Pointe du Chay and Pointe de la Belette

March 2024: at (3) DANGER! No trespassing due to risk of rockfalls.
A short tour of Pointe du Chay, which is very fragile, both on the ridge and at its foot, where dangerous rockfalls can occur at any time, so caution is advised.

Details

1100562
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.84 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 9 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 9 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 12 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Angoulins (17690)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 46.103624° / W 1.12727°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 1329ET
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Car park just before the Camping des Chirats campsite, on the right along Rue du Chay (height limit 2 metres). A few spaces are available a little further along the beach or further along the route, but this shortens the walk.

(S/E) From the car park, keeping the road on your left, head right to find the cycle path. Follow it to the left along the marshes (information boards). You will arrive at the beach access road, near a restaurant.

(1) Turn right and climb the stairs leading to the sea wall; follow it to the pier at the end of the beach.

(2) Turn right onto the tarmac road that goes around the Angoulins water sports centre. Pass a car park and you will come to the entrance to a marsh (route shown on the map).

(3) Turn left onto the coastal footpath (no bicycles allowed). Go through a gate and enter the protected area. Walk along the cliffs without leaving the path and admire the view.
Pass a bunker, continue along the coast and then exit through another gate. You will arrive above a few fishing huts at Pointe de la Belette.

(4) Go through another gate and follow the path down to the pier.

(2) Turn right onto the dyke and follow the same route back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 3 m - Car park before the Chirats campsite.
  2. 1 : km 0.65 - alt. 6 m - Turn right onto the sea wall.
  3. 2 : km 1.08 - alt. 3 m - Jetty; junction of the circular loop
  4. 3 : km 1.5 - alt. 4 m - Turn left onto the coastal path.
  5. 4 : km 2.52 - alt. 7 m - Pointe de la Belette
  6. S/E : km 3.84 - alt. 3 m - Car park before the Chirats campsite.

Notes

Please note that Pointe du Chay is a group of private properties where passage is tolerated. Be careful not to stray from the path marked out by ropes.

Two beachfront restaurants, campsite.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
randonneurs.DS
randonneurs.DS
• Edited:

It is not possible to complete this hike.
From point (3), the coastal footpath is closed for safety reasons: "DANGER! No entry due to risk of rockfalls."
So we turn back and walk along the sea wall as a small consolation.

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Mic86
Mic86

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy and very pleasant hike with beautiful views; it can easily be shortened or extended. A wonderful discovery!

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Sevva
Sevva

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A short, easy route with lovely views.

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deforge
deforge

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Short route (a little short) that is particularly interesting at the tip, with beautiful views of Aix, Fort Boyard and La Rochelle at sunset.

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RobertMarie
RobertMarie

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Starting point a little difficult to find (200-300 metres before the campsite).
Beautiful views.
Good for people who cannot walk very far.
Marie.

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le page dominique
le page dominique

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The circular route is too short. Starting from the church, you can go on a 7 km hike, which is more enjoyable... Very beautiful views.

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zozio17
zozio17

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Very easy hike, but do the route following the cycle path, which adds an hour but is more pleasant.

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frenchdoctor
frenchdoctor

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Unfortunately, the dykes that were built (to protect the marshes from flooding, what an absurdity!) have diminished the charm of the area. The point itself remains a beautiful place.

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bernard mallie
bernard mallie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely walk, more interesting along the water's edge, but a bit too short.

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