Tour of the Roscanvel Peninsula

Start at the car park by Roscanvel church.

^GR®® markings (white and red)

(S/E) With your back to the church, follow Route de Quélern for a few dozen metres then turn left onto Chemin de Lanvernazal. Follow this path (note a beautiful dovecote on the right) and cross Route de Quélern again.

(1) Cross it and continue along Chemin de Run Land. Turn left onto Chemin de Kerhuel and you’ll reach Route du Plateau.

(2) Follow it to the left until it meets Route de Bel Air.

(3) Take the path on the right, cross Route de Kervian and continue to Route de la Fraternité.

^PR®® (Yellow) signposting

(4) Turn right onto it, pass Rue du Lavoir and turn left onto a path that leads to Route de Trégoudan.

(5) Follow this road to the left for a few dozen metres, turn right onto a wide path and cross the D355 with care to join the^GR®®34.

^GR®® markings (white and red)

(6) Follow it to the right, passing Îlot du Diable and Fort de la Fraternité, to reach Pointe des Capucins.

(7) Leave the^GR®® to the left onto a path leading to a viewpoint above the Fort des Capucins (access to the fort is prohibited as it is very dangerous). Retrace your steps and rejoin the^GR®®34on the left. Follow it, pass Fort de Kerviniou and reach Pointe de Cornouaille (lovely views of Fort de Cornouaille and the Brest harbour throughout the route).

(8) Continue along the^GR®®34, pass Fort Robert and reach Fort du Stiff (at this point, a path on the right joins the D355, avoiding a steep climb towards Pointe des Espagnols; see Practical Information).

(9) Continue along the^GR®®34, which descends steadily before reaching a wooden staircase. Climb it and follow the steep, winding path leading to Pointe des Espagnols (superb view of Brest Harbour).

(10) Continue on the^GR®®34, cross the Fort de la Pointe des Espagnols and reach the D355.

(11) Follow it to the left with care for a few metres, cross it and turn right then left onto a wide grassy path leading to the Route du Lez. Follow it to the right for a few metres.

(12) Take the path on the left, reach another small road and follow it to the left for a few metres. Turn right onto a path called Chemin de la Chênaie, which continues through a forest and then along the edge of fields to reach Rue de la Rade. Follow it to the right until it meets Route de Gouerest and turn right again for a few metres.

(13) Turn left onto a small road which continues as a wide grassy path. Continue along this path, ignoring all the paths branching off to the left and right, until you reach Route de Keralan. Follow it to the left and cross the hamlet of Keralan.

(14) Turn left onto a discreet path that veers to the right before crossing Chemin de Ménez Brug (note a perfectly restored windmill on the right). Continue straight ahead, reach Route du Gouerest and follow it to the left until it meets a small road called Chemin de Run ar C’had.

(15) Turn right onto this downhill road and reach the Route de Trévarguen Izella. Follow it to the left for a few metres and turn right onto a discreet path that veers left before crossing the Chemin de Keryano.

(16) Follow this path to the right; it continues as a small road before reaching Route de Kerlizou. Follow it to the left for a few metres.

(17) Turn right into the Le Méchou lane, then left into the Venelle du Penker and go round the church to return to the starting point (S/E).

Given the nature of the terrain, high-top hiking boots are recommended in all seasons.

The winding climb to Pointe des Espagnols is steep and quite challenging. To avoid it, at point (9), leave the^GR®® to the right to join the D355 at Penaros. Follow it to the left, past the car park, to reach the headland. Please note: this road is busy in summer.

Pointe des Espagnols is busy in the summer months. It is much quieter once you head away from it along the^GR®® or into the countryside.

After Pointe des Espagnols, the return route to Roscanvel through the countryside may seem complicated but has the advantage of completely avoiding the D355. The Visorando app or GPS is recommended, even though the signposting is very good.

Between (13) and (15), the paths can be muddy in winter or after heavy rain. It is possible to bypass this section by turning left onto the Route du Gouerest to join the Chemin Run ar C'had at point (15).

Picnic tables are available at the start car park, just past Fort de la Fraternité, and at Cale de Quélern.
Alternative car park at Pointe des Espagnols.
Toilets near the start car park.

Saint-Éloi Church in Roscanvel.
Fort de la Fraternité (late 18th century).
Fort des Capucins (19th century).
Batterie de Cornouaille (17th century).
Fort de la Pointe des Espagnols (18th century).
Numerous remains of World War II fortifications.
Charming hamlets in the countryside.
Panoramic views of over 180° across the Bay of Brest, from Camaret-sur-Mer to Landévennec.