Guyoult (fleuve) walks

This route allows us to alternate between the discovery of a hilly landscape, marked by hedgerows and embankments, and the open landscape of the Dol marshes, criss-crossed by its vast network of canals and ditches and punctuated by the omnipresence of Mont-Dol and Dol-de-Bretagne Cathedral.

This is a route with a very distinctive elevation profile: 95% of the route is at sea level, with only the Mont-Dol rising above it. But the main attractions of this route are, on the one hand, the Bay, a landscape listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, and on the other hand, the 350 km of canals, leats and ditches that help regulate the water level in the marsh.

The route is mainly in the countryside, through the Marais Blanc and Marais Noir marshes, with no particular difficulties except for the ascent of the Mont-Dol hill via the north face (slippery in wet weather) and the descent to the town hall (uneven steps). The route takes the Chemin Vert between Dol de Bretagne and Mont-Dol. Beautiful view of the Marais Blanc and the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel from the top of the Mont Dol hill.

This walk takes you along the paths of the Marais Blanc, and alongside the Guyolut, as well as the Cardequin and Ceinture Nord watercourses. The terrain is flat and easy, but can be exposed to the wind.The section of the route through the Marais Blanc allows you to discover old stone farmhouses that have retained the charm of their original stone construction. Some are listed as heritage sites.

This circular route takes you on a tour of Dol-de-Bretagne, a former episcopal city, notably the 13th-century Saint-Samson Cathedral and beautifully restored half-timbered houses. The route follows the Promenade des Remparts and country lanes along the Guyoult coastal river.

Walk along small country roads, with the exception of the coastal stretch near Vivier-sur-Mer. In Vivier-sur-Mer, a point of interest is where the River Guyoult meets three estuaries flowing from the Marias de Dol: the Canal des Planches, the Banche and the Biez de Cardequin. To see them, head to the bridge at the village exit towards Cherrueix.

Dol-de-Bretagne is a small town full of character offering numerous hiking opportunities, the most popular being the Marais Blanc and Marais Noir trails. The route suggested here follows part of the Nominöe route, but differs in that it passes through the countryside further south, taking in the Menhir du Champ Dolent and the Fontaine Saint-Samson.