The Gracieuse trail (Bombannes - Hourtin)

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In all seasons, Lac de Carcans Hourtin (the largest natural lake in France, 18 km long and 5 km wide) inspires tranquillity. We take the old La Gracieuse cycle path, which is unfortunately now in poor condition. It runs alongside theGR®8, the Way of St James, and leads from the Bombannes base to the tip of La Gracieuse on the western shore of the lake.

Details

n°1087912
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.14 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 40 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 40 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 27 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 15 m
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Photos

Lake arrival point
Lake shore
Former cycle path
La Maison Forestière de la Gracieuse

Description of the walk

Park at the Gracieuse car park. The start of the trail is at the back of this car park, near the small buildings perched on a dune on the left.

(S/E) Take the narrow cement track, which starts at the foot of an information board with a map. Please note that theGR®8(vehicle track) runs parallel to the cycle path; stay on the cement track at all times.

(1) At the sign indicating that the track is closed to cyclists due to damage (junction with theGR®8), stay on the concrete track that branches off to the right.

(2) At the Malignac crossroads, stay on the track to the north-east (do not take theGR®8).

(3) Note the Gemme firebreak on the left and continue along the track.

(4) Stay on the track (do not take theGR®8on your left).

(5) At the Carrefour de la Gracieuse junction (signpost), turn right towards the forest house of the same name.

(6) Walk past the Maison Forestière de la Gracieuse to reach the wild Plage de La Gracieuse beach.

(7) Return via the same route to the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 16 m - La Gracieuse car park
  2. 1 : km 0.89 - alt. 16 m - Keep to your right (do not take the GR8).
  3. 2 : km 1.55 - alt. 21 m - Malignac crossroads
  4. 3 : km 2.77 - alt. 15 m - Continue on the track. Do not take the GR8.
  5. 4 : km 4.27 - alt. 24 m - The path splits (GR8), stay on the track.
  6. 5 : km 5.95 - alt. 26 m - Signpost (Carrefour de la Gracieuse)
  7. 6 : km 6.37 - alt. 16 m - La Gracieuse forest house.
  8. 7 : km 6.58 - alt. 16 m - The wild beach of La Gracieuse.
  9. S/E : km 13.14 - alt. 16 m - La Gracieuse car park

Notes

There is no water on the route except at the Domaine de Bombannes.

(1) Cycle path closed to cyclists due to poor condition, but open to pedestrians.

Hiking boots required. Bring water, especially in hot weather.

Worth a visit

The path is often sandy or earthy, sometimes concrete, built on small roads or connecting tracks constructed during the war by the German army for strategic communication... or built later by forest operators (collecting sap or resin by bicycle!).

 Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 11 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
martinet-galopins
martinet-galopins
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike in an idyllic setting. No one else on the route during this off-season period.
Thank you: sunglasses:

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Jurf
Jurf

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Excellent part of the lake. Follow the route given in the reviews: at point 3, turn right onto the Saint Jacques de Compostelle path, "la voie de Soulac" (the sign is behind the ones indicating the distances to Hourtin and Bombannes).
This section is superb and at the end you will discover a magnificent secluded beach on the lake.
This hike can be combined with the south-western circular of the lake (starting from Montaut or Maubuisson).

The route can be busy outside June/August.

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Frazz
Frazz

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

I followed the route to the forest house, but instead of retracing my steps, I returned via the Saint Jacques path, accessible from point 7, climbing a short steep slope at the edge of the lake. The return journey is therefore more interesting than the long, monotonous straight lines (firebreaks). You walk along the lake. The landscape is magnificent, offering beautiful views and access to some tiny beaches. You rejoin the original trail at point no. 3, then finish the hike back to the starting point by following the concrete track.
A very pretty walk of just over 12 km. The route is available for those interested.

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Marcheur3363
Marcheur3363

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

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randoncool
randoncool

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 09, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We only encountered six people, parking was easy and there were no crowds, which is the advantage of doing this hike now.

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Parental25
Parental25

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

From point 3, take the well-marked Camino de Santiago route instead of the track with endless straight lines and little interest. The Compostela trail runs along the shore of the lake, which is visible at all times, with the option of going to the lake's edge and arriving at the beach by the forest house. This trail was moved to the lake's edge by the ONF (French National Forestry Office) four or five years ago; before that, it was in the middle of the forest.
Round trip distance via the path = 11.60 km
Enjoy your walk!

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Georgio2612
Georgio2612

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful walks in the forest and along the shores of Lake Bombannes. We set off a little before the starting point, so we extended the route. Once we reached the end of the walk at point 7, we returned via the Compostela trail, which follows the lake shore fairly closely and offers beautiful views. It is well signposted. There are a few sandy dunes to cross on this return route, and you need to watch out for roots. This path rejoins the hiking trail at around point 3. This means you don't have to return by the same path and you can do a real circular. Overall, a real nature outing in a magnificent setting. We did this hike in very good weather.

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clubderandonnées
clubderandonnées

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy and pleasant hike in beautiful sunshine, leading to the lake with its stunning views.

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cc.webmiss
cc.webmiss

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The walk couldn't be easier, as it's flat and impossible to get lost. Just follow the old cycle path, which is very reliable.
It provides access to the lake for much of the route.
For a peaceful walk, it's best to go early in the morning to avoid the cyclists and walkers who start to appear in large numbers from late morning onwards.

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les2D
les2D

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hike completed on a beautiful sunny winter day. Impossible to get lost, easy to find the starting point according to the description (there is only one holiday residence near the car park). Then you're "on track". Round trip route.
Several points of interest along the route: panoramic views of the lake, peace and quiet in winter, vestiges of recent French history.

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Incantesimu
Incantesimu

Good evening,
I don't understand what btes means. At no point in my description do I mention piles of wood or rubble as landmarks. This route is the simplest there is, with no major difficulties and wooden signposts that are always present.

Incantesimu

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btes
btes

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

We did this hike twice because the first time we got lost, poor us!
Some of the signs along the route were temporary, and the landmarks (piles of rubble, piles of wood, etc.) had disappeared.
Armed with our experience, we were much less hesitant the second time, but... it still wasn't quite right, as it was sometimes too vague.
Nevertheless, we had two enjoyable afternoons and we thank the author of the route.

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