Le Leslay walks

The Bois d'Avaugour and Meur offer a mix of gravel tracks and footpaths. The Tro Vras route follows the western circular loop, featuring beautiful paths through heathland, along the Avaugour (which reveals its beauty in winter, when the vegetation clears) and forest tracks. The transition to the eastern circular loop is challenging (with mud in winter) but offers sections passing by some very beautiful trees. The eastern circular loop, pleasant at the start, is less interesting on the return leg, except for the last three kilometres of descent, initially amongst tree stumps in a fir forest.

A walk almost entirely in the forest with sections along sunken paths. This route leads to a disused quarry that is now a pond (see photo).

Historically dedicated to Marc Faucon (a pioneer of hiking in the Côtes d'Armor), this hike will allow nature lovers to explore the foothills of the Gouët and the wooded hills of the surrounding countryside.

Stretching across 81 hectares, Lake Saint-Barthélémy is flanked by a path that winds through woodland and along the edges of fields. As you wander through this beautiful countryside, imposing structures come into view: the 45-metre-high Gouët Dam and the majestic viaduct of the Paris-Brest railway line. The older village of La Méaugon boasts a wealth of picturesque architecture. The lake also conceals treasures from days gone by. Today, it is a delight for anglers and recreational boaters alike.

One of the most beautiful walks in the department, passing through the Bois des Mauriers and the Chaos du Gouët. A mixed walk, a third on roads, the rest on paths and trails. The route is well signposted in yellow on posts. The route can be tricky after heavy rain. Firstly, there is the charm of the names of the paths and trails indicated on the signs. Then there is the vegetation and its variety, as you cross the departmental forest: the Bois des Mauriers. Finally, there are the Chaos du Gouët, a spectacular pile of rocks on the Rivière du Gouët, which you skirt around.

A walk starting from the small and charming village of La Méaugon, through the woods on wide paths accessible all year round. You will have a constant view of the Gouet reservoir with viewpoints offering multiple photo opportunities.

You won’t see any charcoal burners. However, as you enjoy this gentle walk, which can be done in any season, you’ll be able to imagine their lives in this forest of majestic trees. There’s no need to worry about getting lost – the route is clearly signposted.

A relaxing walk around the dam lake. The path along the banks is beautifully maintained. The artificial reservoir was created by building a dam at the end of the 19th century to supply the Canal de Nantes à Brest during periods of water shortage. A gauge shows that the water level at the dam can reach 14 metres.

This circular route around the village of Trémuson will first take you along the outskirts of the village via major tarmac roads, then dirt tracks and forest paths will guide you alongside streams and the Gouët, eventually leading you higher up to the site of the old mines.

Just a stone’s throw from Guingamp, explore the south-western countryside of Ploumagoar, starting from Saint-Hernin. From wild valleys to country lanes, make your way to the right bank of the Trieux, where the river is still somewhat torrential, then visit the Kerlosquer Viaduct, which bears a passing resemblance to the ‘Bridge on the River Kwai’. Then enjoy the centre of Saint-Hernin with its beautifully restored heritage.You’ll have no trouble at all on this route, which combines all sorts of paths and offers you, by turns, lovely shelter beneath the canopy of trees and completely unobstructed views of the surrounding countryside.

Set off to explore Saint-Brieuc, where nature and heritage intertwine to offer an unusual tour of the town. This walk invites you to explore different facets of the town – its harbour and its upmarket neighbourhoods – before immersing yourself in its lush green valleys. Combining a rich heritage with the tranquillity of the natural landscape, this route reveals all the diversity and beauty of Saint-Brieuc! Alternative route via Villa Rohannec’h Park.

This easy circular trail runs around Ploumagoar, winding through the countryside and valleys of small streams, the pretty Bois de Kergré with its contemporary statues and its well-maintained path, ideal for strolling and relaxing. Between these two natural areas, a few more "urban" paths will take you to Sait-Hernin with its picnic area located next to the spring, the wash house and the recently renovated bread oven.

Just a stone’s throw from the Goëlo coast, this walk through time will introduce you to a rich and varied heritage. As you make your way through woods along narrow, winding and sometimes damp paths, you’ll learn about the history of the watercourses that have always been so important to the local people. This route, which is circular in nature and covers the north and south of the town, will take you from the 15th-century Chapel of Notre-Dame de la Cour to Saint-Oswald’s Church, on to the ponds, and then to the Sentier des Trois Fontaines.

Forest paths, often damp; intriguing and mysterious woodland that surely conceals ancient tales; secluded meadows; a fountain. This is a walk in the heart of nature that passes very close to the site of the old Cour, which has not yet revealed all its secrets, and a little further on, ‘la Maison de la Terre’, an educational centre dedicated to environmental protection. The completely flat and very accessible route will take you to the Chapel of Pabu in the neighbouring commune of Tréguidel and back via the Bois de la Salle, ending at the Chapel of Notre-Dame-de-la-Cour.

Starting from the Notre-Dame-de-l'Isle Chapel, walk through the countryside towards Leff. A relatively easy walk which, as you pass through woodland and along rivers and streams, will allow you to discover the typical Breton countryside.

Set apart from the main roads, the village centre and its church, the chapel and its shops, lies the ‘village’ of Trévenais, which is home to nearly half of Lantic’s population. This route invites you to walk around it, without actually entering the centre. Featuring a few steep ascents and descents, narrow and winding paths, wooded sunken lanes and local tracks, this circular route will introduce you to the legend of the Chaise menhir, the history of the Fontaine aux Moines and the origins of the village’s ponds. A lovely circular route that partly overlooks the meandering course of the River Ic in the heart of the Lantic countryside.

This walk starts in the town of Guingamp and leads to the Kerhé mill, which has now been converted into a campsite. Most of the route is covered by dirt tracks situated equally between the parishes of Plouisy and Pabu. This route includes sections that are very muddy in winter and spring. Best undertaken between May and October to enjoy it to the full.

This circular route straddles the municipalities of Plérin and Pordic. The route follows the coastal path between Tournemine Beach and Pointe de Bréhin, offering beautiful views of Rosaires Beach and the port of Binic. The return journey is inland, mainly through valley bottoms.

A circular route starting from Pabu, the majority of which is within the municipality of Saint-Agathon. It has been accredited by the French Hiking Federation.

A walking route that runs partly alongside the Trieux and offers views of two old mills once used for flax scutching. This route, of which I am one of the authors, was created by the municipality of Pabu and accredited by the French Hiking Federation. Trail marked in yellow.

On one side, a coastline of steep cliffs forming numerous headlands, at the foot of which lie pebble beaches such as Le Petit Havre; on the other, peaceful countryside traversed by a long, green valley and fields – the Tour du Coucou thus follows in the footsteps of the fishermen of yesteryear. Its very name evokes them, as the ‘Coucou’ refers to the greeting that women used to give to sailors from the top of the cliff. As you pass the ruins and monuments that dot the route, the maritime history of Brittany unfolds.

The Ic is a small river, 17 km long, which flows into the English Channel at Binic. After a short climb up the cliffs at the harbour exit, you reach a tributary of the Ic at Lantic, and rejoin the river at Notre-Dame de La Cour, from where it takes you back to Binic. Along the way, you’ll discover two tourist attractions: the Lantic Adventure Park and Trégomeur Zoo. This route takes you through the hinterland of South Goëlo.

In the footsteps of the Toileux: 19th-century linen manufacturers; a journey back in time with the Cromlec'h de Lorette (an ancient covered burial passage) ending with the Rigole d'Hilvern: a man-made stream dug to feed the Nantes-Brest Canal - a little-known aspect of Brittany.