The Grouin Tip (La Pointe du Grouin)

A rocky headland close to Cancale to discover thanks to the customs trails (GR®34). The coastline, interspersed with small sandy coves, is ideal for all kinds of summer activities. Walkers will be surprised if they expect a flat, unattractive trail. If there are occasional sunken paths, it's to allow a rest before rocky areas and steep gradients.

Technical sheet

1900280
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.53 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 118 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 118 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 53 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 7 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Leave Cancale and head for the "Pointe du Grouin" on the D201. After a 90° left-hand bend, turn right onto a small road leading to the Youth Hostel. Park in a small car park on the right
(see note in practical information).

(S/E) Leave the car park by turning right and driving under the bridge over the main road.

Yellow signposting

After 70m, take the path on the left. This continues into the road "Chemin de Clairette", which bends to the right.
Cross the road and continue straight ahead on the path. Cross a second road and continue straight ahead.

(1) When you reach the D201 road, cross with care and follow the path slightly to the left. Cross the hamlet "Hameau de la Gaudichais". The path bends broadly to the left and then to the right. At the crossroads, turn right.

GR®34 Red and white Marking

(2) Continue along this path, ignoring the paths to the right, heading northeast. Reach the "Pointe de la Moulière".
'Off-road : the tip is accessible by the path on the left''.

(3) Turn right, and the path heads East then South-East around the beach "Plage du Saussaye", then north-east along the "Boulevard des Ajoncs".

(4) Take the stairs and continue left along the protected pathway alongside the Boulevard. On the left, the Grand Porche du Saussaye chasm. Descend to the left to find the path leading to the "Pointe de Rochefroide".

(5) Continue along the path which, heading north-east, leads to the tip's car park. Turn left, passing the semaphore on your left, and continue to the tip, noting the coastal path on your right, which you should take after admiring the scenery.

(6) Take the downhill path on the left (the signpost is not visible in this direction) and follow it southwards. Go alongside the campsite and round the "Pointe de Barbe Brûlée".

(7) The path then heads due west to Port Mer beach. Turn left and walk along the beach.

Yellow Marking

(8) At the end of the car park, before the brown wooden hut, turn right up the road and, after a few metres, left onto the coastal path. Follow the winding, uneven path. It skirts the "Pointe du Chatryet and ends in a cove called Port Picain. The youth hostel is on the right, Follow the road uphill to the right, back to the car park. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 35 m - Small car park below the main road
  2. 1 : km 1.18 - alt. 45 m - Opposite after crossing the D201
  3. 2 : km 2.07 - alt. 14 m - Junction with the GR34
  4. 3 : km 2.91 - alt. 19 m - Pointe de la Moulière
  5. 4 : km 4.15 - alt. 30 m - Grand Porche du Saussaye
  6. 5 : km 4.67 - alt. 28 m - Pointe de Rochefroide
  7. 6 : km 6.06 - alt. 34 m - Coastal path on the left
  8. 7 : km 7.1 - alt. 13 m - Pointe de Barbe Brûlée
  9. 8 : km 7.88 - alt. 8 m - At the end of Port Mer, on the right
  10. S/E : km 9.52 - alt. 35 m - Small car park below the main road

Practical information

This walk is rated as "medium" difficulty, even though it is less than 10 kilometers long, as some sections of the GR®34 are not easy to negotiate.

A larger car park exists at the bottom of this road, just in front of the youth hostel. However, the presence of a parking meter can be a deterrent. However, you should avoid parking outside the designated spaces, as checks are frequent, especially in summer.

Beyond the "Pointe du Grouin" to the north-east lies the Pierre-de-Herpin lighthouse. The imaginary line linking the tip to the lighthouse is the starting line for the Route du Rhum race.

In the nearby area

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 88 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
User 17599112

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A relatively easy hike of about ten kilometres. We are not keen walkers and we completed this hike in 4 hours and 1 minute (but we stopped a lot to take photos). The first part is very short and takes you through open countryside to the coast, where the whole coastline is stunningly beautiful.
For your information, there are public toilets at the beach.
Thanks again, it was really superb.

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Elo79
Elo79

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Great route. Quite easy. Beautiful views of the sea. I recommend this walk.

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Orélie
Orélie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Very nice hike, magnificent weather to boot, no wind for this time of year.

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lauzerte1851
lauzerte1851

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A lot of cool breezes (7°C in the morning) but very beautiful sunshine. The seaside is magnificent, and the paths are pleasant with hardly anyone around. I highly recommend this route.

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Mainguene
Mainguene

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice walk to recommend

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Vive88
Vive88

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Magnificent trail with beautiful views of the sea, rocks and beaches. Quite an easy walk, even for someone who isn't used to walking. Many thanks to the author of this very well described route.

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Brureb
Brureb

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Super landscape 👍

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jujucourbis
jujucourbis
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Super hike, with truly magnificent scenery (fine weather on this day).
We recommend the Rochefroide point for a lunch break, and the second part offers a view of Mont Saint Michel...
I did this walk in 3 hours 15 minutes (not including the lunch break), with children.
It goes up and down a bit, but is largely manageable with children.
Only downside: it's quite busy, especially from the pointe du grouin to the end...

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Chrysoprase88
Chrysoprase88

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very fine walk from point to point on the Emerald Coast. More popular route as you get closer to Cancale (point 6 at the finish). Magnificent views. A little more difference in altitude in total: 160m ascent - 168 descent, but easily achievable. You can take a break (bar, restaurant) at point 6, at the Pointe du Grouin itself. I highly recommend this route!

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mikisreverse
mikisreverse

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant route with beautiful views

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Db35
Db35
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Very nice walk, magnificent coastal scenery for 3/4 of the route 👍
Beware of a few tricky sections

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bronsart-carlier
bronsart-carlier

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful walk surrounded by breathtaking scenery.

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LA SALINE
LA SALINE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Visorando is the ideal application for hiking.
This route is superb, but quite steep.
You need to be aware of this and be very careful.

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Brave
Brave

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very beautiful and well-described seaside trail that allows you to discover the Pointe du Grouin from both sides with beautiful panoramic views. Walking shoes are recommended, especially on the steep sections.

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Sophieexplora
Sophieexplora

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Magnificent walk by the sea! You'll need good footwear, as some sections are tricky because of the stones, depending on your physical condition. Work is being carried out at the pointe du groin, preventing access.

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