An easy hike in the commune of Préfailles, to Pointe St-Gildas, which juts out in the waves.
Calculated time: 2h10[?] 
Distance : 7.3km
Vertical gain : 21m
Vertical drop : 21m
Highest point : 26m
Lowest point : 0m 
Difficulty : Easy
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Location : Préfailles
(44770)
Starting point : N 47.127927° / W 2.220767° Arriving in Préfailles, follow the signs leading to the city centre. There are several car parks near the main beach and its chapel.
Walk along the beach to the right and follow the coastal path to Pointe St-Gildas where you will come across the semaphore, a viewpoint, and several bunkers from the last world war. Along this path your will see Bourgneuf Bay to the south.
At the Anse du Boucau turn left (1) on the trail and pass by the road that goes straight to Haut des Vignes.
Continue your journey along the coast to La Prée. The place provides beautiful view of the bay of the same name, as well as the Loire estuary, the city and the bridge of St-Nazaire.
From the car park (2) in front of the panoramic restaurant in the Bay de la Prée, follow the right Rue de l’Ilot right and then (3) the path of Prée still to the right. Continue straight along a grassy path to the intersection with the D213. (4) Cross and turn left.
At the end of this road, you will find the resort of Préfailles. Turn right on (5) Rue du Bois Roux, then left on (6) Rue Ste-Anne.
Take the second right (7) on Rue du Docteur Guépin, and reach Route de la Pointe Saint Gildas. Turn left. Once on the avenue you will reach the church and return to your vehicle.
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 10m
1 : km 3.12 - alt. 2m
2 : km 4.69 - alt. 2m
3 : km 4.83 - alt. 5m
4 : km 5.8 - alt. 16m
5 : km 6.26 - alt. 26m
6 : km 6.61 - alt. 20m
7 : km 6.75 - alt. 22m
D/A : km 7.3 - alt. 10m
Follow the yellow signs.
You can swim in several places at the small beaches interrupting the rocky coast.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
The semaphore overlooking Pointe St-Gildas dates back to the 19th century. It features a museum of local maritime history and coastal surveillance techniques.
Near Préfailles lies the cities of Pornic and Saint-Nazaire. The town of Préfailles has many attractions: a small seaside city, a unique perspective on the Bourgneuf Bay and the estuary of the Loire, very pleasant promenade paths, small beaches stringing along a rugged coastline. Many World War II bunkers were built in Pointe Saint-Gildas.
The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
