Circular forest loop between Lacanau-Océan and Hourtin-Plage

Start from the North car park in Lacanau-Océan, near the cemetery.

The route runs entirely on tarmac or concrete paths, and mainly on cycle paths (see details in the practical information). In the forest, you will come across numerous sandy tracks and firebreaks, which you should always ignore. There are numerous signposts along the entire route.

Cycle path

(S/E) On leaving the car park, turn right and follow the cycle path towards Lac Sud. At the stop sign, cross the boulevard and turn right.

Shared traffic

(1) At the Stop sign, turn left onto Rue Fénelon towards the town centre. At the next junction, turn right, still heading towards the town centre, then turn left onto Avenue Victor Hugo.

(2) At the roundabout, go straight on to reach the seafront. Then turn left.

(3) At the central roundabout on the seafront, turn left onto Allée Pierre Ortal (no entry except for cyclists). Cross one street and, at the next roundabout, follow Allée du Matelot straight ahead (no entry except for cyclists).

Cycle lane

(4) When the road bends left, continue straight on along the cycle path towards Bordeaux. Cross an avenue and continue along the path through the pine forest.

(5) At the roundabout, go straight ahead and follow the D6 on the right-hand side.

(6) At the next roundabout, turn left, cross Avenue du Cantabria and go through a tunnel under a road. Further on, go through a second tunnel.

(7) At the Stop sign, and at the following Stop signs, continue straight on towards Le Moutchic and Bordeaux. Stay on the cycle path, known here as the D801.

(8) At a junction, turn left onto a cycle path towards Maubuisson and the Cousseau Nature Reserve. Wind your way through the pine forest, alternating between ascents and descents.

(9) At the crossroads, go straight on towards Maubuisson. Ride along the right-hand side of the nature reserve. Pass a sort of open pass (broom) and continue along the ridge.

(10) Pass the base of a radio mast on the left and continue along the cycle path.

(11) At the Stop sign, cross the D207 on leaving Maubuisson. At the cycle path junction immediately ahead, turn right. At the Stop sign, cross the road and head towards Bombannes.

(12) After a few metres, turn sharply left towards Bombannes and follow the road on the left-hand side.

(13) At a fork in the road, take the path on the right towards Bombannes and Le Lac. At the next junction, go straight on in the same direction and reach the shore of the lake.

Shared traffic

(14) Follow a Basque pelota court on your left and enter the Domaine de Bombannes. At the roundabout, go straight on. Then, pass car parks on both the left and right. Take a short section reserved for cyclists, then follow the lake closely.

(15) At a fork in the road (tree-top adventure course on the left), turn left, pass a car park on the left and head towards La Gracieuse.

(16) At a T-junction, turn left twice towards the estate exit. After about 200m, at another junction, turn right towards the La Gracieuse car park.

(17) Immediately turn left at the car park exit (take care, no entry) and head for the start of a concrete cycle path (trail map, ‘Caution: fire’ sign).

Path reserved for cyclists

(18) Take the narrow concrete track, which is in poor condition, between a sandy path on the left and the lake some distance away on the right.

(19) After about 1.2 km, a sign indicates that the concrete track is closed to cyclists due to its poor condition: turn left onto the Route forestière des Phares, then immediately right onto a tarmac track which continues the sandy path you were following. Begin an ascent.

(20) Make a circular route to the left, moving away from the lake. Alternate between ascents and descents on mostly open terrain (broom) and, after a final descent, arrive at the Carrefour des Cartions.

Shared traffic

(21) Follow the forest road to the right towards Houtin-Plage. Pass by the foot of a radio mast and some small lighthouses on the right-hand side (fences). Pass the Carrefour de Pampelune and arrive at the Carrefour de la Sauvagine.

(22) Continue straight on along the forest road for about 5 km until you reach the Carrefour du Chêne Vert.

Cycle path

(23) Then turn left onto the tarmac cycle path towards Hourtin-Plage. Note a memorial stone on the right-hand side and arrive at a junction.

(24) Continue straight on towards Hourtin-Plage.

Shared-use path

(25) At the end of the path, follow the road to the left (Rue des Chênes Verts). At the end, turn right into Rue des Sables. At the junction with the main road (Avenue Jean Lafitte), turn left, go through a metal gate and head up the dune for a superb view of the ocean.

(26) Retrace your steps via Rue des Sables and Rue des Chênes Verts.

Cycle path

(25) Turn right and rejoin the cycle path.

(24) At the junction, turn right onto a narrow concrete track towards Carcans-Plage. Pass the Maison forestière des Genets on your right and continue along the track, which is in rather poor condition.

(27) At the Carrefour des Poulains, the track is closed to traffic: turn left onto another concrete track towards the Piste du Lac. After crossing a bridle path, continue along the track, which is in poor condition, and you will reach the Carrefour de la Sauvagine.

Shared traffic

(22) Then turn right onto the Route forestière des Phares, towards Carcans-Plage, i.e. in the opposite direction to the outward journey. After about 6 km, you will reach the Carrefour des Cartions.

(21) Continue straight on towards Carcans-Plage.

Cycle path

(28) At the Carrefour de la Citerne (picnic table), turn right onto a tarmac cycle path towards Crohot and the Piste littorale. After a descent, you will reach the Carrefour du Crohot des Cavales (forestry house).

(29) Then turn left onto a concrete track. Ride southwards for about 3 km.

(30) At a fork in the road, take the left-hand track (the right-hand one is closed).

(31) At the Carrefour de Bidaou, turn right onto a tarmac track towards Carcans and Lacanau. Ride past a campsite on your left, then turn left.

(32) When you reach a road, follow it to the right for a few metres, then turn right onto the northern access road towards the beach. After a few dozen metres, at a junction, turn left towards Lacanau. At the stop sign (surf school), continue straight ahead. Pass a restaurant on your left, then a car park.

(33) Continue along the cycle path through the pine forest. Further on, the terrain opens up (cleared areas, broom) and the tarmac gives way to concrete.

(34) At the Carrefour de l’Alexandre, follow the cycle path on the right (tarmac) towards Lacanau. Cross the Lacanau municipal forest and reach the cemetery on the left. Cycle for a further 200m or so and you will find the northern car park of Lacanau-Océan on the right (S/E).

The car park at the start is pay-and-display. Free parking is scarce and quickly becomes unavailable in Lacanau-Océan, particularly in summer.

Choose a hybrid bike or even a mountain bike. Wearing a helmet is recommended.

Water points and public toilets at Hourtin-Plage (26) and Carcans-Plage (33). Bars and restaurants in Lacanau-Océan, Hourtin-Plage and Carcans-Plage. Shops in Lacanau-Océan.

In summer, given the heat and the crowds, don’t hesitate to set off early and take a supply of water with you. The forest environment is fragile; avoid any behaviour that could start a fire (discarding cigarette ends, etc.).

Useful map (at the very least the one accompanying this description).
N.B. On the IGN base map, cycle paths are shown at a scale of 1:6250 as a double purple dash.

Type of routes used:
- Streets or small roads in Lacanau-Océan, in the Domaine de Bombannes and in Hourtin-Plage. In summer, traffic can be heavy. Caution is advised in all seasons.
- Route forestière des Phares, taken once between points (21) and (23), and a second time between points (22) and (28). A quiet road, used only by vehicles from the ONF and the Directorate General of Armaments (which manages the lighthouses).
- Tarmac cycle paths, in good condition. These paths are wide enough to allow vehicles to pass each other but not wide enough for two-way traffic.
- Concrete cycle paths. Four sections are affected: from (18) to (19); from (24) to (22) via (27); from (29) to (31); from (33) to (34). These paths are narrow; passing requires dismounting. On the first two sections, these paths are in poor condition: take care to avoid potholes, cushion the impact of some rough joints between slabs, and do not hesitate to use the sandy verges.

Alternative route and additional information:
Bypass of Lacanau-Océan station - Shortly after setting off, after crossing the boulevard, turn left (not right). Follow the cycle path which, going uphill, runs alongside the Route de Bordeaux. Rejoin the main route at the cycle path roundabout (5).
Lespéron Dune and Étang de Cousseau – At the junction (9), take a gravel track on the right for a return trip.

Walk completed by the author on 24 April 2018.

- Pleasant walks through pine forests, in the heart of the woodland.
- Beautiful views of the ocean at (3) and (26).
- Lake Carcans between (14) and (19).
- Hourtin Lighthouses (1860) between (21) and (22).
- Charming forest house at Crohot des Cavales (29).