Tour of Houat Island

Houat Island, the island with two faces. Overrun by tourists in summer, it offers beaches and a rocky coastline. In the quieter winter months, you can discover its true identity.
See its lobster hatchery.

Details

40232
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.37 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 180 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 167 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 89 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 10 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Morbihan (56)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 47.393386° / W 2.957403°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 0822OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

This very pretty 15 km hike can be done in either direction (we are on an island). The choice will depend on your schedule and what you want to do.

Reach the Port Saint Gildas landing stage.

(S/E) Take the coastal path on the right. Follow the rocky coastline and reach the cove of Port Navalo at Pointe Hastelic.

(1) Continue along the path overlooking the ocean, pass Beg Run er Vilaine and then reach the northern tip of the island at Beg er Vachif.

(2) Stay close to the ocean and you will soon reach the south-western point.

(3) Now walk to pass above Deür er Vénigued, Portz Chudell, Portz Plouz and Portz Carnaquiz. Reach the Doar Segal crossroads.

(4) Here you can turn left to visit the museum and the lobster hatchery.
Return to the crossroads and continue left on the coastal path. You will arrive at the wide beach of Tréac'h Salus.

(5) Continue to reach the southern tip at Men or Bihan.

(6) Continue by changing direction to head north, arriving at Tréac'h er Gourèd beach.

(7) Cross it to reach the eastern tip and the old Tal battery.

(8) Change direction here and head due west along Tal er Han beach, then Port de Sain-Gildas to finish at the Saint-Gildas pier (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 10 ft - Port Saint-Gildas
  2. 1 : mi 1.34 - alt. 33 ft - Rocky coast
  3. 2 : mi 2.41 - alt. 69 ft - North-western point
  4. 3 : mi 3.13 - alt. 66 ft - South-western tip
  5. 4 : mi 5.09 - alt. 36 ft - Eclosarium and museum
  6. 5 : mi 5.76 - alt. 46 ft - Beach
  7. 6 : mi 6.63 - alt. 33 ft - Men Kor Bihan
  8. 7 : mi 7.42 - alt. 43 ft - Beach
  9. 8 : mi 8.24 - alt. 30 ft - Old battery
  10. S/E : mi 9.37 - alt. 13 ft - Port Saint-Gildas

Notes

There are no shelters along this hike, except for the cafés on the harbour and the hatchery accessible from the south-west coast.
If you choose the first route, you can end your hike by relaxing on one of the large sandy beaches or even taking a dip in the crystal-clear water.
The north-western (2) and south-western (3) parts are much rockier and offer magnificent views.

Worth a visit

(4) Visit the lobster hatchery.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 39 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
pmayeur
pmayeur
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,
Hike completed on 3 August. The weather was lovely. We followed the route shown on the map.
In the northern section, there is plenty of greenery; the path winds its way through the bushes to the fort.
Beyond the fort, there’s less greenery; it’s drier – it’s worth noting that we’ve had a rather exceptional drought this year.
Then, from the fort onwards, you start walking a bit on sand. There’s more and more sand on the path, so it’s a bit more tiring, but you get there – you just need to take your time and admire the scenery.
There are plenty of beaches where you can stop for a picnic before continuing the walk.
In any case, it’s a lovely walk offering some beautiful views, just to remind you that Brittany is always beautiful.

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User 14834283

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, I’ve done most of it today.
I’ve got a problem with your elevation profiles. There’s hardly a metre of flat ground between point 1 and point 5. It’s either going up or down. Perhaps a little less so than at Belle Île, but it’s far from flat! (Estimated elevation gain of around 300m)
Furthermore, some of the descents and ascents are slippery, with loose stones. It’s far from being as straightforward as described.
Otherwise, it’s magnificent, and not very busy even on 27 July. The crowds of tourists stay in the village and on the nearby (magnificent) beaches, but rarely venture out onto the island’s coastal path.

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Randophil57
Randophil57
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The most beautiful hike we have done in the Quiberon area. The seven-hour trip around the island allowed us to complete a full circuit and admire the magnificent coastline and sublime white sandy beaches.
We chose to do it in reverse order so that we could enjoy the morning light on the beaches of the east coast.

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nlx
nlx
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful island, with the wild southern part and its beautiful coves being a particular favourite. Didn't have time to complete the entire hike in 4 hours. Point 8 is closed, so it's better to walk along the beach at low tide rather than take the very sandy path. Beautiful view between points 5 and 6 on the passage between the two beaches.
Having tried Houat and Hoedic on the same day, I prefer Houat for its more varied landscapes.

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User 10994989

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike, the coast is magnificent
Not many people on the trail
However, there is not much detail in the description of the locations

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Tullier
Tullier

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The view is exceptional, so don't hesitate to take the time to take in the panoramic views. At the end of this hike, we couldn't go past the fort because an electricity meter prevented us from continuing. Otherwise, do it without hesitation.

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Oxain
Oxain

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great route with pretty coves and beautiful views.
The weather was rather grey, and fortunately so, as there was little shade on the route and a bit of a climb despite what I may have read in some of the previous comments.
Be careful at point 8, as it was impossible to turn left, as the access road had been closed, so we walked along the beach all the way to the tip, which made the walk a little longer.
A visit to the village is worthwhile.
Walk started at 11am and finished at 4:30pm, with a few breaks.

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Dino1
Dino1

A very nice circuit with no difficulties

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Bernard 10
Bernard 10

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello everyone,
I've just completed the 15 km loop around the island in 5 hours, taking my time.
Leaving the port of Gildas, I took the coastal path that goes off to the right after passing the harbour office.
It was a superb walk, with no difficulties and magnificent, varied scenery all along the way.
Compared to Belle-Ile, there is very little change in altitude. Which is rather pleasant.
At this time of year (April) there weren't many of us. Magnificent deserted beaches or almost.
Few shops open.
While waiting for the shuttle back to the mainland, we had a hot drink in a small bar overlooking the quays. ( On the left, opposite the port ) Very friendly welcome.
I highly recommend this walk. This island is a jewel.

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Dino1
Dino1

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Well-marked and very pleasant route

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les5chaps
les5chaps

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful route. Protect nature: stay on the trails

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Lexr8
Lexr8

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very pretty island, great beaches, but I prefer its little sister Hoedic. No shade. Very few water/toilet points. 6-hour walk with lots of breaks. Can only be done between 2 boats on Sundays and Mondays, the other days the times are too close together, unless you do it on a fairly fast walk with few breaks. Difference in altitude completely underestimated, count more on the order of 300m D+.

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Toumpy
Toumpy

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb walk with the sea always in sight and superb beaches and coves to cool off on.

Rabbits are running around on the plateau, which has many burrows.

And the calm everywhere: a real moment of happiness!

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Dany6364
Dany6364

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 29, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent landscapes. Paradise on earth

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Toumpy
Toumpy

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb scenery and heavenly little beaches for a refreshing break

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