Hiking trails

If walking is the perfect opportunity to let the mind and imagination wander, then Brocéliande is a daydreamer’s paradise! With 200 km of hiking trails, this land of legends will please casual walkers and experienced hikers alike, a perfect combination of legendary tales, megalithic sites and unusual landscapes.

 A few tips

Tip N°1: During the hunting season, some trails may be closed, we strongly advise that you pick a circuit according to the season.

Tip N°2: From 3 to 7 years old, a child can walk 1 km per year of age. In terms of pace, progression rarely reaches more than 2 km per hour on average. From 8 to 12 years old, outings of 8 to 15 km can be envisaged. For the younger ones, baby carriers can be rented from the Tourist Office for a day or half-day (7). Bookings can be made through the Tourist Office.

 

Landes - Crédit : Philippe Manguin

HEAVEN'S GATE (Legendary hike)

The beauty and charm of Brocéliande, all in one place! It is all there: legendary sites, divine views, megalithic sites, unique heritage, pine and oak forests…

DISTANCE: 16 km
DURATION: 4 hours and 15 minutes
ACCESS DURING HUNTING SEASON (1 October to 31 March): closed

Start/Finish: 

Noteworthy sites:

  • The Church of the Holy Grail
  • Folle-Pensée village
  • The Fountain of Barenton (the source of storms!)
  • The Gouffier Stones in the Morgan fields, a megalithic site
  • The tumulus of the Monks’ Garden
  • Moorland
Download the map
Paimpont, la fontaine de Barenton dans la foret de Broceliande.

IN THE LAND OF THE FAIRIES (Legendary hike)

On this hiking trail, you leave the moors and dive into the forest. This circuit is a classic in the Brocéliande forest, and what a classic!

DISTANCE: 11 km
DURATION: 3 hours
ACCESS DURING HUNTING SEASON (1 October to 31 March): closed

Start/Finish:

Noteworthy sites:

  • Folle Pensée village,
  • The Gouffier Stones in the Morgan fields, a megalithic site
  • Guillotin’s remarkable oak (over 800 years old)
  • The Rock of Pas de la chèvre
  • The magical fountain of Barenton
Download the map
Brocéliande - the Valley of no Return and the Golden Tree

THE VALLEY OF NO RETURN (Legendary hike)

This trail is the perfect mix of legend, purple schist and golden gorse. A must-see in the spring when streams flow into the waterfall and gorses fill the air of the moors with their coconut scent.

DISTANCE: 8 km
DURATION: 2 hours and 40 minutes
ACCESS DURING HUNTING SEASON (1 October to 31 March): closed

Start/Finish: 

Noteworthy sites:

  • The Church of the Holy Grail,
  • The Tree of Gold,
  • The Valley of No Return,
  • Vivien’s House,
  • The Fairies’ Mirror,
  • The dragon’s spine,
  • Merlin’s seat.
Download the map
Etang de Paimpont

THE LOWLAND FOREST OF BROCELIANDE (Our favourite!)

This trail through the realm of Merlin, perfect for fans of forest landscapes, will lead you right to the heart of history and local identity.

DISTANCE: 22 km
DURATION: 5 hours and 30 minutes
ACCESS DURING HUNTING SEASON (1 October to 31 March): closed

Start/Finish:

Parking lot of the pond of the Marette (Saint-Malon-sur-Mel) – 48°04’55.4″N 2°06’35.4″W

Noteworthy sites:

  • A reconstituted Fouée de Charbonniers (the local version of a charcoal burner’s heap)
  • The Oak of the Hindrés
  • The Lake of Pas du Houx (a bird migration area and a rare natural environment)
  • The Lake of Pont Don-Jean (a wonderfully poetic site where not many people go)
  • Merlin’s Tomb,
  • The Fountain of Youth,
  • The Marette quarry (a particularly prized site for geological observation)
Download the map
Lake of the Abbey of Paimpont

THE TWO LAKES TRAIL (At the heart of the Paimpont forest)

A jewel in between two sensitive nature areas, for those who enjoy the woods’ fauna and flora!

DISTANCE: 10 km
DURATION: 2 hours and 45 minutes
ACCESS DURING HUNTING SEASON (mid-september to 31 March): take the no-marked alternative, except Hunting days (see the calendar)

Start/Finish: 

Noteworthy sites:

  • The Paimpont lake which offers a very poetic view of the abbey
  • The lake of Pas du Houx, a bird migration area and a rare natural environment
  • Many remarkable trees
  • The Paimpont forest
Download the map
Vallée de l'Aff

THE AFF VALLEY

A secret spot enjoyed by local families, a very appealing walk with plenty of treasures to discover.

DISTANCE: 11 km
DURATION: 3 hours
ACCESS DURING HUNTING SEASON (1 October to 31 March): no restrictions

Start/Finish: 

Noteworthy sites:

  • The Aff valley, a little gem!
  • Saint Malo de Beignon, a typical village with elegant places of interest such as the Bishops’ Garden
  • A walk around the lake referred to as the lake of Saint-Malo

 

Download the map
jardin aux Moines Brocéliande

AROUND THE MONKS' GARDEN (Megaliths and Heritage)

This hilly hike with fantastic views will delight your mind and senses alike.

DISTANCE: 12.5 km
DURATION: 3 hours and 15 minutes
ACCESS DURING HUNTING SEASON (1 October to 31 March): closed

Start/Finish: 

Noteworthy sites:

  • The Church of the Holy Grail,
  • The tumulus of the Monks’ Garden,
  • Dr Guérin’s Tomb
Download the map

THE MEGALITHS' CIRCUIT (Our favourite Heritage and Megaliths circuit)

This hike around the megaliths of Monteneuf will lead you to a collection of monuments built in the Neolithic period. This site is considered a very important site in central Brittany.

DISTANCE: 11 km
DURATION: 3 hours and 30 minutes
ACCESS DURING HUNTING SEASIN (1 October to 31 March): no restrictions

Start/Finish: 

Noteworthy sites:

  • The site of the Pierres Droites (Upright Stones), over 400 stones including 40 standing menhirs. Free access.
  • The covered room
  • The covered gallery of the borders
  • The loge Marais
Download the map
Château de Trécesson - crédit Caroline Mancheron

GURWANT MOORS

This hiking trail features beautiful and diverse landscapes, filled with history and legends. Probably one of our visitors’ favourite hikes.

DISTANCE: 11 km
DURATION: 3 hours and 30 minutes
ACCESS DURING HUNTING SEASON (1 October to 31 March): closed

Start/Finish:

Noteworthy sites:

  • Vivien’s House,
  • The view over the mysterious Castle of Trécesson,
  • The Giants’ Tomb,
  • It is possible to connect to the short circular tour of the Valley of No Return, which takes you to the Tree of Gold, the Fairies’ Mirror and to False-Lovers’ Rock.
Download the map
Val sans Retour - Forêt de Brocéliande

LA CHAMBRE AU LOUP (near the Brocéliande forest)

Surrounded by gorse, this “chamber” is a small canyon at the bottom of which two lakes lie peacefully. This path, known for its astonishing landscapes, is filled with locals on weekends and holidays.

DISTANCE: 9 km
DURATION: 3 hours
ACCESS DURING HUNTING SEASON (1 October to 31 March): no restrictions

  • Car park in the valley of the Chambre au Loup – Coordinates: 48°05’45.5″N / 2°03’15.9″W

    Noteworthy sites:
  • Trémelin woods
  • Moors
  • The small valley of the Chambre au loup
Download the map

A few pictures

Father Gillard's statue - Church of the Holy Grail - Tréhorenteuc The mosaic of the white stag, in the church of the Holy Grail - Tréhorenteuc - Crédit Emmanuel Berthier Fisherman on the lake of the abbey of Paimpont Lake of the Abbey of Paimpont Golden Tree - Valley of no return Brocéliande - the Valley of no Return and the Golden Tree The Valley of No Return - Panorama The Valley of No Return - the False Lovers' Rock France, Morbihan (56), Trehorenteuc, randonneur au Val sans Retour dans la foret de Broceliande Trail The Oak of the Hindrés The Oak of the Hindrés Guillotin's Oak- Credit Benjamin Chorin Guillotin's Oak - CRT