Apigné ponds and banks of the Vilaine

Enjoy a pleasant walk along the Vilaine river and the Étangs d'Apigné lakes. This lake area is very popular with the people of Rennes for sports and picnics. You are sure to come across joggers and cyclists along the path.

Details

538474
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.05 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 6 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 6 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 27 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 20 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Bruz (35170)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 48.06467° / W 1.760717°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 1218SB, 1219SB
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

The starting point is at a place called Champcors. There is a car park along the Vilaine river in the commune of Bruz.

(S/E) Take the path opposite, on the other side of the D434. Follow this path which runs alongside and up the Vilaine until it crosses a road, "Route de la Planche".

(1) Turn right, follow the road for a few metres, pass the bar-restaurant "Les Terrasses d'Apigné", cross the street to enter the pond site. Go around the pond on the right.

(2) Cross the small wooden bridge and continue.

(3) At the next crossroads, continue to the left. Go around the pond. Walk along the right-hand side, past a marshy area, then a pond.

(4) Do not continue along the path that goes around the pond. Turn right and continue straight along this path until you reach the road called "Chemin de la Prévalaye".

(5) Follow this road for a short distance on the left-hand side. Take the first road on the left, Chemin Pierre Flatrès, and continue along it until you reach the towpath that runs alongside the Vilaine.

(6) Take the towpath on the left. Be careful as this path is very popular with cyclists and runners.

(7) Leave the towpath and turn left towards the lake for a short round trip to the water sports centre, where you will find urban sports equipment and a beautiful beach.
Retrace your steps and continue around the pond in an anti-clockwise direction. After a few hundred metres, leave the pond on your right and rejoin the towpath, opposite a boat repair workshop. This workshop and a few other buildings are located on an island created by the separation of the Vilaine into two canals.

(8) Take the path on the left. You will return to the village near the bar-restaurant "Les Terrasses d'Apigné". Cross the road.

(1) Continue along the towpath, retracing your steps in the opposite direction, until you reach the village of Champcors. Cross the D434 road to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 21 m - Champcors car park - Vilaine (fleuve)
  2. 1 : km 3.8 - alt. 24 m - Route de la Planche
  3. 2 : km 4.4 - alt. 21 m - Small wooden bridge
  4. 3 : km 4.53 - alt. 23 m - On the left
  5. 4 : km 4.95 - alt. 22 m - Turn right towards Chemin de la Prévalaye.
  6. 5 : km 5.63 - alt. 24 m - Chemin de la Prévalaye
  7. 6 : km 6.29 - alt. 23 m - Turn left on the towpath.
  8. 7 : km 7.68 - alt. 23 m - Turn left towards the lake. After the confluence of the - Flûte (rivière)
  9. 8 : km 8.05 - alt. 23 m - Turn left on the towpath.
  10. S/E : km 12.05 - alt. 21 m - Champcors car park

Notes

There are numerous facilities along the route, especially on the main lake.
At the water sports centre, there is a beautiful sandy beach for relaxing, urban sports equipment available to all, and supervised swimming in summer.

Worth a visit

Very close to Rennes, the capital of Brittany. For those who don't know it, it's a very pleasant little town. Don't miss visiting: The Parliament of Brittany, the Town Hall, the Opera House, the Thabor Gardens, the Champs Libres...

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 13 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
3.8 / 5
tugny44
tugny44

Thank you for your kind message.
We wish you all the best on your travels.
Best regards.

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etienne92.d
etienne92.d

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

While travelling around the region, I had some time to spare before meeting up with friends, so I took the opportunity to go on this wonderful walk.
Thank you for the discovery, it was great and there was no one else there!

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Kleeo
Kleeo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy and pleasant route along the water's edge (with the opportunity to swim in the pond and a water source to fill your water bottles), but the 3.8 km return journey is a little long as it is in full sun.

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tugny44
tugny44

Thank you, Hélène, and good luck on the Visorando trails.
Best regards

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HELENE 35
HELENE 35

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb walk, very relaxing and without any difficulty.
Excellent instructions
To be repeated

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M Guerard
M Guerard

Hello,
thank you for your comments.
I'm glad you like this route.

Have a nice day.

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rodger
rodger

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very well appointed

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footsore
footsore

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

While visiting Rennes, we chose this route as the only one in the surrounding area that was of a suitable length (all the others were either too short, in urban areas, or both). We found it very pleasant nonetheless, running alongside the river and ponds. But as usual, too few cyclists signalled their presence.

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M Guerard
M Guerard

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route with quite varied landscapes.

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CAROLE MONTIER
CAROLE MONTIER

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy hike, ideal for families with young children. The Apigné ponds are a perfect spot for lunch or a snack. Please note that there is very little shade along the route, so be sure to bring appropriate gear in hot weather.

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Babotchka
Babotchka

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very pleasant walk along the ponds. However, we did it in the afternoon when it was very hot, and it is a bit long and only shaded in places, so it is better to do it in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat.

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SAPO31
SAPO31

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing

Too urban for my taste; most of the route is paved. Noise from the airport. Suitable for families looking for a Sunday stroll. Children will love the ponds.

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rarebleuet
rarebleuet
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 17, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely walk, mostly along the water, very pleasant when the weather is fine. If it is very hot, it is best to do it in the morning.

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jacquesyLhénaf
jacquesyLhénaf

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 05, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very pleasant walk on a clear day; avoid hot days.

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maminini2249
maminini2249

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 16, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A route accessible to all, a pleasant hike.

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