La Roche-Derrien and the Hortence Garden

This walk begins and ends on the banks of the ponds at La Roche-Derrien (Crec’h an Goué). The route first takes us to St Anne’s Chapel, which is part of Kermézen Castle. We then cross the Hortence Garden (10ha), where a Dutch couple grow hydrangeas to export to the land of tulips. We finish by admiring the view of Le Jaudy from a promontory, the Oppidum de La Roche, with the Calvaire Chapel.

Details

208847
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.58 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 469 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 472 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 236 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 0 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Langoat (22450)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 48.751453° / W 3.2782°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 0714OT, 0814OT, 0815SB
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Description of the walk

(S/E) From the car park at the Salle Polyvalente, go down the steps, cross the road and turn right. Walk between the buildings, take the dirt track and then turn right to walk alongside the first pond.

(1) Continue straight on along the second pond until you reach the road.

(2) After about twenty metres on the road, take the stony track on the right. It leads to a road which you take on the left (be careful, there is a lot of traffic on the D72). Cross the road and turn right towards the bridge to cross the Jaudy.

Take the first street on the left: Rue Saint-Jean de la Mer. At the end of the street, turn right and, 30 metres further on, take the path on the left which runs alongside the properties. Take the hairpin bend to the right, then veer slightly to the left and finally to the right to follow the river. Continue alongside the plots in the housing estate until you reach the road.

(3) Carry on straight ahead along the road: Rue Ernest le Barzic. At the end, turn left onto the D33.

(4) 50 metres further on, take the path on the right to enter the football pitch (the gate is never locked, but please close it behind you). Go round the football pitch on the right to take a small path on the right just before the end of the pitch. Continue to the right into the Cité des Sorbiers.

(5) Follow the path veering slightly to the left until you reach a crossroads. Cross the road and go straight on, following the cemetery wall on your right. Continue straight on along this road.

(6) Turn left and, 150 metres further on, at the Fork in the road, follow the road to the left. At a 90° bend to the right, turn onto the path on the left. At the hamlet of Pen ar Crec’h, continue straight on until you reach the crossroads.

(7) Turn right and carry on straight ahead along this road until you reach the hamlet of Lezonom. At the next junction, head straight on towards St Anne’s Chapel (you can see the castle on the left, but it is private property).

(8) From the chapel, join the road on the right and continue to the left. Pass Kerancoz and arrive at Rivoallan. On the right, you’ll see the “Jardin Hortence” building.

(9) Turn left and walk round the garden, following the red signposts (during the flowering season, from May to September, you’ll need to contact the owners).
Retrace your steps back to the chapel.

(8) Carry on to the left. Follow the road straight ahead to rejoin a section you passed on the way there, but in the opposite direction, then reach the crossroads.

(6) Carry on straight ahead again, leaving the route you took on the way there, until you reach the Fork in the road.

(10) Turn left onto Rue du Guialou, then right onto Rue de l’Hôpital. After passing the post office, turn left onto Place du Martray, continue straight on along Rue de l’Église and take the first street on the left.

(11) At the junction, carry on straight ahead towards the Calvaire Chapel, situated on the oppidum.

(12) Walk around the chapel: a magnificent panoramic view of the Jaudy Valley opens up before you.

(11) Turn left onto the Venelle des Anglais (be careful, the descent is steep). At the bottom, cross Rue de la Rive then turn right onto Chemin du Quai, which runs alongside the Jaudy. You’ll reach the road. Following the reverse route of the outward journey, turn left to cross the bridge and, after taking the path on the right, head towards the junction.

(2) Turn left towards the Moulin de la Flèche to walk alongside the two ponds on the opposite bank. You’ll reach the road; turn left to return to the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 75 ft - Car park at the Salle Polyvalente
  2. 1 : mi 0.2 - alt. 46 ft - 1st pond
  3. 2 : mi 0.52 - alt. 36 ft - Cross the road, then take the path on the right towards the - Jaudy (fleuve)
  4. 3 : mi 1.26 - alt. 82 ft - At the end of the housing estate: go straight on
  5. 4 : mi 1.48 - alt. 92 ft - Entrance to the football pitch
  6. 5 : mi 1.69 - alt. 108 ft - Side road on the left
  7. 6 : mi 2.11 - alt. 128 ft - Turn left at the junction
  8. 7 : mi 2.98 - alt. 226 ft - At the crossroads, turn right
  9. 8 : mi 3.51 - alt. 144 ft - St Anne’s Chapel
  10. 9 : mi 3.89 - alt. 118 ft - The Hortence Gardens
  11. 10 : mi 6.21 - alt. 85 ft - At the fork in the road, take the road on the left
  12. 11 : mi 6.4 - alt. 79 ft - Take a return trip to the chapel
  13. 12 : mi 6.44 - alt. 102 ft - Oppidum and Calvary Chapel
  14. S/E : mi 7.58 - alt. 75 ft - Car park at the community hall

Notes

On both the outward and return journeys, the banks of the ponds can be very wet. Waterproof footwear is therefore essential; otherwise, you will have to take the very busy D72.

Worth a visit

(8) Saint Anne’s Chapel and Kermézen Castle.
(9) The Hortence Garden.
La Roche-Derrien (town centre)
(12) The oppidum and the Calvaire Chapel.

Reviews and comments

3.7 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
3.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.6 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Marc Dreguer
Marc Dreguer

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An interesting walk that sheds light on the turbulent history of La Roche Derrien and takes you past small chapels and Merzen Castle. Hortense’s garden is stunning, with a breathtaking view of the countryside from the top!

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MuséeNoelCarlier
MuséeNoelCarlier

Overall rating : 3 / 5

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

As mentioned elsewhere, I feel the description leaves something to be desired, particularly up to point 6. The map is very useful, but some small (yet important!) details are difficult to make out. My sat-nav came to the rescue throughout this pleasant and varied walk.

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ST89500
ST89500

Overall rating : 2.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
The directions are very vague.
The description gives the impression that the writer hasn’t actually done the route!
That’s a shame, as it’s a lovely walk.
Best wishes to you all.
Stéphane

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LE BRAS François
LE BRAS François

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 19, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A bit too many tarmac roads for my liking, but perhaps it’s difficult to ‘do’ it any other way.

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vesparando@hotmail.fr
vesparando@hotmail.fr

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 04, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

As usual, it’s really well done

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