Between pink rocks and green valleys, around Perros-Guirec

Departure: Perros-Guirec - Kerabram district

(S/E) From your accommodation (see details in the Practical Information section), leave the housing estate via Rue François-Mary Luzel, then turn right. A few metres further on, you will see a water tower on your left, on Rue de Kervoilan. Walk past it. Continue through the residential area, then keep left at the traffic island to continue along the same street. Follow the pavement on the left to face oncoming traffic on this busy stretch. You will come to a crossroads.

(1) Turn right onto Rue Louis Pasteur and cross the junction with traffic lights. Continue straight ahead to Trestaou Beach via Avenue du Casino. You will arrive at the seafront, Boulevard Joseph le Bihan.

(2) Turn left in front of the beach and follow the red and white markings of the GR® 34 on the promenade to the ferry terminal, then take Rue de Clarté and climb slightly to a hairpin bend.

(3) Leave the road at the La Roseraie residence and take the "strictly pedestrian" path. This is the famous Sentier des Douaniers, which is closed to cars. Walk along Grève Saint-Pierre beach until you reach the Ploumanac'h car park. Continue on , ignoring the granite chaos, such as Ar Skewel (its name in Breton) near Pors Rolland. Don't miss the Tête de Dragon (Dragon's Head) or the many other viewpoints around Men Ruz, such as the Ploumanac'h lighthouse, rebuilt in 1947 in pink La Clarté granite and automated in 1980.

(4) Turn right at the fork and pass by an old powder magazine. A little further on, the Maison du Littoral offers activities and 100% nature hikes. Then continue towards Anse de Saint-Guirec.

(5) The oratory protects the statue of Saint-Guirec. Also stop at the chapel, built on an ancient place of worship. Approach the village via the Chemin de la Pointe. Follow the contour of the cove via the Quai Bellevue.

(6) Turn right into the street (closed to traffic) of the sea mill and pass by Randeuz before coming out onto the D788, at one end of the tide mill bridge spanning the Petit Traouiéro valley.

(7) Turn left after the bridge, leaving the GR®34, which continues on towards Trégastel. Set off between the Grand Traouiéro outlet and the Tourony campsite and pass by the sculpture of Saint-Golgon before turning right to join the Route des Traouïéro. Follow it to the left for about 600 metres before you reach one of the two entrances to the trail (information sign).

PR® Vallée des Traouïéro

This PR®, which is partially marked, must be followed carefully, as there are many branches that can lead you astray. It should be avoided after heavy rain, as the ground quickly becomes muddy.

(8) Turn left onto the path and descend a series of steps to the junction with the other access point near a small freshwater pond. Then climb up the valley on the right through the granite chaos to reach the Grotte des Contrebandiers (Smugglers' Cave). Further on, 800 metres away, there is a small bridge: a tombstone. Continue uphill for 1 km. Discover the granite pillars.

(9) Turn right to stay in the valley. Play "leapfrog" over the stream, then turn left after a final crossing and climb up to the Kergomar road.

(10) Leave the PR® which continues opposite on the Chemin de Pont Nevez, and turn right. At the crossroads, cross the Kerzinan road and take the Chemin de Granellec almost opposite. Cross a wood to reach the Route de Pleumeur-Boudou. Turn right and join the D6.

(11) Just after the fork, turn into the cul-de-sac on the left. Follow the path through the meadows before reaching a block of houses at Crec'h Lagadurien. Follow the service road to the houses and arrive at a crossroads.

(12) You will come to the GR®34A. Follow it to the left along a sunken path that starts between the houses and descends towards the Kerduel valley. Turn left in front of a cross. Pass the Roz ar Prat farm. After two buildings, look for a path that runs under the trees. This leads to the Traou Guirec road. Take this road to the right, then immediately turn left towards the Kernivinen chapel.

There have been two chapels on this site. The first, dedicated to Saint Mark the Evangelist, was built in a nearby field near Kerprigent Manor, still known as "Champ de la Chapelle" (Chapel Field). The current chapel dates from the 18th century. The gable was built in 1772. The south porch, in Renaissance style, was reused from the previous chapel. The bell tower was completed in 1758, as attested by the inscription on the bell tower.

After stopping briefly to admire it, continue along the GR® trail on the road until you reach an intersection.

(13) Leave the GR® trail at the dead end on the right and continue straight ahead to reach the Kervélégan road. Turn right and continue to the next crossroads. Turn left towards Kervasclet. Pass the group of houses and continue along this road until you reach the junction with the Route de Pleumer-Boudou.

(14) Turn right onto this main road after crossing it to take the adjacent cycle path. Cross the roundabout (Intermarché car park on the right) using the pedestrian crossings and continue along Rue de Kérambran until you reach Rue Francois-Mary Luzel. Turn right to reach your accommodation in the housing estate (S/E).

Quite a bit of tarmac due to the urban part of the route to avoid leaving from one of the paid car parks in the town centre. The departure option was chosen based on the accommodation found. Contact me by PM for the details of the guesthouse booked during the stay, if interested.

Another option is the Intermarché car park near the Kerabram roundabout.

A lot of tourist information is mentioned in the description. Take the time to read it. In addition...

The Ploumanac'h tide mill is located at the bottom of the Petit Traouïero valley, which separates Ploumanac'h from Trégastel. It was built in 1833 and was covered with a red tile roof, hence its name "Milin Ruz" (the red mill in Breton). From 1892 onwards, the mill was used to make ice for preserving fish, using a machine designed by Pictet. In 1965, despite local protests, the Departmental Directorate of Architecture insisted that the tiles be replaced with slates.. Its name then became inconsistent, especially as there is a second mill nearby, in the same valley but in the commune of Trégastel, called "Milin Glaz" (the blue mill in Breton) because of its slate roof. It's enough to make you lose your Breton..