The banks of the Vilaine

A very pretty route which starts in the countryside and forest and then follows the course of the Vilaine river.
The start and finish are at the very pretty port of La Roche-Bernard.

Technical sheet

39421
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 18.22 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 187 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 187 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 43 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Depart from the car park at the port of La Roche Bernard (caution in summer: risk of crowds). Follow the yellow markings.

(S/E) Take the D774 on the right at the end of the car park. Take the road downhill on the left (Rue des Chênes). At the intersection, turn left.

(1) At a small square (rubbish bins), take the path on the right. When you reach the road, turn right for a few metres, then take the path on the left. At the crossroads, turn left. When you reach the road (D34), follow it on the right and at the three-way junction, turn right.

(2) At the intersection, at a stone cross, turn right, pass the Kerraudrain sign, then turn onto the path on the left (yellow markings). Take the road on the left. At the bottom of the descent, take the path on the left, then left again immediately afterwards (Circuit des Bords de la Vilaine). At the end of the path, take the road on the right, then the path on the left immediately afterwards.

(3) At the intersection, turn left. When you reach the road (D34), turn right, then take the path on the left at the Croix Daniel. Turn onto the path on the right. At the crossroads with another path, turn right.

(4) When you reach the road, turn slightly right. At the intersection, turn right, then left, left again and right. On the road, continue to the right.

(5) Pass to the left of the beautiful Croix du Grand Moulin de Trégut (very original) and take the first path on the left (yellow markings). At the intersection just after, continue straight ahead, ignoring the path on the right. At Keralet, take the road on the left, just behind the bread oven. Ignore the road on the left that leads to Kerverte.

(6) At the next intersection with two roads, take the road on the right (towards Kerlégan) for a few metres, then turn onto the path on the right, following the yellow markings and the red and white markings ofthe GR®39. At the intersection with a path, continue straight ahead, leaving the GR®. On the road, turn right to cross Kerbalan.

(7) In the left-hand bend, at a tiny bread oven and bus shelter, continue straight ahead on the path and, at the fork just after, keep left. You will reach a road in Trémorel, near some old stone houses. Turn right at the fork just after, continue on the road to the left (wooden sign "la Vilaine", to the right it goes to a farm), pass a post with yellow markings, and continue straight ahead. Just after, continue on the path that extends the road. About 50 metres before reaching the Vilaine, turn right along a copse and follow the red and whiteGR® markings until the end (you can also go to the river and turn right, which will take you to the same path).

(8) Go around the lake, created by the confluence of a stream that you cross shortly afterwards, to reach a path.Follow it to the right, ignore a path on the right and continue on the path that turns right, ignoring the path that goes straight ahead. Further up, you will come to a road; take it to the left. At the crossroads, continue straight ahead to reach the entrance to the water treatment plant.

(9) Take the path on the right. Further on, steps lead down to the banks of the Vilaine. Continue to the right. The path moves away from the river but, at the crossroads, turn left to get closer to it again. After a right turn, ignore a path on the left. Shortly afterwards, the path turns left and arrives at the houses of Le Cossois.

(10) Follow the road to the right (yellow markings andGR® on a post), then take the first street on the left. At the crossroads of several roads (yellow signs and markings), turn left (still on theGR®), then continue on the path that extends the street. Further on, ignore the path that descends towards the Vilaine. Then ignore all the paths on the right to continue along the river, higher up, to Stéry (yellow signs,GR®).

(11) Follow the road to the left and, opposite the gate of a property, continue along the path to the right. At the next hamlet, Le Kernélo, continue straight ahead at the two intersections (GR® markings on the electricity poles). At the crossroads (end of Chemin de la Garenne), turn left, then right at the next fork (GR®).

(12) Turn right at Étier du Ran-Coët, cross the stream via a wooden footbridge in a marshy area, and continue up the winding path through the undergrowth. At a fork, keep left. You will come to a path; follow it to the left to reach Rosquet (wooden post, yellow andGR® markings). Follow the road to the left, ignore a road on the right, then, just after a grey gate,

(13) turn onto the path on the left (post with yellow andGR® markings). At the intersection with a path coming from the fields (1flood variant, see practical information), turn left to descend towards the Vilaine. Follow the river as closely as possible (caution: impassable in winter despite the wooden footbridges). Turn right to follow the port of La Roche-Bernard and arrive at the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 5 m - Port car park
  2. 1 : km 0.91 - alt. 36 m - Path on the right
  3. 2 : km 2.7 - alt. 33 m - Road on the right, then path on the left
  4. 3 : km 4.22 - alt. 28 m - Path on the left
  5. 4 : km 5.87 - alt. 38 m - Opposite on the right
  6. 5 : km 6.8 - alt. 43 m - To the left of the cross
  7. 6 : km 7.72 - alt. 25 m - Road on the right, then path on the right
  8. 7 : km 8.91 - alt. 20 m - Straight path
  9. 8 : km 10.22 - alt. 3 m - Water - Vilaine (fleuve)
  10. 9 : km 11.29 - alt. 31 m - Path to the right of the factory
  11. 10 : km 12.6 - alt. 34 m - Road on the right
  12. 11 : km 14.1 - alt. 23 m - Road on the left
  13. 12 : km 15.46 - alt. 7 m - Path on the right
  14. 13 : km 16.91 - alt. 39 m - Path on the left
  15. S/E : km 18.21 - alt. 5 m - Port car park

Practical information

BEWARE! In winter, the last section of the circuit, along the Vilaine and around the port, is very often impassable because the path is flooded (despite the footbridges that have been installed). During this season, I recommend doing this hike in the opposite direction so that you can immediately assess the condition of the path, or, at the start, make sure that the area around the port is passable, or choose the flood option:

1: Turn right, then follow the road to the left and turn left at each crossroads, but this is a slightly longer route.

You will pass through numerous villages and hamlets.
No special equipment required, just good walking shoes.

In the nearby area

Discover numerous bread ovens.
Very beautiful views of La Vilaine.

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 27 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
User 12568293

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Nil

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Jfrmdr
Jfrmdr

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

At times, the route runs along the departmental road, which could have been avoided.

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Peter 35
Peter 35

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Nice walk. Easy to follow on the map but much more difficult to follow with the explanations, which are unclear and a bit muddled at times.

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Royalex
Royalex

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We did the hike on a cycle touring race day, so there were several sections with quite a few bikes, but it wasn't a problem at all. We just had to be a bit more careful with our dog.
However, the walk is varied, pretty and not technically difficult.
An excellent route for a lovely day out!

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mikelitos
mikelitos

Hello Stevant Michel,
Could you tell me more about what led you to give it a 'Fair' and 'Disappointing' rating?
This same tour has generally been rated as "Very good" so far.
Thank you to the moderator for tempering the application of these ratings while awaiting further information.
Kind regards

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stevant michel
stevant michel

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

the signage needs to be reviewed, as do the descriptions, right from the start

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JL54
JL54

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

This route is very well marked.
Most of it takes place in the countryside... and when the trail approaches the river, it is from a distance... only the last 300 metres are along the riverbank... so the name of this hike is misleading.

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phbizet
phbizet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant route with varied landscapes, slightly busier along the Vilaine. A relatively dry path – pure joy!

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tribu emcf
tribu emcf

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

No worries about following this route
There are a few stretches on roads, but these are quickly forgotten as you travel along paths through the countryside and woods, ending up on the banks of the Vilaine.

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motoveve
motoveve

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 22, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

An ideal route for avoiding all kinds of roads, mainly along paths and woods bordering the Vilaine river, offering peace and quiet.

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mikelitos
mikelitos

Hello Farne,
In the description, I say: "The route initially takes you through the countryside and forest, then follows the course of the Vilaine."
I think it is clearly stated that part of the route is not along the banks of the Vilaine. However, most of the return journey is along the Vilaine.
Kind regards

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FARNE
FARNE

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Busy trail : No

Sporadic views of the Vilaine

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Roland-F
Roland-F

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 10, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A pleasant "opening" hike, as it took place on the day that strict lockdown measures were eased in the "green" departments. This hike is truly enjoyable, as the environment is varied, ranging from the port area of this pretty "town of character" to cultivated fields, hamlets with bread ovens, forests, and the banks of the Vilaine River, which we follow on the way back with short stretches through the woods. There are a few sections on secondary roads, but not too many.
Note that there is an alternative route at point 8. You can continue straight on until you reach the water treatment plant, then walk alongside it following the fence. This allows you to read the educational information panels that line this path.
Thank you, Mikelitos, for this highly recommended and very well-described route.

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philrandovilaine
philrandovilaine

This is not about criticising something that does not need to be criticised. I am particularly familiar with the paths that are used, as I live in the area and it is my favourite place to exercise, and I must say that on several occasions I have encountered a lack of clarity in the directions given, or even a potential error (point 11: after Kernélo, at the crossroads, turn left and then right at the next fork).
It is true that the route is long, and that we cannot dwell on overly long directions. However, these seem to me to be minimal. You can also simply follow the map, and in that case, no complaints, the route is well marked.
As for the change to the route, it has only one purpose: to make the circuit more attractive and less dangerous.
For the record, the route I have described did not exist when the yellow "Les Buttes de Vilaine" route was mapped out, which your own route partially includes. We took advantage of the development of this area to avoid passing through the RD 774.
I hope that my contribution will help to improve your loop and thus respond to some of the comments made by other users.
I look forward to seeing you on the paths of Férel, or elsewhere.
Phil RV

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mikelitos
mikelitos

Hello Philrandovilaine,
I see that you have rated the reliability of the description as average. I don't understand this comment, because what you are criticising is the route I have indicated rather than the reliability of the map.

Thank you for the rest of your comment

Mikelitos

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