The Fountain and Cromlec'h of Lorette and the Rigole d'Hilvern

In the footsteps of the Toileux: 19th-century linen manufacturers; a journey back in time with the Cromlec'h de Lorette (an ancient covered burial passage) ending with the Rigole d'Hilvern: a man-made stream dug to feed the Nantes-Brest Canal - a little-known aspect of Brittany.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.55 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 194 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 194 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 295 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 145 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Le Quillio (22460)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 48.240974° / W 2.882992°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 0817SB, 0917SB, 0918SB
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure: car park in front of Le Quillio town hall.

(S) Facing the town hall, turn left then right onto Rue des Lavandières towards Penher. At the wash house, continue on the same road, leaving the D35 on your right. Continue until you reach this departmental road and, at the crossroads in the hamlet of Le Penher, turn left towards a calvary.

(1) Take the first road on the right, the D69, signposted Fontaine de Lorette. After 100 metres, take the small road on the right signposted "sans issue" (dead end), then at the first bend, continue along the stony path on the left and go straight ahead, ignoring the turnings on the right and left.

(2) The path ends in front of the Notre-Dame de Lorette fountain. Turn right (due east) towards the chapel visible among the trees.

(3) At the chapel, continue straight ahead, then turn left at the first road and pass the hamlet of Beau Séjour.

(4) Turn right and continue until you reach a road, which you take by turning right at a place called Le Chêne au Loup, then leave 50 metres further on.

(5) Take a path on the left that passes near La Tourlarie. Continue along this path for just over a kilometre until you reach a road.

(6) Continue right downhill around a bend and continue straight ahead until you reach the D35, which you take by turning left, leaving it 100 metres further on for a path on the right.

(7) Before the Chapelle Saint-Maurice, turn right between a shed and a small house: pass a field entrance on your right and take the shaded lane that descends to the Rigole d'Hilvern.
Follow the towpath, turning right. Continue across a road to reach a round cement table.

(8) After crossing the bridge, turn right to join the D35, which you take by turning left. At the town entrance sign, take the street on the left. At the intersection, turn right and then left into Rue du Vieux Bourg.

(9) Take the first street on the right, Rue des Promenades, then turn left towards the church. After the church grounds, turn right into the street that leads back to the town hall car park (starting point).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 177 m
  2. 1 : km 1.29 - alt. 202 m - Leave the D35 on the right.
  3. 2 : km 2.65 - alt. 276 m - Notre-Dame de Lorette fountain
  4. 3 : km 3.06 - alt. 294 m - Cromle'h
  5. 4 : km 4.28 - alt. 278 m - Junction with the GRP "Au Pays des Toileux"
  6. 5 : km 5.09 - alt. 245 m - Path on the left.
  7. 6 : km 6.91 - alt. 237 m - Place known as "Leffaut"
  8. 7 : km 8.17 - alt. 154 m - Saint-Maurice Chapel
  9. 8 : km 9.72 - alt. 147 m - Cement table
  10. 9 : km 10.36 - alt. 177 m - Rue des Promenades.
  11. S/E : km 10.55 - alt. 177 m

Notes

From (4) to (6)GRP®: in the Pays des Toileux.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
mimito
mimito

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk despite the tarmac section, but the monuments are very pretty, and what can I say about the village of LEQILLIO...

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SB22
SB22

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, interesting for its landscapes, architecture and history. There are a few hills at the start, and overall, several sections on small roads that are not too busy, but caution is still advised.
However, at the start and end, there are two sections along the D35, which is very busy. It is possible to avoid them by slightly extending the route (11.5 km instead of 10.5 km):
- at the start: when you reach the D35, cross over and head towards Bôlieu. At the top of the hill, where the path from the Notre Dame de Lorette chapel joins, take the path on the left that leads back down, with the woods on your right, until you reach the small road on the right and the stony path that climbs up, as described in the route
- Towards the end: leaving the Hilvern ditch, cross the D35 again, towards Lannegoff, to make a circular (see map) that will lead to a final crossing of the D35, to rejoin the route
Enjoy your hike!

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le marchand
le marchand

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The setting is magnificent and well worth discovering. However, the route is very poorly explained and without a smartphone, it is possible to get lost right at the start of the hike. In fact, I got lost several times. There are not enough signs to help you find your way along the route. Nevertheless, I would recommend this beautiful hike to everyone.

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Telhoc
Telhoc

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 07, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I had printed out the route, but the important thing when you're exploring somewhere for the first time is to check the description regularly, otherwise you'll stray off course without actually getting lost! So we'll have to do it again and follow the instructions to the letter! Thank you.

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isacham
isacham
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk despite the tarmac section.
Completed in 2 hours and 23 minutes.

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jacksparrhow
jacksparrhow

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 30, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, thank you very much for sharing!

You can view this hike on our YouTube channel, Les Randonneurs Amateur.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCssukaBYZNw2Pr6lwTiDVOw?view_as=subscriber

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Babotchka
Babotchka

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing

Everything is well signposted and there are some interesting places to see (Cromlech, Fountain, Sainte-Lorette Chapel) as well as the end along the canal.

However, a large part of the hike takes place on tarmac. Even though these are quiet roads, it's not very interesting...
And there are two sections on two departmental roads, which are quite busy, which isn't great.
It's almost better to go to the fountain and the canal separately, but the entire circular is of no real interest.

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mitchka
mitchka

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Nice walk; only downside: 200 metres from Le Quillio on a busy country road (lorries) – best avoided with children.

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arbre2
arbre2

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 15, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A beautiful walk starting from Quillio in glorious sunshine. The climb is at the start of the route, followed by beautiful views over the valley. The ridge is a little damp (hiking boots recommended). There is a picnic table near the Notre Dame de Lorette chapel. It is impossible to get lost if you follow the route and the instructions carefully. The end of the route is very pleasant, along the Hilvern stream. Don't look for markers, just follow the route. We really enjoyed it and regret starting a little late, which meant we didn't have time to go to the cromlech... Next time.

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fifou74
fifou74

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

First hike with Visandro and, honestly, it was great.
I'm from the area, but I discovered new places because I don't normally venture onto certain roads or paths, and it allows me to get to know the area better.
Nice walk and easy to follow.

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Tee51
Tee51

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We went on a great hike and ended up visiting the magnificent Le Quillio Abbey.

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FATHIGAHU
FATHIGAHU

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

For my first experience with Visorando, I am impressed by the concept. As a regular Nordic walker, I believe I will find and share some great hikes.
Thank you for the initiative.

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