Day Hiking along the GR 34 in Northern BrittanyWith Moon & Honey Travel

Day hiking along the GR 34 in Northern Brittany

Influencers Kati and Sabrina share the day-hiking itinerary they followed along the GR34 coastal trail. Use this guide to discover some of the best coastal trails of Northern Brittany.

Suggestion for break in

5 days

Itinerary

This route across Northern Brittany is all about sampling the GR 34 Custom Officers’ Path, a long-distance hiking trail that traces the Breton Coast for over 2,000 km. Over the course of five days, we walked scenic stretches of the famed trail along the Emerald Coast, Goëlo Coast, Pink Granite Coast, and Bay of Morlaix. These coastal walks combine dazzling seascapes with visits to imposing lighthouses, medieval castles, gothic abbeys, and gourmet restaurants. Use this guide to discover some of the best coastal trails of Northern Brittany.

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5

Cap Fréhel to Fort la Latte Coastal Hike

After picking up our rental car at Nantes Atlantique Airport, we drove 2:30 hours to the Emerald Coast of Northern Brittany. The 60-kilometer-long Emerald Coast, spanning the departments of Ille-et-Vilaine and Côtes-d’Armor, is home to the region’s most illustrious seaside resorts, including Dinard, Saint-Malo, and Saint-Briac-sur-Mer. West of the glistening resorts lies the low-key resort of Sables-d’Or-Les-Pins, our base for our first adventure along the GR 34. From Sables d’Or Les Pins, we drove 15 minutes to Cap Fréhel , a headland crowned by an imposing angular lighthouse and home to hundreds of sea birds. From the lighthouse, we walked along the GR 34 east to the medieval castle Fort La Latte. The gorse-lined, clifftop trail affords sweeping views of sea cliffs crashing into the cerulean sea. But, the absolute highlight is seeing the 14th-century seaside fortress. Allow 3 hours to hike this 10.8 km trail out-and-back. We ended our day with a gourmet seasonal dinner at Hôtel de Diane, the best place to dine and stay in Sables d’Or Les Pins.

Allow 3 hours to hike this 10.8 km trail out-and-back.
There is a 3-hour limit at the Cap Fréhel car park. If you want to visit the castle property, start the hike at Fort La Latte car park, as there are no parking time restrictions.
We ended our day with a gourmet seasonal dinner at Hôtel de Diane, the best place to dine and stay in Sables d’Or Les Pins.

Route des Falaises and Paimpol

Our road trip continues west to the port town of Paimpol, nestled along the Goëlo coast in the Côtes-d’Armor department of Brittany. Before visiting the town, make your way to Pointe de Bilfot to hike a section of the undulating Route des Falaises (Route of the Cliffs) along the GR 34. From Pointe de Bilfot, we suggest hiking east to Pointe de Minard a (6.2 km out-and-back / 2 hours needed). With more time, continue further to Pointe de Pors Pin. Those interested in oyster farming, can hike from Pointe de Bilfot to Port Lazo. The seafront Beauport Abbey is a worthy stop on your way to Paimpol. Much of the 13th-century gothic complex is a ruin, although well-preserved.

After the hike, eat lunch at the stellar Crêperie L’Ost-Pic in the village of Plouézec, a 7-minute drive from Pointe de Bilfot.
Visit Paimpol and nearby Loguivy de la Mer before settling into the welcoming Les Hauts de Kérano, a 3-star hotel in Paimpol with an excellent on-site restaurant.

Pontrieux, Plougrescant, Perros-Guirec

Day 3 of our road trip leads further west to Perros-Guirec, a seaside resort located along the Pink Granite Coast.
After a delicious homemade breakfast at Les Hauts de Kérano, drive 25 minutes to Pontrieux. This picturesque village on the banks of the Trieux river is renowned for its 50 riverside washhouses known as lavoirs. In the 1800s, bourgeois families maintained these private washhouses to ensure privacy, often overseen by family matrons from above. From May to September, young locals offer an electric river boat tour, showcasing these historic lavoirs for 5 EUR. On our way to the Plougrescant coast, we stopped by Tréguier, an attractive port town with 57 half-timbered houses and an impressive gothic cathedral. From the Gouffre de Plougrescant car park, follow the GR 34 along a remarkably rugged stretch of Breton coast, scattered with granite rocks.

pontrieux-maison-a-pans-de-bois-a-lamoureux-galerie2.jpg

- For a flexible lunch today, pick up a picnic from the family-run Au Traiteur et Fromager de la Vieille Tour in Paimpol. Pre-order by phone or email.
- On a sunny day, eat dinner at Le Coste Mer , a beachfront restaurant at Plage Saint Guirec
- End the day in the lovely, sea-facing Hôtel Les Costans in Perros-Guirec. They offer tapas and cheese and charcuterie platters in the evening, suitable for a light dinner.

Pink Granite Coast Hike

The Pink Granite Coast stands as a stunning testament to the raw power of nature and time. Between Trégastel and Perros-Guirec, the shore is adorned with copper-pink granite formations shaped over millennia by the relentless forces of nature. The best way to discover the Pink Granite Coast is by walking along the GR 34 from Trégastel to Perros-Guirec. Take a taxi in the morning to Plage du Coz-Pors and spend the day ambling along the coast all the way back to your accommodation. This 15 km point-to-point hike takes 4:30 hours without breaks. Read our complete guide to this Pink Granite Coast hike for a complete description.

Along the way, eat lunch in Ossa Bar À Galettes at Plage Saint Guirec.
Stay a second night in Perros-Guirec.

Morlaix bay and Roscoff

Morlaix Bay is located in the Finistère department of Brittany. This body of water, dotted with numerous islands and islets, harbors a wealth of treasures and attractions. One of our favorite experiences in Brittany was hiking the coastal trail along Morlaix Bay from Port de Térénez to Saint-Samson in Plougasnou. The path passes by striking rock formations and wild beaches.
Circuit back to Port de Térénez and continue your drive to Morlaix. Dedicate at least 2 hours to Morlaix, an eccentric town that was once a flourishing port in the Middle Ages. Visit La Maison à Pondalez to see the interior of a wealthy merchant’s house that exemplifies a unique architectural style that developed in Morlaix around the 16th century.
And finally, journey to the port town of Roscoff, an attractive cluster of granite houses and cobbled lanes.

You may want to detour to the nearby Cairn of Barnenez, the largest megalithic burial site in Europe, dating back to around 4800 BC.
At Plage de Guerzit, the trail turns inland and wanders to Restaurant La Maison de Kerdiès (make a reservation here in advance), the perfect destination for a mid-hike gourmet lunch
Eat fresh seafood at Chez Janie overlooking the old port.
Spend the night at the darling bed and breakfast La Brise.

Focus on

One of our favorite experiences in Brittany was hiking the coastal trail along Morlaix Bay from Port de Térénez to Saint-Samson in Plougasnou. The path passes by striking rock formations and wild beaches. At Plage de Guerzit, the trail turns inland and wanders to Restaurant La Maison de Kerdiès (make a reservation here in advance), the perfect destination for a mid-hike gourmet lunch.

Where to sleep

Les Hauts de Kérano

Hôtel Les Costans

Moon & Honey Travel

We’re Sabrina (USA) and Kati (Austria), the creators of Moon & Honey Travel, an outdoor travel blog dedicated to travelers who love to hike. We’re passionate hikers who are documenting the most beautiful trails in Europe, including day hikes, hut-to-hut routes, and coastal treks. We believe hiking is one of the best ways to authentically experience local cultures and local cuisine. Our blog inspires travelers of all ages to experience lesser-known hiking destinations and trails in the Alps, Balkans, Mediterranean, and Northern Europe.

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