See the review dated 21/02/2022: work in progress on this hike
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Access: from Caen, head towards Hérouville and Ouistreham (D515). Exit towards Bénouville and Merville-Franceville until you reach Pegasus Bridge. Cross the bridge and continue for 3 km towards Merville to reach the Maison de la Nature et de l'Estuaire in Sallenelle, where you can park.
(S) With your back to the Maison de la Nature et de l'Estuaire and facing the bay, turn right and follow the small road along the path towards Merville.
(1) At the Restaurant de la Baie, turn left onto the path still towards Merville (go under a gate). Continue along the bay until you reach the road (D514). Follow this road on the left for about 200 metres.
(2) At the crossroads, take the second path on the right to reach the bay observatory. From the promontory, don't miss the view of the bay and its birds.
(3) Take the path along the road and, when you reach Merville, turn immediately left onto the bay path towards the water sports centre.
(4) At the car park of the old Redoute (orientation table), continue along the small road to the left or take a short detour through the dunes.
(5) Join and cross the water sports centre until you reach the Transat bar, which offers an exceptional view of the bay and the Ouistreham lighthouse on the other side of the Orne. Continue to the right on the path that follows a stone dyke. Walk along the beautiful sandy beach opposite the Pointe du Siège for a good kilometre.
(2) Once you are back near the road (D 514) but before reaching it, turn right towards Sallenelle to take the path you took on the way there in the opposite direction.
(1) At the Restaurant de la Baie, turn right to return to the car park at the Maison de la Nature (S/E).
Good hike, pleasant but a lot of cycling on the residential part of the park before the reserve loop.
Visorando member
Moderate 
Difficult 
