Backpacking on the GR 34

From Audierne to Bénodet

From April to June and from September to October

Breathe in the fresh air in Audierne bay and admire the power of the elements at Pointe de La Torche, where the surfers put on a show every day. Between the Guilvinec fishing port and the fine sandy beaches of Tudy island, discover a part of Brittany with a strong personality: Pays Bigouden.

©VERNEUIL Teddy - LEZBROZ

Route description

Step

01 Step 01

A day on Sein island

Departure and return: Audierne harbour

Arrival: Sein island

Barely an hour’s crossing from Audierne and you’ll arrive on Sein island! A tip: arrive the day before to get on the first boat. Say goodbye to the car, this little island can only be discovered (easily) on foot. Stroll through the colourful little streets in the port, then go across the moors to Goulenez lighthouse. In summer, climb the 360 steps to its parapet walk. You won’t be disappointed! The 360° view is absolutely breath-taking! It takes around one and a half hours to go around the island, between coves, pebbled stretches and old seaweed kilns. Visit the Sein island museum in the former sailors’ shelter to learn more. Return to Audierne in the late afternoon.

Seals, dolphins and water sports on the Goyen

Do you want to get close to grey seals and common bottlenose dolphins? Book a kayak outing with Ile de Sein Nautisme. It’s a magical experience every time! You could also hire a paddle board from the Plouhinec water sports centre and make your way on the Goyen towards Pont-Croix. The best time is just before high tide.

Level: easy

4,5 km – Around 1h30 of walking

Our tips

Where to sleep in Audierne?

Naéco Hostels
Hotel Au roi Gradlon

Where to dine?

La case de l’oncle Tom on Sein Island – €€€€
Le Tatoon on Sein Island – €€
Restaurant of the hotel Ar Men on Sein Island – €€ à €€€
Le Comptoir de l’Iroise in Audierne – €€
La Quincaillerie in Audierne – €€

Where to find information?

Information point – Mairie de l’île de Sein
Tourist office of Cap Sizun – Pointe du Raz, Audierne office

How to get around?

By bus: line 52 and 53 from Quimper bus station
By taxi: see itirando.bzh
Crossing to Sein island: Compagnie maritime Penn ar Bed

02 Step 02

From Audierne to Pouldreuzic

Starting point: Audierne port

Arrival: Pouldreuzic, Penhors

Are you ready for a change? Today, you’re leaving Cap Sizun for Pays Bigouden. Take a gentle walk along the beautiful white sandy beaches in Audierne bay: Kersiny, Mesperleuc, Gwendrez, etc. You’ll reach Pors-Poulhan harbour, welcomed by a sculpture of a proud Bigouden woman. Where the cliffs end, the stretches of pebble begin. Wander between the marshes and the ocean to the Droits de l’Homme standing stone on Kerrest beach. Just another 4 km and you’ll arrive in Pouldreuzic, near Notre-Dame de Penhors chapel, a pilgrimage site. A taxi will take you to Plomeur for the night.

Tame the wave!

Audierne bay is the ideal spot for trying out water sports. Whether you fancy surfing, bodyboarding, kite surfing, etc., there are many schools offering lessons and equipment rental (Soul Surfing Skol; ESB Penhors; BZH Surf School). Or you could opt for a calmer SUP outing along the coast with Les enfants de la côte. In Penhors, with Plein Ouest, you can also speed across the sand on-board a sand yacht!

Beginner to intermediate level

17,5 km – Around 4h30 of walking

Our tips

Where to sleep in Plomeur?

Surf camp d’ESB La Torche
Hotel Breiz Armor

Where to dine?

Penn ar Bed, Penhors beach in Plovan – €€
Restaurant of the hotel Breiz Armor, Penhors beach, in Pouldreuzic – €€ à €€€

What to do?

Visit the archaeological site of Menez Dregan at Pointe du Souc’h

Where to find information?

Tourist office of Cap Sizun – Point du Raz, Plouhinec office
Tourist office of Haut Pays Bigouden, Plozévet office

03 Step 03

From Plomeur to Guilvinec

Starting point: Plomeur, Pointe de la Torche

Arrival: Le Guilvinec port

Watch the surfers perform a series of manoeuvres at La Torche, such as rollers, floaters, etc. Impressive! Then, go south towards Pointe de Penmarc’h. You’ll walk on along a very jagged coastline amidst rocks with amusing shapes. Rabbit ears here, a corkscrew there… accompanied by a wonderful view all the way. After reaching Saint-Guénolé, a small harbour on the tip of the world, don’t forget to climb the 307 steps of Eckmühl lighthouse. Or at least take a look at its opaline staircase: it’s so instagrammable! After the fine sandy beach of Ster, you’ll reach Guilvinec harbour. Don’t miss the colourful display of fishing boats coming back into harbour at around 4pm.

Meet you on the line up!

At La Torche, surfing is a must. Take a lesson with one of the well-known schools (ESB, 29 Hood, Rise Up) and perfect your take-off on “the” Breton break beach. You can enjoy another wonderful experience on-board the Soizen rigid-hulled inflatable boat looking for seals and dolphins off the coast.

Beginner to intermediate level

16 km – Around 4h of walking

Our tips

Where to sleep near Guilvinec?

Collective accommodation Bigouden Backpaker in Léchiagat

Where to dine?

Le Poisson d’avril, Le Guilvinec – €€
An Atoll, Le Guilvinec – €€
La chaumière, Le Guilvinec – €€

What to do?

Haliotika, the city of fishing in Guilvinec
Sea trip with le Soizen

Where to find information?

Tourist office of Pays Bigouden sud, Penmarc’h office or Guilvinec office

04 Step 04

dgustation-de-langoustines-gaelle-le-boulicaut-morbihan-tourisme-la-perle-de-quehan.jpg

From Guilvinec to Loctudy

Starting point: Le Guilvinec port

Arrival: Loctudy, marina

From port to port. Today, you’ll link up Le Guilvinec, Lesconil and Loctudy, which represent the first French fresh fishery unit. First follow the fragile Treffiagat dunes on the green route (easier) or on the beach… You can see the Goudoul rocks: Lesco’, as insiders call it, is not far now! You’ll definitely fall under the spell of this little harbour and its typical fishermen’s houses. After crossing the Ster ria, you’ll be back in the dunes along this magnificent Sables Blancs beach. When you arrive, succumb to the “Demoiselles de Loctudy”. In other words, langoustines, the emblematic seafood product of Bigouden. They taste even better when bought direct from the producer!

Nautical pleasures and other delights

The day’s walk has made you hungry, of course. Enjoy a kayak outing with tasting sessions with the Loctudy water sports centre. On the way, you’ll make stops to enjoy local products. You can also hire a windsurf, SUP, kayak, catamaran, etc., and enjoy a safe outing on a supervised stretch of water.

Beginner to intermediate level

18,5 km – Around 4h45 of walking

Our tips

Where to sleep in Loctudy?

Camping de Kergall (early May to late September)
Hôtel de Loctudy
Guest Rooms Balade Océane

Where to dine?

Tara, cantine de mer in Plobannalec-Lesconil – €€
Bistrot du port in Plobannalec-Lesconil – €€ à €€€
Crêperie de Lodonnec in Loctudy – €€
AC Le levier in Loctudy – €€ à €€€

Where to find information?

Tourist office of Pays bigouden sud – Guilvinec office, Lesconil office and Loctudy office

05 Step 05

From Loctudy to Bénodet

Starting point: Loctudy marina

Arrival: Bénodet

From Loctudy, take a short cut to Tudy island. From the marina, the ferry takes you to the slipway just opposite. On the way, take a photo of Tourelle des Perdrix lighthouse dressed in black and white chequers. Enjoy a coffee with a view of Pont-l’Abbé river, and you’re off! The coastal path, alongside beaches and polders, takes you to the small harbour of Sainte-Marine. It’s quite adorable with its sailors’ shelter, chapel and numerous terraces. Another crossing, this time on the P’tit Bac, and you’ll land on the other side of the Odet, in Bénodet. If you’re not in a hurry, take time to stroll around this seaside resort. At the end of the day, return by coach or taxi to Quimper.

Beginner to intermediate level

7 km – 1h30 walking and 2 sea crossings of 15 minutes each

Our tips

Where to eat on the way?

Crêperie de la Cale in l’île Tudy – €€
Crêperie de l’abri in Sainte-Marine – €€
Café du port in Sainte-Marine – €€
Bistrot du port in Sainte-Marine – €€
L’Alhambra in Bénodet – €€

Where to sleep, eat, have a drink in Quimper?

Where to find information?

Tourist office of destination Pays bigouden sud – Loctudy, île Tudy, Sainte-Marine
Tourist office of Bénodet

How to get around?

Loctudy-Île Tudy sea crossing: Le passeur
Sainte-Marine–Bénodet sea crossing: Les Vedettes de l’Odet – Pedestrian ferry
By coach: line 41b Bénodet-Quimper
By taxi: see itirando.bzh

Ready to go?

Our tips to make your life easier

Come by train

Arrival : Quimper station

Getting around

BreizhGo: your personalised bus route, on Internet and mobile
Itirando: find your route and all the information on available modes of transport

Transfer luggage

Prepare your hike

Munissez-vous du topoguide de la FFRP : Ref. 348 – La pointe du Raz et les Montagnes Noires – GR®34
Explore the MonGR website, the reference to find out everything about the GR routes
Itirando: find your route and all the information on available modes of transport