Hiker's Brittany

A rugged peninsula in northwest France, Brittany beckons us with its hundreds of miles of ancient coastal footpaths, Celtic heritage, prehistoric sites, and renowned cuisine. We hike the clifftop trails of the Emerald Coast, see the mystic standing stones of Carnac, and hear the tales of 16th century corsairs—pirate clans who ruled this coast. As we explore this French heartland, we enjoy Brittany’s culinary delights, from fresh oysters to savory Breton buckwheat pancakes (galettes), enjoy a delicious bollee (traditional bowl) or two of the local cidre fresh from the farm, and discover an ancient, rural, and intriguing part of France full of history and tradition. Our delightful bases include medieval Dinan, the breathtaking walled seaport of St. Malo, and a 17th century chateau in Planguenoual .

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-2
Dinan

We meet in Rennes and head to the medieval port of Dinan, with its cobbled streets and half-timbered overhanging houses reveal a perfectly preserved past. The next day we hike through a magical ancient forest full of megalithic monuments.

Days 3-4
The Emerald Coast / Saint Malo

Following part of the Sentier des Douaniers, one of France’s finest hiking trails, we contour Brittany’s spectacular Emerald Coast past watchtowers, lighthouses, and fishing villages nestled in small coves. At hike’s end, we arrive in Cancale, home to probably the tastiest oysters in Brittany—and that is saying something! Our hike the next day brings us around the Bay of Lupin on coastal trails through farms and forests. Our hotel is in beautiful Saint Malo, a dramatic port surrounded by enormous ramparts.

Days 5-6
Frehel Cape / Brehat Island / Domaine du Val

The Frehel Cape is a magnificent place for hiking, with its high cliffs of pink granite and riot of wildflowers. We walk the cape to the Fort de la Latte, an archetypal medieval castle that has defied time and invaders since 937 AD. Our next hike start at Cape Plouezec and brings us along the coast to the ruined abbey of Beauport. Later we boat out to Brehat Island to enjoy its picturesque setting. Overnights are in a lovely 17th century chateau surrounded by forests.

Days 7-9
Bay of Morbihan / Gavrinis Island / Carnac

We head to the Bay of Morbihan (Gaelic for “small sea”), famous for its numerous islands and migratory birds. Our hike across forest, farmland, and beautifully manicured countryside brings us to a gem of a village called Poul-Fetan, and we visit Carnac, a megalithic site with one of the most important standing-stone alignments in the world. We also boat out to Gavrinis Island, once the destination of Christian pilgrimages, with its remarkable chambered burial mound dating to the 4th millennium BC. Overnights are in Carnac Plage. Depart via Rennes on Day 9.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

What the Trip is Like

The trip is rated Level 3, Moderate. We hike from 3 to 5 hours each day (with two days having a total of 6 hours). The trails are not difficult but there are some rugged sections on the coastal tracks. Trip members should be in good shape and have good hiking boots. A vehicle will transfer our luggage between overnight accommodations. On some days, we enjoy picnic lunches with local wine and regional specialties. On “town” days, we often have lunch at local cafes. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the U.S. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 PM. Accommodations are in small hotels and inns.

Explanation of Trip Levels