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(S/E) Take the Sirène III ferry to reach the Pouldu quay on the right bank of the Laïta. TheGR®34(white and red markings) climbs up the stairs to the right of the white building and blue garages at the edge of the Pouldu quay, where the ferry docks.
(1) Turn right at the top to walk under the trees overlooking the river and its moored boats. Walk around Stervilin Cove, then head north under the chestnut trees, oaks, Douglas firs and spruces, with numerous views of the river and its sandbanks at low tide.
(2) You reach Porsmoric with its small beach (beautiful old shipwreck) and its pontoon for dinghies. Turn around for a last glimpse of the mouth of the river and Le Pouldu. You often set off again under cover with a beautiful view of the Beg Nénez mill on the opposite bank.
(3) We reach the Stêr Fankec dyke, which closes off the marshy confluence of the Quinquis stream. Then the path becomes steeper until we reach the car park at the Saint-Maurice bridge.
(4) We descend to the right to pass under the bridge and follow the river, then climb back up through the undergrowth before descending again to a point where we can see the site of the former Saint-Maurice Abbey. Finally, we climb back up to reach a fork in the path.
(5) You can either turn right and take the steep stairs, which can be slippery in wet weather, down to the crêperie along the Laïta, or continue straight ahead to reach the road about 200 metres before the entrance to the site (recommended option).
(6) The abbey site is vast and well worth a visit. Then retrace your steps, turn left to reach the crêperie on the banks of the river, then climb the stairs to rejoin the path you took on the way there.
(5) Turn right, then quickly left onto a wide path that cuts across the circular part of the tip.
(4) You will reach the Saint-Maurice bridge, which you cross.
(7) Turn left just after the safety barriers. Climb gently straight ahead through the undergrowth via aPR® (yellow markings) and then through a Douglas fir forest, ignoring the two paths that branch off to the right. You will find a path that branches off to the left towards a mound called "Ar Butten" in the direction of the chapel (sign).
(8) The modern chapel, built in memory of the De Polignac couple, overlooks the Laïta river beneath beech and chestnut trees. Descend to rejoin thePR® trail, which you then follow to the left. Continue on flat ground to the mill path (sign).
(9) Turn left and descend along a sometimes steep path to the ruins of the Bénoal mill. Cross the stream via a footbridge and climb up the opposite bank of the tidal pond, where you will see the dyke at the end of the path before climbing up to a carriage road. Turn left onto this road to pass through a barrier and descend towards the Laïta.
(10) You will then find yourself facing the site of Saint-Maurice Abbey on the edge of a circular bend in the river. In the past, a ferryman would take people across. Retrace your steps and take a small road through the hamlet of Kerhoat Benoal.
(11) You will reach the Saint-Michel fountain on the left-hand side of the road. Continue along the road for 300 metres until you find a path that crosses the stream on the left and climbs up between two low walls towards the Saint-Michel Chapel.
(12) It stands at the edge of the forest and is the site of a religious festival on the last Sunday in September. We retrace our steps to the small road and turn right for 80 metres before turning left onto the PR®. We follow it to the Saint-Maurice bridge.
(7) Cross the road and rejoin theGR®34opposite, heading downhill. Then follow the Laïta river southwards. Leave the shelter of the trees and turn left onto a farm track which joins a small road. Follow this road downhill for 60 metres before taking the path on the left (barriers) which leads down to the Beg Nénez mill.
(13) Leave this tide mill via a small dyke heading south. TheGR® turns right onto a small path just after the dyke. This path is quite steep and often requires the use of facilities (stairs, footbridges), which are always in good condition. You leave the banks of the Laïta to go around a small private property. The views are fascinating at the end of the day until you return to the starting point (S/E).
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