The Tour of Ile Grande

An easy walk all the way along the coast. A short detour to the centre of the island provides access to a viewpoint and a superb covered walkway.

Details

81018
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.05 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 66 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 66 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 92 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 10 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

The start is just after the bridge on the D21, in the south of the island. Parking is available near the bridge or along the D21 before reaching Île Grande.

Red and white markings

(S) Take the path on the left (west) and follow the coast. Pass the islet of Rulosquet (on your left). Take the small road on the right, then turn left immediately and continue to a junction.

(1) Continue to the left (west), along the coast. At the next junction, turn left and you’ll reach a fountain. Take the path on the left, heading due south, to a headland (unnamed on the IGN map). Continue along the coast (northwards) to the Saint-Sauveur jetty.

(2) Continue north, past the campsites. You’ll reach the bird observatory (a building and a pit with cut-out figures of puffins). Continue north.

(3) Turn left towards the headland of Toul-ar-Staon, which offers a view over the sea in a wild setting. Retrace your steps.

(3) Continue eastwards along the coast. Turn south and head for Porz Guen beach (spelt ‘Porz Gwen’ locally). Swimming is possible at high tide (and in season). Walk along the beach and continue along the coast, first northwards then eastwards. Ignore a path branching off to the right and reach the junction with a footpath.

(4) Take the path on the right, through ferns and scrub. Wind your way up a few bends to reach the summit of Runn al Lannou (“the summit of the moor”, unnamed on the IGN map), from where you can enjoy a stunning view. Continue south and, at the next junction, turn left into Rue du Dolmen. After about 150 metres, you’ll find the well-preserved covered passageway on the right.

(5) Retrace your steps towards the coast (north).

(4) Carry on to the right (east), along the coast. You’ll reach Porz Gélen (sailing school). Carry on south, past a small road.

(6) Continue along the coast, turning right then left. Return to the starting point, level with the D21 bridge (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 26 ft - Ile Grande Bridge
  2. 1 : mi 0.59 - alt. 36 ft - Dourlin
  3. 2 : mi 1.3 - alt. 23 ft - Saint-Sauveur Pier
  4. 3 : mi 1.96 - alt. 33 ft - Towards Pointe de Toul-ar-Staon
  5. 4 : mi 3.08 - alt. 30 ft - Runn al Lannou Trail
  6. 5 : mi 3.36 - alt. 89 ft - Allée couverte de l'Île Grande
  7. 6 : mi 4.59 - alt. 23 ft - Near a car park
  8. S/E : mi 5.05 - alt. 26 ft - Ile Grande Bridge

Notes

The route is described in a clockwise direction but, of course, it is possible to walk it in the opposite direction.

Although the route is straightforward, a detailed map may be useful (at the very least, the one accompanying this description).

It is possible to combine this walk with another walk described on Visorando: Megaliths at Trébeurdun and the Marais du Quellen. From the starting point of this walk, take the D21 south-east and you will reach (after no more than 250 metres) point (2) of the other walk. Allow between 4 h 30 mins and 5 h for the entire walk.

The author has completed this walk three times: the first time on 22 July 2000, and the last time on 24 December 2009.

Worth a visit

- From the north coast, there are numerous beautiful views of the sea and the offshore islands.
- Between Porz Guen and Porz Gélen, the remains of old granite quarries (a statue in honour of the former quarrymen).
- A bird observatory in the north-west of the island.
- A beautiful viewpoint between (4) and (5).
- The covered walkway on Île Grande (5).

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 75 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 2478856
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, stunning views and some great photos of the choppy sea!
No difficulty at all.

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User 29078084

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

We did the route in reverse so we wouldn't have the wind in our faces.

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vip10
vip10
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant walk with no difficulty.

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jfbrdgemmes
jfbrdgemmes

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, easy, and not very difficult short hike.

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frelezaux
frelezaux

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Best done at high tide. Park before the bridge as there is no car park at the start of the circuit. It's a shame we couldn't find access to the covered walkway.

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Ricou et Domi
Ricou et Domi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb sunny day for a superb walk.
Lovely views all along the way.
We did it backwards (personal choice) in 1? hours.

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isa27
isa27

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very nice walk, with magnificent scenery and no difficulties.
I made a small variation leaving from the centre of the island where I parked.
Picnic in the rocks near the nautical base.

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bridge22
bridge22

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

0 AS DESCRIBED. Slight difficulties in finding the covered driveway on l'ile grande.

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FBREIZH
FBREIZH

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A must-do!
It's less busy than the customs path, but just as magnificent!

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tegnaf
tegnaf

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Lovely seaside walk, easy, no coastline. Super.

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marhem
marhem

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant route

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Isa et holi
Isa et holi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The directions from the start need to be more precise, as there is a first stone bridge before the île grande, which can lead to confusion.

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Yves JOZEFIAK
Yves JOZEFIAK

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful, magnificent scenery, top tour. Get up early because in August, it quickly becomes Eurodisney after 10:30 am ...

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AlexBoulogne
AlexBoulogne

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Easy and beautiful, we did it with the baby carrier

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Megeric
Megeric

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy and interesting walk.

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