the first fork.

(9) At the end of the farm track, by a wayside cross, turn right onto the tarmac road which leads directly to Saint-Samson Chapel (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 78 m - Chapelle Saint-Samson (Plouha)
  2. 1 : km 0.53 - alt. 64 m - Junction between the grassy path and the footpath
  3. 2 : km 0.91 - alt. 49 m - Lowest point of the trail
  4. 3 : km 2.21 - alt. 81 m - La Pointe de la Tour
  5. 4 : km 3.38 - alt. 12 m - Red Rocks
  6. 5 : km 4.51 - alt. 7 m - End of the beach
  7. 6 : km 4.7 - alt. 37 m - Jean Lanno Trail
  8. 7 : km 5.72 - alt. 74 m - GR34 junction/Padel path
  9. 8 : km 6.92 - alt. 92 m - Turn-off after Kerdreux
  10. 9 : km 8.2 - alt. 91 m - Calvary
  11. S/E : km 8.73 - alt. 78 m - Chapelle Saint-Samson (Plouha)

Notes

Important note: access to and crossing of the beach is only possible at low tide. It is essential to check the tide times before planning this hike.

At point (4), if access is impossible due to the tide, you can take theGR® 34 to reach point (7) and continue the route. This shortens the route by approximately 2 km.

You can avoid the long stretch along the tarmac road by turning off at point (7) towards point (4) and reaching point . Please note, however, that this adds an 800-metre climb which is impassable in winter and spring.

Worth a visit

Starting from the very pretty site of the Saint-Samson Chapel, situated right next to the famous Alphonse House – a key site of the Resistance – you will follow the path leading to the cliff, just like the airmen setting off for England.

All along theGR®34, there are splendid views of Bréhec Bay and the Pointe de la Tour.
As you reach Brehec Beach, you pass between two large red rocks, a geological curiosity.
The one-kilometre walk across the wet sand offers a comprehensive view of the Bréhec site, providing a comfortable route after the steep sections ofthe GR®34.

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

4.7 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
chirat dominique
chirat dominique

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, but made difficult by a storm and the path becoming slippery.

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Eric26
Eric26

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk along the coastal paths; crossing the beach at low tide is really pleasant. Admittedly, the return stretch on tarmac isn’t great, but you’ve got no choice when you’re planning a circular coastal walk.

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lozach.pierrick
lozach.pierrick

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A hike in May 2021, the first half of which is a moving journey through contemporary history, following in the footsteps of the Resistance fighters, then along a steep path with gradients that can be a bit challenging in hot weather, offering magnificent views – as is so often the case in Brittany – all the way to Bréhec, where the climb back inland is also a pleasant surprise. The final third of the route follows small roads of no particular interest, other than for a leisurely walk on flat ground...

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kerheol
kerheol

Hello,
Your point is entirely valid; indeed, the long stretch on tarmac isn’t pleasant.
However, I deliberately mapped the route this way as it avoids an additional 800-metre climb that is impassable in winter.
For the more athletic, your suggestion is entirely valid and I will add this option to the description.
Kind regards
Kerheol

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TREHIOU
TREHIOU

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

In my opinion, this route would be ideal if, from point 7, we returned to point 4 to reach point 9.

As for the route from 7 to 8 and from 8 to 9, the path follows a narrow, tarmac road that is borderline dangerous and lacks

particular appeal, whereas it is a superb, challenging hike with good elevation changes and magnificent views.

My husband and I plan to do it again in a few weeks’ time

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