Greenway, Vallon du Zins and Anse de Saint-Jean north of Concarneau

The route starts at the Stang Bihan car park on the road to Concarneau, between Anse de Saint-Jean and Anse de Saint-Laurent.

No signposting

(S/E) Return to the car park entrance and turn right onto a recently developed path for cyclists and pedestrians running alongside the road as it descends towards Concarneau. Pass the entrance to the Les Prés Verts campsite and cross the road carefully to turn left onto the Route du Pont de Lanadan.

(1) Go under this bridge, turn left onto a path that joins the greenway opposite a sign reading ‘Centre Ville 2.5 km’. Follow it to the right, cross the Route de Kerguéres, continue along the greenway, and ignore the first path on the right

(2) Turn right onto another stony track at La Villeneuve. Continue along this track until it joins Rue du Zins. At the Coralie bus depot, turn right onto a grassy path on the right bank of the Zins.

Mountain bike signpost 30 (yellow) in the opposite direction

Follow this path through the valley behind a housing estate until you reach Route de la Forêt.

(3) Follow it to the left to cross the Zins and immediately turn right onto a path on the left bank of the Zins. Follow this path, ignoring any offshoots to the left or right, and cross the Zins via a footbridge. Continue along the right bank, cross a wetland area via a boardwalk and reach Rue des Primevères.

(4) Cross the street and follow it to the left for a few dozen metres. Turn right onto a path that joins the greenway, cross it, and continue along a path on the left bank of the Zins. Ignore any paths branching off to the right or left as you leave the valley (the Zins is channelled at this point).

(5) Pass a sports centre on your left, cross Rue des Sables Blancs with care and reach the^GR®34.

^GR® signposting (white and red)

(6) Take the^GR® to the right, pass the Thalasso Concarneau spa, Sables Blancs Beach and join a wide path leading to the pretty Kernous Beach (with some lovely views of Concarneau Bay along the way).

(7) Continue along the^GR®, skirting the Anse de Saint-Jean via a narrower path which is, in places, covered with slippery roots when it has rained, until you reach a wooden staircase at the far end of the cove.

(8) Climb the steps and continue to the left along a path protected by a safety barrier, running alongside the road towards Concarneau. Continue along the opposite bank of Anse de Saint-Jean and leave the^GR® via the first path on the right.

No signposting

Follow this path to reach the car park where you started (S/E).

Some sections may be muddy in the Vallon du Zins and the Anse de Saint-Jean. Hiking boots are recommended in winter or after heavy rain.

There is a short stretch of tarmac between (S/E) and (1), but this is now safe following the development of cycle and footpaths.

The coastline can be busy in the summer months between (6) and (7). It is much quieter along the rest of the route.

There is another car park, toilets and picnic tables at Plage des Sables Blancs.

Anse de Saint-Jean.
Vallon du Zins.
Sables Blancs and Kernous beaches.
Greenway, a former railway line between Concarneau and Rosporden, in service from 1883 to 1959.
Stunning views over Concarneau Bay.