Dol-de-Bretagne walks

Dol-de-Bretagne is a small town full of character offering numerous hiking opportunities, the most popular being the Marais Blanc and Marais Noir trails. The route suggested here follows part of the Nominöe route, but differs in that it passes through the countryside further south, taking in the Menhir du Champ Dolent and the Fontaine Saint-Samson.

The route is mainly in the countryside, through the Marais Blanc and Marais Noir marshes, with no particular difficulties except for the ascent of the Mont-Dol hill via the north face (slippery in wet weather) and the descent to the town hall (uneven steps). The route takes the Chemin Vert between Dol de Bretagne and Mont-Dol. Beautiful view of the Marais Blanc and the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel from the top of the Mont Dol hill.

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.

This circular route takes you on a tour of Dol-de-Bretagne, a former episcopal city, notably the 13th-century Saint-Samson Cathedral and beautifully restored half-timbered houses. The route follows the Promenade des Remparts and country lanes along the Guyoult coastal river.

A peaceful hike along grassy paths and a few quiet roads. You will follow part of the Chemin des Évêques, which was used by bishops to reach their summer residence. The nearby Château du Domaine des Ormes was once (in the early 14th century) the summer residence of the bishops of Dol-de-Bretagne. Today, it is a campsite. The paths are shaded. If you walk them in autumn, you can collect lots of chestnuts.

This is an easy route through the Marais Blanc and along the Canal de la Banche and the Banche itself. It allows you to discover a few old farms scattered throughout the marsh.

Walk along small country roads, with the exception of the coastal stretch near Vivier-sur-Mer. In Vivier-sur-Mer, a point of interest is where the River Guyoult meets three estuaries flowing from the Marias de Dol: the Canal des Planches, the Banche and the Biez de Cardequin. To see them, head to the bridge at the village exit towards Cherrueix.

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.

This walk takes you along the paths of the Marais Blanc, and alongside the Guyolut, as well as the Cardequin and Ceinture Nord watercourses. The terrain is flat and easy, but can be exposed to the wind.The section of the route through the Marais Blanc allows you to discover old stone farmhouses that have retained the charm of their original stone construction. Some are listed as heritage sites.

Trail, half on dirt track, half on road. Beautiful sights with the Saint-Macaire (or Maker) Fountain on one side and the megalithic rock site (also known as the "Field of Tombs") on the other. Part of the trail runs along the Canal de la Banche, which joins Dol de Bretagne at Quercourt.

A gentle walk north of Epiniac. It winds through the woods around the village, along pleasant paths with no particular difficulty.The route can be muddy between November and March but is not flooded. The area is rich in wildlife; you may occasionally encounter a herd of wild boar in the undergrowth, especially during the hunting season! So please take care.

The route consists almost equally of small roads and grassy paths. It is suitable for all seasons. No particular difficulty. The route winds through the various woods of the commune, which are fairly rich in game. The section near the Parc de la Higourdais is particularly pleasant, with paths running alongside the two ponds.

A short, peaceful walk near Epiniac. It takes you along some pleasant sunken lanes that are passable in almost all seasons and not too difficult. Here and there you’ll find listed buildings. It’s not impossible to come across a herd of wild boars in the undergrowth, especially during the hunting season! So be careful.

This is a route with a very distinctive elevation profile: 95% of the route is at sea level, with only the Mont-Dol rising above it. But the main attractions of this route are, on the one hand, the Bay, a landscape listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, and on the other hand, the 350 km of canals, leats and ditches that help regulate the water level in the marsh.

This easy walk takes you along the coast between the towns of Cherrueix and Le Vivier-sur-Mer, with beautiful views of Mont St Michel Bay to the east and Pointe du Grouin and Cancale to the west.It then continues inland, running alongside the River Banche, a bucolic stretch accompanied by the chirping of birds if there are no farmers at work.The circular route ends with a fairly quiet stretch of road.

An easy route to explore the marsh, then return to the seaside via the beach.

The route links two of the water retention ponds in the Plerguer area. It alternates between sections on small country roads and stretches through the undergrowth. The route is mainly on hard ground, small roads or stony paths; it is particularly uninteresting during the wet months from autumn to March but can be enjoyed in the other months of the year.The route presents no particular difficulties.

The route links two of the reservoirs in the Plerguer region. It alternates between small country roads and sections in the undergrowth, particularly in the Mesnil Forest, along the Mireloup Reservoir.The route does not present any particular difficulties despite the significant cumulative elevation gain (for the region).

Throughout this route, there are superb views of Mont-Saint-Michel and the polders.But you will discover no less than three different landscapes: the ecologically rich site of the two valleys, the market gardening area of the polders and the infinite space of the salt marshes.

This route crosses the Parc de la Higourdais on the heights of Épiniac. It leads to the banks of the Ruisseau du Landal, which it follows through woodland that is particularly pleasant in summer. It then continues, half on road and half on footpaths. The walk passes over Brégain Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the Guyoult basin to the north. In good weather, you can see Mont-Saint-Michel to the north-east. The return journey takes you along small roads that are generally quite pleasant and quiet, allowing you to discover old hamlets and some beautiful stone houses.

The Parc de la Higourdais is managed by the Ille-et-Vilaine Departmental Council. It was the Council that had the mill and the bakehouse restored. Furthermore, along the route you will come across no fewer than five crosses.

This hike follows the path along the dyke between Chapelle Sainte-Anne and Polder du Nouveau Conseil and, on the way back, takes the Greenway linking Mont Saint-Michel to Cancale and continuing on to Saint-Malo and beyond. Beautiful view of the bay when the weather is good, which is often the case!

Bonnemain is one of the twenty-six communes in the canton of Combourg (also known as Romantic Brittany). This walk complements the one to the north-east, which runs between the village and the Domaine des Ormes. It winds its way through the countryside, via sunken paths and a few pretty little houses.

This hike follows the path along the dyke between the Sainte-Anne Chapel and the Bertrand Polder and, on the way back, takes the Greenway linking Mont Saint-Michel to Cancale and continuing on to Saint-Malo and beyond. Beautiful view of the bay when the weather is good, which is often the case!

Bonnemain is one of the twenty-six communes in the canton of Combourg (also known as Romantic Brittany). This walk complements the one to the north-east, which runs between the village and the Domaine des Ormes. It winds its way through the countryside via sunken paths and past some pretty little houses.

Located in the north-west of the Ille-et-Vilaine department, Bonnemain is one of the twenty-six parishes in the canton of Combourg, also known as Romantic Brittany. This gentle walk allows you to discover the surrounding countryside and the Domaine des Ormes, renowned for its campsite. The path is lined with some beautiful stone houses and two wayside crosses. The path around the Étang de la Sablonnière is particularly pleasant.

The route follows the granite massif of the former coastline. You will walk along ancient paths, some of which are carved into the granite. The bocage landscape consists of sunken lanes, small meadows and fields surrounded by hedges. You will discover some beautiful views of the Bay of Mont-St-Michel, but the mount itself remains out of sight, hidden by a protruding plateau.

This route takes you through wooded and hedgerow landscapes. Running exclusively through the undergrowth, it takes you through the Mesnil State Forest (600 ha), formerly owned by the privateer Surcouf. The paths are well-maintained but numerous, particularly in the southern section; follow the route carefully, ideally using a smartphone, as it is easy to take a wrong turn. The covered walkway, known as ‘La Roche aux Fées’, should not be confused with another walkway of the same name, which is more monumental and located in Janzé.