The Vilaine and the countryside around Arzal

During this hike, discover a variety of landscapes: the river, the ocean and the countryside.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 17.29 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 137 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 140 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 48 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Arzal (56190)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 47.502184° / W 2.38246°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 1021E, 1021SB, 1022OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Description of the walk

The departure point is on the right bank of the Vilaine, at the bottom of the village of Arzal, near a place called "Vieille Roche". Please note: there is another "Vieille Roche" on the other bank!

(S/E) Head north-west, following the red and white markings ofthe GR® 39. At Vieille Roche, climb to the right alongside the old houses.

(1) At the top of the hill, turn left; the path enters the woods and opens onto a small bridge. Continue on the left through the reeds, then the gorse.

(2) Turn right towards Coscat; leave the village of Coscat and turn left onto the road.

(3) Very quickly, turn right towards Trénué. The path passes between the houses; continue straight ahead towards the north. After a few hundred metres, take the path on the left, then turn right to rejoin the road.

(4) Follow the first road on the left; at the first bend, continue straight ahead on the path opposite. The path branches off to the left.

(5) As you approach the village of Kermoizan, turn right without reaching the farm. At the end of the path, first turn left then right very quickly. Turn right onto the road for a few metres and continue on the path that branches off to the left.

(6) Turn right and pass through Kerboyant; the path continues until it meets a wide trail.

(7) Turn left and head south; you will pass very close to two wind turbines. At the next fork, turn right towards Kérantréh. At the edge of the path, a sign indicates "borne de l'abbaye de prières" (abbey prayer marker).

(8) In the middle of the houses in Kerantré, turn left; you will find yourself on a pretty path and very quickly discover a panoramic view of the mouth of the Vilaine and the ocean. Continue along the path until you reach the crossroads with the road. Turn right for about 20 metres, then turn left; the path is narrow and joins theGR® 39 at Pointe du Moustoir.

(9) Facing the Vilaine, you will see the bell tower of Pénestin on your right and the village of Tréhiguier directly opposite; on the river, you will see the shellfish farmers' barges. Turn left and follow the signs forthe GR® 39.

(10) Turn left and climb the hill on the road; pass the village of Kerdavid and continue on the road; theGR® is clearly marked on the right. Walk along a small path until you reach a road.

(11) Be careful to take the small path opposite and not the main road that leads into the fields! You will soon reach the junction you took on the way there.

(2) Head straight ahead and finish by following the same route as on the way there to reach Arzal (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 8 m - Lower part of the village of Arzal, right bank of the Vilaine - Vilaine (fleuve)
  2. 1 : km 0.85 - alt. 19 m - On the left at the top of the hill
  3. 2 : km 1.84 - alt. 14 m - Common fork in the road on the way there and back
  4. 3 : km 2.66 - alt. 40 m - Clos de Trénué
  5. 4 : km 4.04 - alt. 48 m - Yellow markings Bastien Chapel
  6. 5 : km 5.28 - alt. 25 m - On the right before Kermoizan
  7. 6 : km 7.34 - alt. 18 m - On the right, pass through the farm.
  8. 7 : km 8.19 - alt. 20 m - To the left towards the wind turbines
  9. 8 : km 9.41 - alt. 24 m - Kérantréh; panoramic view
  10. 9 : km 10.32 - alt. 4 m - View: Pénestin, Tréhiguier, shellfish farmers
  11. 10 : km 12.96 - alt. 13 m - To the left towards Kerdavid
  12. 11 : km 14.74 - alt. 28 m - Crossing a road
  13. S/E : km 17.29 - alt. 8 m - Lower part of the village of Arzal, right bank of the Vilaine

Notes

Picnic tables at Pointe du Moustoir, allowing you to take a break facing the river.

Worth a visit

The Arzal dam: built in the late 1960s, it helps to combat natural hazards by stopping the tide; upstream, a marina has been created; to leave, boats pass through the lock.

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

4.8 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Florence Stumm
Florence Stumm

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route combining countryside and the banks of the
Vilaine.

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pierjac4477
pierjac4477

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We really enjoyed this hike. Varied landscapes, passing through villages and beautiful views of the Vilaine. At this time of year, the trails were generally dry, but some may be difficult to walk on during rainy periods.

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aleth1960
aleth1960
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike that starts along paths through fields and meadows, passing through a few small villages and along some roads, and ends along the Vilaine River.
It's a shame that the paths aren't maintained, as there are lots of scratchy brambles.
Despite this, we enjoyed the 18 km we covered.

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phbizet
phbizet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route alternating between countryside and the banks of the Vilaine; muddy in the countryside section and busier along the river. Beautiful houses at the start, an educational trail and a magnificent path offering panoramic views of the Vilaine, redolent of the Chouannerie, add to the interest of the route.

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mongégé44
mongégé44

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Well done on this magnificent hike.
The Vilaine is magnificent.

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