Megaliths, the seaside and marshes from the Chapelle de la Madeleine

A varied, flat route starting from the beautiful Chapelle de la Madeleine with its modern stained-glass windows, the work of the painter Jean Bazaine, passing by two megalithic sites including the remains of a significant alignment of menhirs. The route continues through the dunes near Porzh Karn Beach, a surfer’s paradise, and returns via the Marias de Lescors, managed by the Conservatoire du Littoral.
Sea and countryside with some wonderful heritage discoveries.

Details

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Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.25 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 43 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 43 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 79 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 13 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Penmarch (29760)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 47.825459° / W 4.322404°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 0519OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Access: From the D785 between Plomeur and Penmarch, the access road to the chapel is signposted on the right when coming from Plomeur. Park near the chapel grounds (around three spaces + a few more nearby).

PR® marked in yellow

(S/E) With your back to the chapel, head eastwards through the hamlet (beautiful thatched cottages on the right) and continue along a wide stony path. Pass a path on the left (megaliths sign) and continue to a cross path. On the left, at the back of a field, you begin to see part of the alignments.

PR® marked in yellow but in the opposite direction
(1) At the signpost, turn right into a cypress-lined lane towards Lestrigiou. Cross a road and arrive at the Lestrigiou Dolmen, which is on the right just after the ‘give way’ sign 75 m ahead.

(2) Retrace your steps to the fork.

PR® marked in yellow

(1) Continue along the path that winds its way between hedges of spindle and blackthorn, with a field on your left and a wetland area on your right. You will come across the first three small menhirs on the right, then continue through a row of fifteen menhirs.

(3) At the crossroads, first turn left then right to continue along the rest of the alignment consisting of twenty more imposing menhirs (information panel). Continue straight on and arrive at a small road after a property.

No signposting

(4) Turn right onto a dirt track, cross a stream and emerge onto a small road. Continue straight ahead, skirting a riding centre, and follow a wide, sandy track suitable for vehicles until you reach a road.

(5) Cross with care and head up into the dune area. Continue straight on, following a track to a crossroads. Ignore the track on the right, which leads to a car park.

GR® 34 Marked White and Red +PR®® Yellow

(6) Opposite Porzh Karn Beach, turn left towards Saint-Guénolé in a south-westerly direction and follow the coastal path over the Toul Gwin Dune. Pass a car park on the left and you’ll come within sight of a small pine grove where you leave theGR®®34.

PR® marked in yellow

(7) Look out for a menhir largely buried in sand, turn left onto a grassy path and pass a car park gate. Continue along a stony track, cross a road and take the dirt track opposite. Follow this path, which turns right then left, skirting the Lescors Marshes. Continue to the D53 bridge.

(8) Without crossing this bridge, head down into the marsh and follow the channel on your right. Via a hairpin bend, cross a road and continue along the channel. Cross another road where, via a right-left bend, you pass to the left of the channel. Continue towards the end of the marsh, pass through a cultivated area and emerge onto a small road.

(9) Turn right for about 100 m, then turn left onto a new path that crosses a road. Continue straight ahead, slightly diagonally, to reach a new footpath.

(10) Turn left onto a wide grassy track to reach a crossroads where you turn right onto a small road (Hent Sant Steven).

(11) Take this road to the right for about a hundred metres, then turn left into a grassy area which also serves as a car park, particularly in summer, and enter the chapel grounds at the wash house and fountain. If the chapel is open, it is well worth a visit (modern stained-glass windows by Jean Bazaine) (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 56 ft - Chapelle de la Madeleine (Penmarch)
  2. 1 : mi 0.5 - alt. 75 ft - Junction on the out-and-back route
  3. 2 : mi 0.62 - alt. 79 ft - Dolmen de Lestrigiou
  4. 3 : mi 1.15 - alt. 62 ft - Crossroads - Alignements de la Madeleine
  5. 4 : mi 1.4 - alt. 52 ft - Road junction
  6. 5 : mi 2.44 - alt. 36 ft - Road crossing
  7. 6 : mi 2.64 - alt. 30 ft - Porzh Karn Beach
  8. 7 : mi 3.33 - alt. 20 ft - Menhir de Toul Gwin
  9. 8 : mi 4.24 - alt. 13 ft - Bridge on the D53
  10. 9 : mi 5.46 - alt. 23 ft - Road junction
  11. 10 : mi 5.95 - alt. 39 ft - Junction
  12. 11 : mi 6.11 - alt. 56 ft - Road (Hent Sant Steven)
  13. S/E : mi 6.25 - alt. 56 ft - Chapelle de la Madeleine (Penmarch)

Notes

NB: In summer 2022, the marsh channel was dry. However, it is a potentially wet area in winter with herds of cattle present.

Picnic table at the Chapelle de la Madeleine.

Route inspired by twoPR®®trails: "Le Marais de Lescors" and "Tour de la Pointe de la Torche"

Worth a visit

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

4.4 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
51alain56
51alain56

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The location: crossing the marshes.

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MarieSwing
MarieSwing

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, easy walk.
In March, we passed by a magnificent field of hyacinths.
The section through the marshes was a bit long and tough because of the wind.

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hydrangéa
hydrangéa

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A lovely, varied and easy route. The only tricky bit is the section through the marshes, which is overgrown with grass and scrub, especially at the start.

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chipie33290
chipie33290

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely circular walk offering a variety of landscapes, from land to sea
Easy, with no significant elevation gain.
Thank you for this route

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