The Néal Valley and the Lampouy alignments in Médréac

Médréac, a small village in Ille-et-Vilaine, on the border with Côtes d'Armor. The route is particularly attractive: the picturesque Néal valley with the cave of Gabillard, a local Chouan resistance fighter, the megalithic alignments of Lampouy, the railway station, its museum and its rail bike with two routes.
This hike follows theGR® 37 and part of thePR® "Circuit des mégalithes" (Megalith Circuit). The southern part of thisPR® has not been included as it is uninteresting and the paths are poorly maintained.

Details

2001122
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.33 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 123 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 125 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 107 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 47 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Médréac (35360)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 48.264714° / W 2.065986°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 1117SB
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at Médréac railway station, which is also the starting point for the two rail bike routes, one 6 km and the other 13 km.

(S/E) Head east on the disused railway line used for the rail bike route and follow it for 1.9 km to PN16 at a place called Le Bois Gérault, at the intersection with a tarmaced local road. Leave the railway line by turning left onto the tarmac road and continue for 180 metres until you reach the D220 (caution: busy road). Turn right

(1). After crossing the bridge and before the first houses on the right, turn left onto a small tarmac road. Immediately uphill, turn left onto a gravel path. A few metres further on, leave this path and turn left onto a sunken path through the woods. Ignore the path below near the Le Néal stream and continue through the woods for 350 metres before turning right to climb up to the gravel path.

(2) Turn right onto the gravel path, then immediately left onto the path that climbs uphill. On the climb, ignore the access to the pond on the left and continue straight ahead until you reach a small asphalt road near some houses. Turn left onto the tarmac road between the storage shed and the sprint cross field; it turns into a gravel path along the edge of cultivated fields.

(3) Leave this path when it turns right to climb between two fields, turn left to descend along the edge of the field until you reach the Ruisseau du Néal 200 metres below, after passing to the left of an electricity pole. Turn right onto the path along the edge of the stream and follow it for over 2 km. Along the way, take a look at the Gabillard cave, located on the right-hand side of the path.

(4) When the path opens onto a vast flat meadow, take the metal footbridge on the left that crosses the Néal and continue along the path on the right to reach the edge of the Étang de Néal. Walk along this pond.

(5) Turn left, then right, then left again before coming out higher up on the D25 road as it curves. Turn left, and 30 metres further on, take the sunken path that climbs up to a tarmac road near some houses. Take this road to the left for 50 metres, turn right onto another tarmac road and follow it until you reach the Lampouy megalithic site.

(6) Enter the site by going through the wooden gates. Walk across this part of the site to reach a sunken lane. Turn left onto it to reach a place called Le Chênot. Make sure you close any electric fence gates behind you.

(7) Continue along the tarmac road leading to Le Chênot, cross another tarmac road, then a second one, to reach the edge of the woods and take the path opposite leading to La Roche Tombelle.

(8) After the house on the left of the path, take a sunken lane that descends into the Néal valley. Follow it until you reach a place called La Ville au Marchand. Turn left onto the tarmac road leading to this hamlet. Follow it to the hamlet of Querrier.

(9) After passing the hamlet and before crossing the bridge over a small stream, turn left onto the path running alongside the last houses. Follow it, ignoring the two paths on the left, to reach a place called Le Bois Gesbert.

(10) After passing the first houses, take the tarmac road on the right leading up to the top of the hamlet. At the last houses, turn left and then right onto the stony path leading up to other isolated houses. Ignore the access to these houses and take the dirt track between the trees. Follow it to reach the D220 (caution: very busy road).

(11) Cross it to descend to a small car park opposite and enter a park on the right that is used as a campsite. Follow the gravel path on the right along a pond, now dry, to reach the campsite changing rooms. Go around them on the left to reach a footpath leading to the village of Médréac.

(12) Turn left onto this path, which runs alongside the cemetery and follows Rue de la Libération until you reach the church.

(13) Go around the church on the left. Opposite the church entrance, take Rue de l'Église and you will come out on Rue de Rennes. Go down this street, then cross it and turn right into Rue de la Gare, climbing up to the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 88 m - Car park at Médréac railway station
  2. 1 : km 2.3 - alt. 66 m - La Basse Gesnuaye D 220
  3. 2 : km 2.79 - alt. 67 m - Crossing the stone path
  4. 3 : km 3.69 - alt. 82 m - Leave the stony path.
  5. 4 : km 6.02 - alt. 47 m - Metal footbridge
  6. 5 : km 6.76 - alt. 50 m - Bifurcation
  7. 6 : km 7.8 - alt. 104 m - Lampouy alignments.
  8. 7 : km 8.3 - alt. 98 m - Le Chênot
  9. 8 : km 9.25 - alt. 87 m - La Roche Tombelle.
  10. 9 : km 10.55 - alt. 81 m - Querrier, path on the left
  11. 10 : km 12.06 - alt. 77 m - The Bois Gesbert.
  12. 11 : km 12.53 - alt. 78 m - Crossing the D220
  13. 12 : km 13.04 - alt. 69 m - Exit the park via the footpath on the left
  14. 13 : km 13.81 - alt. 93 m - Médréac Church.
  15. S/E : km 14.33 - alt. 88 m - Car park at Médréac railway station.

Notes

In the summer season, and for fun, take one of the two rail bike routes!

Worth a visit

Things to see along the route:
- the Néal valley,
- the Gabillard cave,
- the Néal pond,
- the Lampouy alignments
- médréac Church,
- médréac railway station and its museum,
- the rail bike (in season) with two routes (6 and 13 km).

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.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 21 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
User 3913667

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 18, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent and varied ride along quiet country lanes and through woodland, following the river. You can choose not to start the ride at the rail bike station, but instead from the car park near the end of the route. From the car park, head downhill, cross a small meadow and turn right to join the rail bike path. We highly recommend this ride.

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User 8497234

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful route that runs alongside the Neal at times. You can stop for a snack at the megalithic site.
Fairly easy to follow, with clear signposting. Some sections are difficult due to the rain in recent weeks.
I plan to do it again in the summer.

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BOBTHENEW
BOBTHENEW
• Edited:

Thank you, Gege Gerard

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gege gerard
gege gerard

superb walk currently being re-marked - easy route with parish specific to Brittany scenery and standing stones

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Picson06230
Picson06230

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting route, but in very variable condition, particularly in the Néal valley where it disappears under the grass.
At the Lampouy alignments, don't miss the other alignments as you retrace your steps to the "long rock", which has an explanatory sign to the north, then take the path to the west of the normal path, which also has a beautiful alignment. Don't worry, you'll rejoin the normal path a little further on.

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Mamath
Mamath
Le gars Ben
Le gars Ben

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Parts of the route are of varying interest, but there are some lovely views to enjoy. The lack of signposting can cause some confusion, but this is generally compensated for by the helpful explanations in the guidebook.

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farine57
farine57

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A section with tall grass and somewhat difficult passages

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fdouardpleumeleuc35
fdouardpleumeleuc35
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Recommended. Lovely walk. However, be careful of the condition of the small footbridges (3 or 4), which are not only slippery but also very damaged.

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PierreMLS
PierreMLS

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, completed in July 2023
After a wet week, the section between points 4 and 5 is really unpleasant: brambles and nettles cover the path, which is sloping and very slippery. Walking sticks are essential. In these conditions, I recommend not crossing the footbridge at altitude 4 but continuing on the right bank along the path that climbs eastwards and joins the GR37 at altitude 88. From there, return to altitude 5 via the D25 bridge over the Néal. This is longer in distance but probably not in time.
Between points 6 and 7, you really need to take the time to visit the five megalithic sites, including the long stone. They are truly beautiful. The paths connecting them are very well maintained.
Very beautiful section between 9 and 10.

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cauxrando
cauxrando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful, varied and interesting hike. It allows you to discover several features of the region, including market gardening, the seaside and the heritage of the villages. Be sure to visit the church in Montfarville with a small one euro coin in your pocket. You're in for a surprise! Easy and well marked.

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Dom-de-saintu
Dom-de-saintu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike! Be careful, though: bring a cloth to lay on wet wooden walkways to avoid slipping and falling in certain slightly technical areas.
The only slight downside: Personally, after starting directly at No. 1, I ended up cutting across the main road to return to the starting point. The cycle path is certainly interesting, but the several kilometres through Médréac are of no interest whatsoever... So it's up to each person to adapt their route. Otherwise, I highly recommend it.

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Marcheur20A
Marcheur20A
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk on 25 September 2022. However, the section that follows the rail bike path is difficult (and even dangerous, as the sleepers are very slippery when it has rained – from Point D to Point 1). In fact, it is not always possible to walk alongside the railway track.
At point 3, the path heading west is barely visible and disappears into the ferns at the bottom of the field. We had trouble finding it again. After point 3, the markings are sometimes very far apart or missing at junctions. Point 4 is well equipped for taking a break or eating. Between 4 and 5, there are passages reinforced with wood that has aged and does not look very solid. They are also very slippery. Nice crossing of the Lampouy megalithic site.
While section D to 4 is full of uneven terrain and has a very limited horizon (valley floor), it is pleasant along the stream. From 6 onwards, you descend gently towards Médréac on pretty paths with unobstructed views. From 12 to A, there is little of interest: tarmac and town.
A walk to be repeated, with pleasure. We met a total of three people.

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co35490
co35490

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant hike, the Néal Valley is very nice, and the route is well signposted too

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Thibaut L.
Thibaut L.

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The signposting from Médréac station includes a southern section that adds a good hour to the hike. I didn't dare take the shortcut between the start and point 1 because it's the cycle path, which didn't seem suitable for hiking. So I took the southern option, which does have well-marked paths but with tall grass.

At point 3, there is a yellow cross indicating not to turn right (not to go to the hamlet of La Champagne). However, the path on the left is not very well marked. Luckily, a group had passed by shortly before, clearing a path through the tall grass. Especially since I had the IGN map, on which this path is not marked. But on OpenStreetMap, the path is clearly marked.

Once on the path that runs alongside the Néal, it is very pleasant and well maintained. The megaliths are also interesting. My advice for this (long) hike: park at point 5 or 6 and follow this route from point 11 to point 1 (taking care on the road).

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