Long walk in the Carnac countryside

A beautiful hike in the Carnac countryside, not forgetting to visit the well-known alignments and other megalithic sites. You will discover another side of Carnac, namely its forests, countryside and freshwater sources. Some truly beautiful places.

Details

3261908
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.29 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 30 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 30 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 30 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 7 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Carnac (56340)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 47.591151° / W 3.083417°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 0821OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the large Ménec car park, near the alignments of the same name.

(S/E) Leave the car park towards the alignments, cross the road at the pedestrian crossing and climb the few steps just after. Turn left to enter the alignments and continue on the left in line with them to reach their end. Exit through the small gate and immediately take the path on the right that goes around the alignments. Follow it until you reach a small car park. Turn left and cross the road.

(1) On the other side of the road, turn left and follow the road, first on a path and then on the hard shoulder. Continue in this direction, ignoring the small dead ends on the right and left, until you reach a Y-junction. Turn left, go to the end of the dead end, where a path begins between two low walls. Continue along this path, which crosses a campsite, to reach a small road.

(2) Cross it and continue straight ahead. The path passes by some old buildings from the Second World War. You will come to a small road at a small pond.

(3) Turn left and then immediately right into the small cul-de-sac which turns into a path. Continue straight ahead until you reach a calvary and then turn right. Cross the small road and continue straight ahead on the path, ignoring a path leading off to the left. A little further on, follow the path to the right towards Nautério for a return trip to the dolmen of the same name.

(4) Return to the main path and turn right to continue.

(5) At the Y-junction, take the left-hand path to Crucuny, reach a small road, turn left and then right. Follow this small road to the D119. Cross it carefully, continue straight ahead and, as soon as possible, turn left onto a path between properties.

(6) This path joins a small road. Follow it in the same direction, crossing the small bridge over the Gouyanzeur. You will reach the hamlet of Coëtatouz.

(7) Walk to the chapel and back before turning right onto the small path. Pass a small calvary and continue through the forest on this good path. Continue straight ahead until you reach a small road, which you should take on the right.

(8) Take the path on the left, next to a house. Continue along this path until you reach a small road, which you should cross to continue along a small path opposite. This path is circular and is more pleasant than walking along the road.

(9) Cross the road and take the path at the end of the small car park that runs alongside the road. When the path joins the road, cross it and continue along the wide path opposite. Pass over the Gouyanzeur again and next to a small menhir.

(10) Take the wide path on the right between two small walls, then turn right again. Follow the small road. At the next intersection, continue straight ahead onto a carriage road, passing by the Dolmen de la Madeleine, then a little further on, make a small detour to the Chapel of La Madeleine.

(11) Continue along the carriageway, reach the hamlet of Kerguéarec and continue along the small road until you reach the D186. Turn left. Please note that the road you are walking along is sometimes busy and cars drive fast, so stay on the side of the road for 400 metres. Take the first path on the right and follow it until you reach a clear space. This area has been developed to showcase the Giant of Manïo.

(12) Continue along the path to reach the Quadrilatère, pass two small walls and turn right to follow the edge of the woods before turning left. Keep left at the various intersections and the path will lead you to the road. Turn right to walk along the Kermario Alignments. If the gates are open, enter the alignments and head for the tower (an old mill) which offers a view of the alignments. Continue through the alignments or along the road to the next path that crosses the alignments.

(13) Turn right onto this path, and at the end of the alignments, turn left to follow them. Pass a picnic area and continue straight ahead, following the road along a paved path. Cross to the other side of the road when the path invites you to do so. Cross the D119 with caution and, opposite, take the paved path in the middle of the alignments. Stay on this path until you reach the small road.

(1) Take the same path you took on the way there, which runs alongside the rows of trees. When you reach the end, go through the gate to walk between the rows of trees, then come out to cross the road and return to the car park where you started. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 21 m - Le Ménec car park
  2. 1 : km 0.69 - alt. 18 m - Crossroads of the Circular Loop
  3. 2 : km 1.57 - alt. 18 m - Road crossing
  4. 3 : km 2.53 - alt. 17 m - Small pond
  5. 4 : km 3.55 - alt. 17 m - Nautério Dolmen
  6. 5 : km 3.95 - alt. 13 m - Y-shaped intersection
  7. 6 : km 4.82 - alt. 12 m - Path on the left
  8. 7 : km 5.3 - alt. 16 m - Coëtatouz
  9. 8 : km 6.87 - alt. 21 m - Path on the left
  10. 9 : km 7.89 - alt. 14 m - Small car park, road
  11. 10 : km 8.56 - alt. 8 m - Small menhir
  12. 11 : km 9.31 - alt. 21 m - Chapel of La Madeleine
  13. 12 : km 11.35 - alt. 22 m - Giant of Manïo
  14. 13 : km 13.16 - alt. 19 m - Alignements de Kermario
  15. S/E : km 15.29 - alt. 21 m - Le Ménec car park

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 16 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 3464618

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

HELLO, I am from the Nancy Lorraine Alpine Club. I have not yet completed all the hikes planned for 3 to 10 May 2026 in Moelans (CAP FRANCE) and the surrounding area. You visited Maron in April 2025 during the hiking festival, and we discussed various issues related to the application.
There will be 65 of us hiking during that week in May and four leaders, so 24 different hikes: it promises to be great!
I have chosen six hikes that suit me in terms of distance and terrain. We'll see. Best regards, Michel.

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clubderandonnées
clubderandonnées

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike, very easy and pleasant in the sunshine, with very interesting alignments.

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User 8284240

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike!
Lots of little places and sites to discover!
It's a pleasure to walk around the countryside!
I highly recommend this hike

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nuagerouge
nuagerouge

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The description on Visorando is more accurate than the maps provided by the tourist office, thank you.
It is a beautiful hike, long but pleasant, without any particular difficulties and with some interesting sites to see, as well as charming little hamlets.
However, you need to watch out for cars when crossing roads, as they drive fast. Walking on the left-hand side of the road is strongly recommended

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POTTIER Philippe
POTTIER Philippe

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice route, a bit too much tarmac for our liking. I can confirm the stress of driving along the D186. Beautiful paths, a few people near the tree lines.

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JYM56LO
JYM56LO

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful route. Numerous picturesque hamlets - megalithic sites - old wash houses. Easy hike.

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Chlotilde
Chlotilde

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

At number 11, there is a 300-metre stretch along a busy road with no footpath, which is a bit stressful. Otherwise, it is a very pleasant route with lots of woods, pretty hamlets and other quiet roads.
The route is very well maintained, with lots of people around the standing stones but very picturesque elsewhere. Definitely worth doing again

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JMC35
JMC35

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting route, combining popular tourist attractions (alignments) with the peaceful countryside to the north. Marshy sections after 3 and up to 5. Allows you to discover the alignments, which remain parish specific to Brittany and clearly visible thanks to the low fences.

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Pascal C56
Pascal C56

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

After visiting the alignments, we were tempted to explore the Carnac countryside. Unfortunately, heavy rainfall in previous weeks had made part of the route impassable. From Kerogel (3) to Beg Lann (5), the path was sometimes flooded with 10 to 15 cm of water across its entire width, and the embankments were impassable. We had to make so many detours that we were forced to cut across the four paths from Mané Brizil to avoid ending up under the night sky.
It's a shame, but we'll come back when conditions are more favourable.
That's part of the hazards of hiking...
A route to avoid for the time being, until the ground dries out.

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patrouchkabol
patrouchkabol

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant route, alternating between woods and countryside, which is very popular when it passes near the alignments.

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lougris
lougris

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very varied and enjoyable route.

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la medusa
la medusa

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

i would like to thank the people who maintain the paths and especially those who mark them out
a big thank you to everyone
the route itself is magnificent. It is important to note that more than 4,000 people may have walked the same path as us

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micheldurand
micheldurand

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, fairly shaded route in summer.
Suggestions:
Add a detour to the nearby Saint Michel burial mound to the route.

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Occitanie54
Occitanie54

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 03, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We had a wonderful day in the sunshine among the standing stones. An easy hike with very good signposting.

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netphi@sfr.fr
netphi@sfr.fr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant country walk. Shady paths on this hot late summer's day. Accurate description and route.

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