The Ascent of Mont Bel Air

Admittedly, this isn’t the Alps, but this circular route still takes you up to the highest point in the Côtes d’Armor (339 m above sea level). The walk starts at the very pretty Notre-Dame du Haut chapel and climbs via sunken paths, farm tracks and small roads to the Notre-Dame du Mont-Carmel chapel. These two places of worship were once popular pilgrimage destinations and sites of indulgences. The route offers some beautiful views of the countryside stretching as far as the shores of Saint-Brieuc Bay.

Details

30621870
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.74 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 784 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 784 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,102 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 486 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Trédaniel (22510)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 48.349597° / W 2.621614°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 0917SB
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Description of the walk

The route starts at the Notre-Dame du Haut Chapel (parking available).
On the way back: you can take the time to visit the sacred fountain by taking the tree-lined path to the east, about a hundred metres away.

(S/E) Start the walk by heading north along the Trédaniel and Moncontour road for 600 metres. At the crossroads by the wayside cross, turn right, then, after 200 metres, take the path on the left. Once you reach the bottom of the valley, stay on the path on the right.

(1) At the Ville Méno crossroads, cross over and take the road opposite. At the end of this road, turn left, and after about a hundred metres, opposite the hamlet of La Touche, turn onto a path on the right. Underneath the high-voltage power line, turn left and join a small road at the hamlet of Le Rocher.

(2) Continue along this road, ignoring the first two junctions, then take a track that climbs into the woods on the left. Follow this track to the telecoms mast. Continue straight on along the road to the Notre-Dame du Mont-Carmel Chapel.

(3) Leave the site heading south-west via the Route de Plessala. After 400 m, take a farm track on the right. At the first junction, carry straight on to join the Route de Trédaniel. Follow this to the left for about 600 m.

(4) At the Bel Orient crossroads, take the wide track on the left. Follow it straight on for 1 km.

(5) At the end of a very large field, turn onto a path on the right. Follow it straight on until you reach the small Haute Ville road after passing under the power line.

(6) Turn right onto this road, pass through the hamlet of La Haute Ville, continue left at La Maison Neuve and go past La Ville Bourset.

(7) 50 metres past the Langle farm, at the bend, take the path on the left. At the first junction, continue along the path opposite and join the road. Turn left and then carry on straight ahead to the Notre-Dame du Haut Chapel.

(S/E) Turn left down the tree-lined lane towards the sacred fountain – spring.

(8) Turn round and head back to (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 597 ft - Notre-Dame du Haut Chapel
  2. 1 : mi 1.37 - alt. 525 ft - La Ville Méno
  3. 2 : mi 2.29 - alt. 719 ft - The Rock
  4. 3 : mi 3.86 - alt. 1,102 ft - Notre-Dame du Mont-Carmel - Mont Bel-Air
  5. 4 : mi 5.3 - alt. 909 ft - Bel Orient crossroads
  6. 5 : mi 6.09 - alt. 810 ft - Junction
  7. 6 : mi 6.53 - alt. 794 ft - The Upper Town
  8. 7 : mi 7.5 - alt. 623 ft - Junction after Langle
  9. 8 : mi 8.61 - alt. 538 ft - Sacred fountain – spring
  10. S/E : mi 8.74 - alt. 597 ft - Notre-Dame du Haut Chapel

Notes

This route follows sections of marked trails: ‘L'ascension du Mont Bel Air’ and ‘Sur le toit des Côtes d’Armor’. There are signposts but few trail markers.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
tigrepapillon
tigrepapillon

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, easy walk with clear signposting.

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Picson06230
Picson06230

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk in sunny but cool and windy weather, once the mist had lifted – the mist had previously prevented us from enjoying the superb views.
Take care between the hamlet of La Touche and point 2: the route follows a sunken track designed to allow water to drain naturally. This is very muddy and can be tricky in heavy rain.
The climb between points 2 and 3 isn’t difficult but is a steady ascent.
Between points 5 and 7, the grass is sometimes tall, so you’ll need to tread carefully as it can sometimes cover tractor tracks.

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jmdoutey
jmdoutey

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

The main attraction of this route is undoubtedly the view from the top of Mont Bel Air. Unfortunately for us, there was very thick fog that day, which meant we were unable to see for ourselves. Otherwise, the route is fairly easy, as the gradients are very steady, with no sudden changes, and the scenery along the way is fairly monotonous, consisting mainly of fields...The first section, before the ascent, consists of paths which, if it has rained, can be very muddy as they are used by tractors

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