The two valleys and the salt marshes

Throughout this route, there are superb views of Mont-Saint-Michel and the polders.
But you will discover no less than three different landscapes: the ecologically rich site of the two valleys, the market gardening area of the polders and the infinite space of the salt marshes.

Details

3136383
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 16.50 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 82 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 82 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 94 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Car park at Saint-Broladre church.

Red and white markings forthe GR®®34

(S/E) Head south, turning left onto Impasse des Tourelles. Follow the grassy path that runs alongside the Riscopp stream (1st valley). Cross it twice, turn right onto the log staircase and cross the stream twice at the bridge. At Moulin du Haut, take the road on the left. Cross the small, typical hamlet of Les Muriaux.

(1) Cross the D87 straight ahead and continue for about 250 m.

Yellow markings

TheGR®® continues straight ahead. Turn right towards Gandebert. After the hamlet on your right, continue straight ahead on the gravel path, then, at the bend, continue along the dirt track.
Follow the road on the left to pass in front of the Chappe Telegraph and the museum.

(2) Continue left on the road to pass in front of the Chappe Telegraph and the museum. After the houses at Bosse Besnard, turn right onto the gravel road. Turn left after about 300 m. Enter Saint-Marcan. Ignore thefirst street on the left and take the next one on the left. After 70 m, follow the pedestrian path on the right that passes between two houses and leads to Rue du Bourg.

(3) Turn right, then quickly turn left to pass behind the church. Continue along a path on the left. Descend the second valley and arrive at Les Vaubrays. Continue on the left and arrive at the D797.

(4) Cross and continue straight ahead to enter the polder area. After the last houses, follow the wooded lane on the right. Continue for about 100 metres on the left on the road and turn right at the first crossroads.

(5) Before the road junction, turn left onto a grassy path which, after a left-hand bend, ends at a road. Follow it to the right, heading north, until you reach the junction with the Greenway, which is also the Duchesse-Anne dyke.

(6) Continue straight ahead. At the T-junction, turn left and then, after 200 metres, turn right to reach the seafront dyke.

Red and white markings for a variant ofthe GR®®34

(7) Turn left between the grasslands and polders to reach the Sainte-Anne Chapel.

(8) At the chapel, turn left to follow the Greenway, which joins the Duchesse Anne dyke. Leave the Sainte-Anne polder with its horse track on your left and continue to the Colombel polder.

Yellow markings

(9) Turn right and head towards the Pont de Colombel bridge. Walk along the right bank of the leat. At the road, turn right, then left after 150 metres.

(10) Cross the Petit Bridge and follow the departmental road to the right for 250 m. Turn into thesecond street on the left to return to the church car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 12 m - Church car park
  2. 1 : km 1.33 - alt. 61 m - Les Muriaux - straight ahead
  3. 2 : km 3.35 - alt. 93 m - Chappe's Telegraph
  4. 3 : km 4.59 - alt. 48 m - Saint-Marcan - street on the right
  5. 4 : km 5.06 - alt. 10 m - Les Vaubrays - straight ahead
  6. 5 : km 5.98 - alt. 6 m - Grassy path on the left - Canal de la Banche (canal) - Affluent du Canal des Planches
  7. 6 : km 7.52 - alt. 10 m - Crossing with the Duchesse Anne dyke
  8. 7 : km 8.66 - alt. 9 m - Seafront dyke - on the left
  9. 8 : km 10.79 - alt. 9 m - Chapelle Saint-Anne (Saint-Broladre)
  10. 9 : km 12.84 - alt. 9 m - Colombel polder - on the right
  11. 10 : km 15.9 - alt. 4 m - Bridge over the - Banche (cours d'eau) - Affluent du Guyoult
  12. S/E : km 16.5 - alt. 12 m - Church car park

Notes

Warning: the second part of the route, from (5) onwards, is a series of roads and paths with no shade except for the Duchesse Anne dyke between (8) and (9). So be sure to wear a hat and bring something to drink when the sun is strong.

The Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel has the largest tidal range in Europe (the difference in water height measured between consecutive high and low tide levels): at spring tides, it reaches 15 metres, equivalent to a five-storey building. Given the flatness of the terrain, it is easy to understand why people say that the sea advances at the speed of a galloping horse.

Polders and salt marshes: salt marshes are natural meadows covered by the sea at spring tides, where the famous salt marsh lambs graze. Conversely, a polder is an area reclaimed from the sea by the creation of dykes and canals.

Worth a visit

St Anne's Chapel: the chapel dates back to the 11th century, when construction of the Duchesse Anne dyke also began. The chapel was destroyed by flooding in 1630 and rebuilt in 1684.

The Duchesse Anne dyke: this 36 km man-made structure protects the Dol marshes from the sea. The date of its construction is unclear, but it was probably built in the 11th or 12th century on the initiative of the Dukes of Brittany. At that time, there were small coastal ridges formed by numerous shell banks parallel to the coast between Saint-Méloir and the rock of Saint-Broladre (where the Sainte-Anne Chapel was later built).

Between (8) and (9), the route follows the Duchesse Anne dyke, which at this point separates the maritime landscape (the salt marshes) on the left from the agricultural landscape (the polders) on the right.

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 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Randotorpi
Randotorpi

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This hike is enjoyable, especially the route through the two valleys.
Problem encountered in St Marcan. Part 3 of the description is no longer possible. The route has been diverted onto the road. It's a shame that you no longer pass by the church, as you have to turn left immediately and stay on the road to reach Vaubrays, which is dangerous for pedestrians. Behind the church, there are houses under construction on the route, which is no longer accessible. Is this temporary or not?
The discovery of St Anne's Chapel is well worth the effort after many kilometres in the open.

The return journey is more straightforward.
However, we recommend this relatively easy hike.

Machine-translated

xboisard
xboisard

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pretty route with varied landscapes. The start of the hike, up to the telegraph, is shaded, but then you reach the polders, so bring your hats. When you arrive at the polders, you can see Mont Saint-Michel. The walk along the Ste Anne dyke is lovely, with flocks of sheep and the sea in the distance. The site of La Chapelle Ste Anne is pretty. The return to the starting point is a bit monotonous as there are many small roads (no cars). A walk to be recommended. The route on Visorando is clear.

Machine-translated

imberti a
imberti a

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice route, well marked and well described by Visorando.
Thank you for your dedication.

Machine-translated

louis35
louis35
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The first part of the route to St Marcan is very pleasant, with a charming valley and a well-shaded climb. The telegraph is an attraction with its small museum. We were unable to follow the trail due to construction work in the village and had to take the road for a few hundred metres. After that, the route is a little more monotonous until you reach the chapel, but there are superb views of the mountain. The interior is cool and well-exposed. It is possible to shorten the route. There is a restaurant and bar in the village at the end. Timing includes breaks.

Machine-translated

FabJorando
FabJorando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk, with varied landscapes and beautiful views of the bay. Although not difficult, be sure to wear sturdy shoes, as some sections can be a little muddy. If it is hot, bring water and a hat, as part of the route is not shaded. The route and description are precise, so it is impossible to get lost.

Machine-translated

slabo
slabo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Route taken on Wednesday 17 March (8 people) with the family, outside of school holidays. We stayed in one of the Martinerie lodges in CUREY (a beautiful location for exploring the bay). Sunny but breezy, no more than 10°C. If we were to return to the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, we would do this route again. We
took a different route on the way back. We had a snack at the tip. Beautiful photos taken with the Mont.

Machine-translated

familleletreut
familleletreut

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, accessible without too much difficulty, through woods, countryside and polders, with magnificent views of Mont St Michel Bay. Definitely worth doing again, with reliable estimated walking times.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.