Sains walks

A short, peaceful walk starting from Sains. The route passes through wooded areas, including a charming section at the start. There are usually many water birds at the Étang du Pas Gérault, especially in autumn.

A short, peaceful walk starting from Sains. The route passes through wooded areas, including a charming section at the start. There are usually many water birds at the Pas Gérault pond, especially in autumn. This walk takes you along the Oak Trail, with its many remarkable trees, including the Oak of Liberty.

From Étang du Pas Gérault, take the paths and trails on the plateau, then on the Claye plain. The trail takes you through the somewhat wild Guyoult before following a circular route back to the plain and the lake. This area is rich in wildlife, with numerous egrets and cattle egrets, and sometimes grey herons. Game is often seen here, but it is very shy.

Enjoy a peaceful stroll through the polders and return via the plateau that marks the end of the old coastline. In principle, you can enjoy a breath of fresh air. The route presents only one small difficulty, namely the coast between Chanel and Haut Chanel, with a difference in altitude of 15 m to 75 m. The reward in season is cherries!

A leisurely stroll through the polders, returning via the plateau overlooking the former coastline. A short stretch along the Couesnon river continues towards the Greenway, offering a fine view of Mont-Saint-Michel. In principle, you’ll get a good breath of fresh air. The route presents only one minor challenge: the hill between Chanel and Haut Chanel, with an elevation gain of 15 to 75 metres. The reward in season is cherries or chestnuts!

A circular route offering a variety of views of Mont-Saint-Michel. From the viewing points on the hills overlooking the bay, the paths along the polder dykes or the edges of the salt marshes and canals, this architectural marvel is always in view.

Roz-sur-Couesnon consists, as its name suggests, of an upper part (roz = hill in Breton) where the village is located, and a lower part made up of former marshes, polders and salt marshes, where the Couesnon river once flowed. This unique feature gives the town an exceptional view of the bay and Mont Saint-Michel, as well as a wide variety of landscapes, which the route proposed here seeks to highlight.

This route allows you to discover a whole range of small architectural heritage sites: guardhouses, typical houses, a wash house and a church. But of course, as everywhere else in the area, the star attraction is Mont-Saint-Michel, which visitors can see in the background throughout their journey.

The route follows the granite massif of the former coastline. You will walk along ancient paths, some of which are carved into the granite. The bocage landscape consists of sunken lanes, small meadows and fields surrounded by hedges. You will discover some beautiful views of the Bay of Mont-St-Michel, but the mount itself remains out of sight, hidden by a protruding plateau.

This walk takes you along the Couesnon between the dam and Anse de Moidrey, allowing you to see the polders on the Brittany side and also the fairly abundant wildlife, particularly birds.A bit of history: formerly known as Lerra Fluvius, the Couesnon rises in the commune of Saint-Pierre-des-Landes in Mayenne, at the Fontaine de Couesnette, 200 metres above sea level. The Couesnon was channelled in 1867, allowing boats to sail up the river as far as the port of Pontorson. The first dam, built in 1969, was intended to stop the tide from flowing back into the riverbed, which, during high tidal ranges, caused flooding. It was demolished in 2008 and replaced by the Couesnon Dam as part of the project to restore the maritime character of Mont-Saint-Michel.

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.

It comprises 175 hectares of extensive wet meadows, encompassing three main activities (see practical information). This route invites you to explore this environment, starting at the fish pass and then following the course of the Couesnon as closely as possible. In this regional nature reserve, only birdsong can be heard.

Set off to explore the local bocage landscape, with its meadows enclosed by embankments, fences or stone walls.

The Villecartier National Forest is known for its leisure centre, miniature harbour and hiking trails. The forest, formerly royal, covers an area of 1,000 hectares. It is dotted with monuments of varying ages that bear witness to human activity throughout its history. The proposed route allows you to discover some of them, and with a little luck, the four-legged animals that inhabit it. To do so, you must be relatively quiet.

The Villecartier National Forest is known for its leisure centre, miniature harbour and hiking trails. The forest, formerly royal, covers an area of 1,000 hectares. It is dotted with monuments of varying ages that bear witness to human activity throughout its history. The proposed route allows you to discover some of these monuments and, with a little luck, the four-legged animals that inhabit the forest. To do so, you need to be relatively quiet and have a little luck.

The Villecartier National Forest is known for its leisure centre, miniature harbour and hiking trails. The forest, formerly royal, covers an area of 1,000 hectares. It is dotted with monuments of varying ages that bear witness to human activity throughout its history. The proposed route allows you to discover some of them, and with a little luck, the four-legged animals that inhabit it; to do so, you must be relatively quiet.

Trail, half on dirt track, half on road. Beautiful sights with the Saint-Macaire (or Maker) Fountain on one side and the megalithic rock site (also known as the "Field of Tombs") on the other. Part of the trail runs along the Canal de la Banche, which joins Dol de Bretagne at Quercourt.

The Villecartier State Forest is now known for its leisure centre and miniature harbour. A former royal forest covering 1,000 hectares, it has been home to craftsmen since ancient times: the Auge des Sabotiers archaeological site bears witness to this. During the Roman period and then in the Middle Ages, its activities continued to evolve against a backdrop of religious influence. This walk, which takes place entirely in the forest, invites you to discover all these places steeped in history.

This hike follows the path along the dyke between the Sainte-Anne Chapel and the Bertrand Polder and, on the way back, takes the Greenway linking Mont Saint-Michel to Cancale and continuing on to Saint-Malo and beyond. Beautiful view of the bay when the weather is good, which is often the case!

This hike follows the path along the dyke between Chapelle Sainte-Anne and Polder du Nouveau Conseil and, on the way back, takes the Greenway linking Mont Saint-Michel to Cancale and continuing on to Saint-Malo and beyond. Beautiful view of the bay when the weather is good, which is often the case!

A gentle walk north of Epiniac. It winds through the woods around the village, along pleasant paths with no particular difficulty.The route can be muddy between November and March but is not flooded. The area is rich in wildlife; you may occasionally encounter a herd of wild boar in the undergrowth, especially during the hunting season! So please take care.

A short, peaceful walk near Epiniac. It takes you along some pleasant sunken lanes that are passable in almost all seasons and not too difficult. Here and there you’ll find listed buildings. It’s not impossible to come across a herd of wild boars in the undergrowth, especially during the hunting season! So be careful.

The route consists almost equally of small roads and grassy paths. It is suitable for all seasons. No particular difficulty. The route winds through the various woods of the commune, which are fairly rich in game. The section near the Parc de la Higourdais is particularly pleasant, with paths running alongside the two ponds.

This route crosses the Parc de la Higourdais on the heights of Épiniac. It leads to the banks of the Ruisseau du Landal, which it follows through woodland that is particularly pleasant in summer. It then continues, half on road and half on footpaths. The walk passes over Brégain Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the Guyoult basin to the north. In good weather, you can see Mont-Saint-Michel to the north-east. The return journey takes you along small roads that are generally quite pleasant and quiet, allowing you to discover old hamlets and some beautiful stone houses.

The Parc de la Higourdais is managed by the Ille-et-Vilaine Departmental Council. It was the Council that had the mill and the bakehouse restored. Furthermore, along the route you will come across no fewer than five crosses.

A walk along the country lanes of La Fontenelle, which presents no significant difficulty. There is a beautiful view over the Couesnon valley and the charming village of La Roche. The architecture of some of its houses is remarkable, with decorative arched windows and double-roll-top doors...