Tour of Groix Island - West Coast

This stage is dedicated to the wildest part of the island. The north coast up to Pointe Grognon has a few small coves where you can descend to sea level. From Pointe du Grognon to Port Saint-Nicolas, the coast is very rocky and jagged; access to the seashore is virtually impossible. From Trou de l'Enfer, return to Port Tudy via the small road that passes through a place called "Le Bourg".

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Tour de l’île de Groix

Details

4417602
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.08 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 561 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 531 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 157 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 10 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Groix (56590)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 47.64402° / W 3.449294°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 0720ET
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) From the Hotel de la Jetée in Port Tudy, take the path heading west along the coast. Follow the coastline to Port Lay.

(1) Go around the small U-shaped harbour and take the coastal path to Port Melin.

(2) Go around this small cove, continue along the rocks and reach Pointe du Grognon after passing the battery of the same name.

(3) Stay on the coastal path until you reach Pen Men, the point that marks the end of the north coast.

(4) At the tip of Pen Men, after a turn to the south, leave the coastal path temporarily and take the clearly visible path to the lighthouse on the right.

(5) From the lighthouse, return to the coast at Trou du Tonnerre. From there, stay on the coastal path until you reach Pierre Blanche.

(6) From Pierre Blanche, continue overlooking the sea. The path turns north to bypass a fault before Port Saint-Nicolas.

(7) At the crossroads, turn right and descend towards a cove before Port Saint-Nicolas.

(8) Take the path that climbs northwards, then turn completely south towards Port Saint-Nicolas.

(9) On the left side of the beach, at the end of a small car park, take the coastal path towards Pointe de Saint-Nicolas.

(10) Head south-east towards Pointe de Roh Hir, then walk along the cliffs towards the south-east until you reach Trou d'Enfer.

(11) At Trou d'Enfer, leave the path and follow the road to the hamlet of Créhal.

(12) At Créhal, turn northeast and arrive at the church square in the village of Groix.

(13) Take Rue du Général de Gaulle, then Rue des Coureaux to return to Port Tudy and the Hôtel de la Jetée (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 49 ft - Port Tudy
  2. 1 : mi 0.66 - alt. 33 ft - Port-Lay
  3. 2 : mi 1.55 - alt. 75 ft - Port Melin
  4. 3 : mi 2.7 - alt. 85 ft - Pointe du Grognon
  5. 4 : mi 4.11 - alt. 112 ft - Pen Men
  6. 5 : mi 4.44 - alt. 131 ft - Pen Men Lighthouse
  7. 6 : mi 6.07 - alt. 95 ft - Pierre Blanche
  8. 7 : mi 7 - alt. 82 ft - Right towards Port Saint-Nicolas
  9. 8 : mi 7.31 - alt. 10 ft - Small cove before Port Saint-Nicolas
  10. 9 : mi 7.74 - alt. 36 ft - Port Saint-Nicolas
  11. 10 : mi 7.95 - alt. 95 ft - Towards Pointe Saint Nicolas
  12. 11 : mi 9.29 - alt. 128 ft - Hell Hole
  13. 12 : mi 9.89 - alt. 154 ft - Créhal
  14. 13 : mi 10.53 - alt. 118 ft - Church Square
  15. S/E : mi 11.08 - alt. 49 ft - Port Tudy

Notes

Worth a visit

  • Port Tudy
  • Port Melin
  • Port Lay.
  • Pointe du Grognon and Fort du Grognon.
  • Pen Men and its lighthouse.
  • Pierre Blanche
  • Port Saint Nicolas
  • Hell's Hole.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Gobin
Gobin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with a slight elevation gain.

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francois 38
francois 38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

exceptional
we set off at 8.30am and headed for the east of the island
Groix is very nice

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Vieuxpof
Vieuxpof

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent landscapes of the Breton moors, a trail that runs along the coast with different attractions depending on whether you are on the mainland or the ocean side.

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GSO
GSO

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The markings are faded in places and there are multiple junctions that can be misleading, so the Visorando trail is very useful.

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Nifo
Nifo

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Please note that the stone markers indicating directions are often worn away and therefore illegible. The same applies to road signs.

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Nifo
Nifo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike with stunning scenery

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Hervé Arradon
Hervé Arradon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The island of Groix is very pleasant. The western part is the most unspoilt.

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BLAMOT
BLAMOT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Quite a physically demanding hike in places. Care must be taken in strong winds, with some sections close to the cliff.
The description is sufficient as long as you remain attentive. The route follows the coast as closely as possible. It is superb.
Magnificent view of the ocean and the harbour of LORIENT.

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Flop56
Flop56

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful coastal route, well maintained. Less crowded on this side, especially at this time of year.
We did the hike from the east in September 2022, which completes the tour of the island.

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randonnée79270
randonnée79270

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Just to clarify, there must be more visitors in summer. A very beautiful hike.

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domy39
domy39

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It is a coastal route, so there are no particular difficulties.

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