Sentier de l'Abécédaire (Cap Ferret)

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The Dunes ABC at Cap Ferret is a nature trail. On this trail, which runs along the back of the dunes, walkers will discover a large photo album from north to south, organised alphabetically from A for "Algae" to Z for "Zoster".

Details

n°1109249
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.57 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 31 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 31 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 21 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4 m
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Photos

The third Croix des Marins (Pointe du Cap Ferret)
The Abécédaire trail
The Dune du Pilat seen from the Abécédaire trail
The Cap Ferret lighthouse

Description of the walk

Start: entrance to Cap Ferret, at the end of Allée des Dunes.

(S/E) From the Conservatoire du littoral sign, take the path on the left heading south.

After that, the route is straightforward: head south then south-southeast, along the beach (on your right) and the dunes or forest (on your left). Cross any paths or roads that intersect and follow the signs from A to Z.

(1) Cross the railway tracks.

(2) Signpost Abécédaire G.

(3) Note the view of the Cap Ferret lighthouse.

(4) Abécédaire O sign.

(5) Note the view of the Cap Ferret semaphore.

(6) Note the oil well on the right.

(7) Note the Sailors' Cross on the left.

(8) Note the view of the Dune du Pilat. Continue on to the Pointe du Cap Ferret.

(9) Turn around and return to the starting point (S/E) via the same route you took on the way there.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 8 m - Entrance to Cap Ferret at the end of Allée des Dunes - Bassin d'Arcachon
  2. 1 : km 0.47 - alt. 12 m - Horizon Beach
  3. 2 : km 0.98 - alt. 11 m - Abécédaire G sign
  4. 3 : km 1.67 - alt. 17 m - View of the Cap Ferret lighthouse.
  5. 4 : km 3.22 - alt. 13 m - Abécédaire O sign
  6. 5 : km 3.52 - alt. 12 m - View of the Cap Ferret semaphore
  7. 6 : km 4.11 - alt. 9 m - Oil well
  8. 7 : km 4.52 - alt. 12 m - Croix des Marins.
  9. 8 : km 4.6 - alt. 10 m - View of the Dune du Pilat
  10. 9 : km 4.8 - alt. 8 m - Arcachon Bay - Pointe du Cap Ferret
  11. S/E : km 9.57 - alt. 8 m - Entrance to Cap Ferret at the end of Allée des Dunes

Notes

No water along the route. The only water source is at the finish line at the tip of Cap Ferret.

Hiking boots. No particular difficulty, this route can be done with the family.

Restaurant at the end of the route (good food).

Worth a visit

Little train from Plage de l'Horizon (1).
In 1879, a horse-drawn tramway was installed at Cap Ferret to connect the shores of the Bassin to the ocean. In the 1950s, J. Milet (a railway enthusiast) revived the little train and in 1952
the line was revived and the two diesel locomotives were converted into a locomotive.
Since then, every year from April to September, the little train of Cap Ferret has provided daily connections between the shores of the Bassin d'Arcachon from the Bélisaire jetty and the ocean beach of Horizon.

Cap Ferret Lighthouse
The Cap Ferret Lighthouse, as you see it today, dates from 1945. The very first lighthouse, dating from 1840, was destroyed by the Germans when they deserted the area... You will also see the remains of the bunkers from that time on the site!
Free admission for children under 4, €4 for children under 12, €6 for everyone else. Not sure if there is a group rate.
Once at the top, the lighthouse offers a breathtaking view of the entire basin: the oyster beds, Île aux Oiseaux, the passes, Dune du Pilat, the ocean.. Don't think twice, climb those 258 steps! Keep going, you won't be disappointed! It's big, it's beautiful, it's breathtaking!

The remains of a few blockhouses (Atlantic Wall) can still be seen on Cap Ferret beach. See their locations on the IGN map.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 16 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Isabelle Ariège
Isabelle Ariège

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An interesting and easy hike, pleasant in winter as it is often sheltered from the wind.

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Frsze
Frsze

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk

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CHANNIE
CHANNIE

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Interesting dune landscapes, but you can only see the ocean at the very end of the trail. There, the view is magnificent. The signs are interesting.
Although there are few people on most of the trail, it's different when you approach the tip, which many people reach by road, either by bike or car.
For the return journey, we opted for a "mixed" route between small streets and the seafront (it was high tide)

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J264
J264

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice, easy, modular trail between forest and dunes
Suitable for families, possibly with dogs
Option to return or go to the beach at low tide

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J264
J264

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice, easy, modular trail between forest and dunes
Suitable for families, possibly with dogs

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FERRAND
FERRAND

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk, even for little ones

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Gautreault
Gautreault

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike shaded in places.

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deforge
deforge

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk through the woods with information boards on various topics
We did it in continuous rain

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boreale1986
boreale1986

Hello, is it possible to do this walk with a pushchair? Is the path sandy? Thank you for your reply.

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TitofManche
TitofManche
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, easy route, although the path is a little far from the ocean, which can only be seen at the tip. On the way back, we took the Arcachon basin side and passed by the lighthouse to add some variety to the route. 🌅👍The signs provide an opportunity to play games with the children. 😉

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Mimi2
Mimi2

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Family hike in very bad weather (rain, cold, wind). Unfortunately, we couldn't enjoy the view at the end. As a result, there weren't many people around.
Good pace from start to finish, beautiful properties hidden in the vegetation along the route, an amazing oil pumping station and colourful blockhouses. It makes you want to come back when the weather is nice.

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Mario33290
Mario33290

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

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grosmollets
grosmollets

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A walk we took during our holiday in the Arcachon basin. We went for a dip at Horizon Beach, then walked to the point.

The various information boards are interesting and add variety to the walk. It's relatively quiet until you reach the car park before the point, after which there were crowds of August holidaymakers, including myself... But the view at the end is superb!

In any case, thank you for sharing this route, because the tourist office doesn't really mention it...

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augeroches
augeroches

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 26, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very beautiful hike that can be modified at any time

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Georgio2612
Georgio2612

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 07, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I did the outward route. I returned to my starting point via the Bassin side. The ABC trail is very pleasant and well marked. Beautiful views, especially when you reach the tip.

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