Saint-Caradec walks

This hike will take you through the Rigole d'Hilvern on good paths. In the Middle Ages, according to legend, Saint-Caradec belonged to the Viscounty of Rohan. A smallpox epidemic occurred between 1865 and 1870, claiming 45 lives. Then, in 1902, a typhoid fever epidemic broke out in the region.

In the footsteps of the Toileux: 19th-century linen manufacturers; a journey back in time with the Cromlec'h de Lorette (an ancient covered burial passage) ending with the Rigole d'Hilvern: a man-made stream dug to feed the Nantes-Brest Canal - a little-known aspect of Brittany.

To the north-east of Pontivy, the Nantes–Brest Canal, on the River Douric, is fed by a series of ‘ponds’ which are in fact man-made basins designed to maintain a stable water level during lock operations.This route takes you past this succession of locks and ‘ponds’, passing by the Chapelle du Roz.A short, peaceful and tranquil walk along the water’s edge.

Between the Côtes-d'Armor and Morbihan. Following the Guerlédan trail, you climb up to overlook the dam built around 1930 to supply the region with electricity, then through heathland and woods, you descend to the Nantes–Brest Canal. As you pass through the village of Saint-Aignan, you’ll come past an interesting little church and the electricity museum. Also worth seeing on the way out of the village is the small Saint-Aignan dam.

Hike on the south side of Lake Guerlédan, starting from the church of Saint-Aignan in the commune of the same name. A rather bucolic route dotted with a few farms. The route runs along the shores of the lake and through the forest surrounding it. The landscapes are therefore very varied. Numerous paths allow you to diversify the route.

Starting from the Mileade centre, this hike will take you along Lake Guerlédan to the dam. On the way back, you can take a break at the leisure centre before crossing the Bois Cornec.

This hike will take you to Porz Braz along the Anse de Landroanec, then the Bois de Caurel. You will pass the prehistoric camp of Castel Finans before going back up through the woods and returning to Porz Braz.

A relaxing walk around the dam lake. The path along the banks is beautifully maintained. The artificial reservoir was created by building a dam at the end of the 19th century to supply the Canal de Nantes à Brest during periods of water shortage. A gauge shows that the water level at the dam can reach 14 metres.

This hike was completed and written during the summer of 2015, an exceptional period when the lake was drained for dam maintenance.We invite hikers to do this walk in spring, when the colours and scents are at their best, with the clear waters of the lake as a backdrop. Since 2024, major work has been underway between points 3 and 4 with a view to building a free Himalayan footbridge for crossing the Blavet, which cuts the complete tour of the lake in two. This will still be possible for the most experienced walkers. (See note in "Practical information".

The second part of the tour of Lake Guerlédan, the most physically demanding, particularly at the start. Departure from Le Manet towards Anse de Sordan, passing by the former Abbey of Notre-Dame de Bon Repos. Return route via the western side of the lake.

A lovely hike that allows you to discover the shores of Lake Guerlédan. Start at Anse de Sordan and walk back up to Bon Repos Abbey.

A very pretty little walk that takes you along almost no tarmac roads and follows the Lié valley, on the edge of the Loudéac forest. It takes you to some very interesting sites: La Roche-au-Cerf and its thousand-year-old ford, the castle and the Essarts mill.

A beautiful route that initially follows the edge of Lake Guerlédan via theGR® 341, then climbs up to the Butte de Malvran, which overlooks the surrounding area.

A superb hike taking place largely through woodland, with magnificent views of the lake from the highest points. Some sections of the trail are quite steep, ideal for a good leg workout, but over short distances. Walking poles may be useful for those less confident on their feet. There are numerous lodges and campsites available for overnight stays. There are seven different starting points; check the lake’s website http://www.lacdeguerledan.com/ for details. The trail is very well signposted with “Sentier de Guerlédan” markers throughout the route and the red and white markings ofthe GR® 341 andGR® 37. A few paths branch off the main trail to stay close to the lake or climb a little higher into the forest, but always rejoin the main trail. Please note! The entire route around the lake is open from 1 March to 15 September. Outside this period, sections of the trail are closed for hunting.

First section of the tour around Lake Guerlédan, Brittany’s largest lake. Departure from Anse de Sordan towards Le Mané, passing by the Guerlédan dam. This route follows the eastern shore of the lake.

Set off to explore the surroundings of the Forges du Vaublanc, which was an important iron foundry fromthe 17th tothe 19th century. The ore came from the region. The route follows the Lié, which provided hydraulic power to the factory, then crosses the Loudéac forest where dozens of charcoal burners produced the charcoal needed to fuel the blast furnaces.

A circular route, mainly on footpaths and sunken lanes, takes you from the village of Langast, with its very old church, to the thousand-year-old site of the Roche au Cerf ford and along streams and then the Lié valley.

The route follows small, undulating roads, passing a few crosses, chapels and very old houses. After the hamlet of Carfort, the landscape changes, featuring woodland, moorland and a consistently undulating terrain.

This circular route allows you to discover the small medieval town by strolling through its narrow streets, then walking along the leat and through sunken paths to the Notre-Dame-du-Haut Chapel. The last part of the walk offers beautiful views of the town and its ramparts.

The area around Moncontour, an ancient fortified town, is home to several châteaux and manor houses. This circular route through the countryside and woods takes in three of them: Château Bellevue, Château des Granges and Manoir du Vauclair. The last part of the route also offers lovely views of the town of Moncontour.

This route takes you up the Chemin de Justice (the Ecce Homo), the path along which those condemned to death were dragged by cart from the castle to be hanged. You also pass close to chapels and ponds, through woodland and a beautiful green valley.