The harbour of Geffoses and the dunes of Pirou

Departure from the car park of the bird observatory, at the corner of the D650 and the access road to La Morinière, between Anneville-sur-Mer and Pirou Plage.

No signposts

(S/E) Go to the end of the car park and head south on a grassy path between a stream on the left and the D650 on the right.

(1) At the end, take a footbridge on the left to cross a river, pass through a short wet area and you will quickly reach the first bird observatory. Continue east on a grassy path and pass two other observatories. Cross a small bridge to cross another river.

(2) On the other side, turn right onto a smaller grassy path. Walk south between a hedge on your left and fenced meadows on your right. You will reach a crossroads with abandoned buildings on your left.

(3) Then turn right and continue along a grassy path. Ignore a vague path on the left and continue south until you reach a small car park on the right. First turn right then left to quickly reach another bird observatory.

(4) Retrace your steps to the small car park, then turn left (north) until you reach the junction with the abandoned buildings.

(3) Turn right onto a small road. At the end, follow the D72 to the left, ignore another road on the right and you will soon reach another intersection.

Red and yellow markings

(5) Turn left onto a farm track and ignore a path on the left further on. At the next junction, go straight ahead onto a small road and follow a farm building on your left.

(6) At the corner of the last building, first turn left then right to take a shaded path closed to motor vehicles. Cross a stream on a footbridge and continue along a shaded path. You will come out onto a small road; follow it to the right for about 100 metres.

Red and yellow + yellowmarkings

(7) When the road turns right, turn left onto a farm track. Further on, join another track and follow it to the right. Immediately turn left onto this track. At the next crossroads (La Carbonnellerie), continue along a small road. When this turns left, continue straight ahead on an even smaller road.

(8) You will come to a road perpendicular to this one. Follow it to the right and immediately, at the corner of No. 10, turn left and pass between two houses. After these, continue along a path. Further on, when you come to a gap in a hedge, note the Château de Pirou on your right. Continue straight ahead on the grassy, shaded path, which soon turns left.

(9) At the next intersection, turn right onto a path lined with hedges.

Red and white markings

(10) You will come to a small road. Follow it to the left with the GR®223 and cross the hamlet of La Piloterie. Continue straight ahead until you reach the D650.

(11) Cross the road carefully (there is no pedestrian crossing here) and continue straight ahead, leaving a motorhome parking area on your right. Continue along Rue des Hublots. Go around the roundabout on the left and continue along Rue des Hublots. Go straight ahead until you reach a crossroads. Then take the second right, Rue des Cigognes. Continue straight ahead and, at the end, go down some steps to reach the seafront.

(12) Keep left, heading south, along the paved road along the seafront.

(13) After about 500 m, turn left and walk along a car park on your left. After about 30 metres, turn right and walk between a large campsite on your left and a bar on your right. After about 50 metres, at a fork, turn right and take the dune path.

(14) Follow this path, winding its way southwards, keeping an eye out for the signposts along the way. Further on, walk along a fenced-in meadow on your left. Go through a wooden gate, cross a small car park and pass under a metal archway.

(15) Cross a small road and take the path opposite, which immediately turns right. Soon head south and walk along a sandy path below a dune on your right.

No signposts

(16) At a fork, turn left (leaving the GR® trail to the right towards the dune). Go through a wooden gate and continue straight ahead (east) on a track. Cross the D650 again, taking the same precautions as before (there is no protected crossing either), and you will immediately find the car park where you started on your right (S/E).

In dry weather, good sports shoes are suitable for this route. In summer and in good weather, bring suitable sun protection.

No drinking water available along the route. Bars and restaurants in Pirou-Plage, off the route north of the section between (11) and (12), as well as near (13).

A detailed map is required (at least the one accompanying this description).

Check tide times and coefficients.

Hike completed by the author on 10 August 2025.

- Havre de Geffosses nature reserve and bird observatories.
- Pleasant shaded paths between (6) and (10).
- Seaside and dunes between (12) and (16).