Dingé walks

Circuit exploring the 11 locks of the Canal d’Ille-et-Rance.

A hike that will take you from Saint-Médard-sur-Ille to Saint-Germain-sur-Ille through the Bois de Cranne (protected natural area) and along the towpath (greenway) with its locks.

Discover the charming little town of Bazouges-la-Pérouse, then walk through the woods to reach this former residence of the Counts of Fougères, now a guest house, and finally stroll along charming streams that offer peace and serenity.

A pleasant walk in the Forest of Rennes, passing through Saint-Sulpice-la-Forêt.

This route runs largely through the countryside and follows sunken lanes. It passes through several hamlets whose names raise questions about their origins: Les Forges, Le Portail des Forges and La Ville Feu.

A very beautiful hike starting and ending in Evran (22), discovering the landscapes of romantic Brittany with its valleys, winding canal and locks.

This route allows us to alternate between the discovery of a hilly landscape, marked by hedgerows and embankments, and the open landscape of the Dol marshes, criss-crossed by its vast network of canals and ditches and punctuated by the omnipresence of Mont-Dol and Dol-de-Bretagne Cathedral.

The Couesnon river meanders through a deep valley, home to ancient mills.

This route of the Couesnon can be divided into two parts: a circular route to the west and another to the east, the latter of which can be shortened. The Couesnon has a very winding course as it crosses the granite massif. Its limestone-free water was used for a long time in paper mills in the 17th century. With this industry now gone, the Couesnon is a delight for salmonids and kayakers alike.

A short hike in the Rennes forest along shady forest lines and paths through the forest alongside the Caleuvre stream. This easy trail is particularly beautiful in early spring, when the beech trees have young, light-green leaves, or in autumn, when the leaves have turned yellow and red. It takes you along the old water supply line that brought water from the Minette (a tributary of the Couesnon) to Rennes.

Throughout this route, there are no fewer than five viewpoints from which you can admire this small coastal river, famous for its mouth between Saint-Malo and Dinard thanks to the tidal power plant dam. After following it first through fresh water and then salt water, you will end your route by taking sunken paths that will lead you to a monument dating back five thousand years.

A short trail in Brittany’s countryside with a section along the Veuvre that winds before flowing into Chevré lake. Do not miss the small Roman bridge with its stone arches.

This hike will allow you to discover the flora and fauna of the Rance estuary. The Rance is a wintering ground for migratory birds. Mordreuc's mascot, seal L 214, will let you take photos with him if the water level allows him to lounge on the slipway. Otherwise, look in the water to see if a whiskered snout is peeking out. In Mordreuc, if you continue 100 metres along the shore, you will discover the old lime kiln.

A walk through the centre of Rennes, passing important sites such as the new convention centre (former Jacobins Convent, Parliament of Brittany, etc.) and ending pleasantly at the Thabor Gardens. The route also allows you to appreciate the architectural richness of old Rennes and some admirable façades.

Roz-sur-Couesnon consists, as its name suggests, of an upper part (roz = hill in Breton) where the village is located, and a lower part made up of former marshes, polders and salt marshes, where the Couesnon river once flowed. This unique feature gives the town an exceptional view of the bay and Mont Saint-Michel, as well as a wide variety of landscapes, which the route proposed here seeks to highlight.

This route allows you to discover a whole range of small architectural heritage sites: guardhouses, typical houses, a wash house and a church. But of course, as everywhere else in the area, the star attraction is Mont-Saint-Michel, which visitors can see in the background throughout their journey.

Walk in the Pays Malouin between the sea and the Rance around one of the most beautiful villages in France. To be done at low tide, check before you go.

Walk along a shaded path on the banks of the Vilaine river, passing by the Manoir de Tizé.

In the midst of this tide-changing natural environment, Mont Garrot, a true promontory above the river Rance maritime estuary, offers a panoramic view of Saint-Suliac to the north and Anse de Vigneux to the south, where the foundations of an ancient Viking camp emerge at low tide.

The main attraction of this hike is the Fort de Saint-Père, built between 1777 and 1785 to protect Saint-Malo from English attacks by land and to complete the defence system designed by the famous Vauban. Part of its enclosure was destroyed in 1944 by the Germans as they fled during the Liberation. Today, the fort has become a cultural and leisure space. Every year, it hosts various trail events, flower markets, festivals and concerts. The fort is open to the public during the events it hosts, but the outer rampart walk is accessible to walkers all year round.

Built in the 18th century, the fort completes the coastal fortifications designed by Vauban to protect the bay of Saint-Malo from English attacks. With a capacity of 3,000 men, 26 casemates and a 46-metre-long powder magazine, it was delivered too late to play a defensive role. During the 1914-1918 war, it housed German prisoners and, during the last war, it was converted into an ammunition depot by the Germans, who blew up part of the casemates during their evacuation. Decommissioned in 1988, it is now owned by the municipality of Saint-Père-Marc-en-Poulet, which has restored it; shows are organised there.

This is a short, peaceful walk, partly through built-up areas and partly through what is known locally as the white marsh. In fact, the only remaining evidence of the marsh is the leat Jean. The route follows part of the GRP® Tour du Pays Malouin.

A lovely walk around the northern tip of Saint-Suliac. Do it whatever the weather! Moderator's note as of 06/04/2021: Some modifications on the ground since the creation of this hike: see the comments at the bottom of this page. Moderator's note a description of June 2022 in reverse order to this one is available here

A pretty, easy, well-marked walk passing by a chapel, the Château du Gué, the Ancienne Fonderie de Servon-sur-Vilaine, the Oratoire Saint-Mathurin, the Vilaine, the old mill, the protected Pas Davy site, the greenhouses (mainly tomatoes) and the calvary. The return journey takes you along a leafy driveway through a housing estate.

From Saint-Jouan-des-Guérets to La Rance via theGRP® long-distance hiking trail and the countryside around Saint-Malo.