If you are on holiday or touring in central Finistere, the following selection will provide you with varied walks in the area.
1) Lac du Drennec (near Sizun/Commana)
This provides a level walk of 7 kms around the lake (with good views of the Monts d’Arrée), and can be combined with swimming from the ‘beaches’ or rocks and a visit to the lakeside creperie.
2) Chateauneuf-du-Faou A peaceful 8.5km circuit including the Nantes-Brest canal and views of the Chateau de Trevarez is included in Walking in Finistere by Wendy Mewes (see Books page).
3) Huelgoat
For idyllic forest walking with streams and the famous granite ‘chaos’ this is hard to beat. Many paths run through the wooded areas to the north and east of the town. For a quieter alternative, from the mairie, walk out to the old mine and back to the town along the River Argent (8 kms).
4) Monts d’Arrée
Explore the highest hills in Brittany, with wild open moorland and low lying marshes around the Reservoir de St-Michel. The 8km Circuit du Roc’h Bicourel from Botmeur has excellent views; for a longer hike, start at the Ferme des Artisans carpark (on the D785, near the landmark chapel of St-Michel) and follow the Landes et Tourbieres route for 14 kms, combining the best highs and lows of this spectacular scenery.
5) Cap de la Chèvre
For a wild walk on the Atlantic coast, follow a 9km marked circuit from the car-park on the southern tip of the Crozon peninsula.
6) Camaret
From this pretty harbour town dominated by the distinctive Tour Vauban, there is a fine stretch of coastal walking up over the cliffs to the Pointe de Pen-hir Resistance monument. The route can include the unusual Neolithic alignments at Lagatjar, the eerie ruins of the Manoir de Coecilian and the Museum of the Battle of the Atlantic.
©Wendy Mewes / brittanywalks.com