A guidebook to walking the northern section of the GR34 Brittany Coast Path, following 624km (388 mile) of dramatic coastline from Mont-Saint-Michel to Roscoff. Known as the Sentier des Douaniers or Customs Officers’ Path, the trail traces one of France’s most celebrated long-distance routes, revealing a constantly changing landscape of rugged cliffs, sweeping bays, sandy beaches and rocky headlands. Along the way, walkers pass historic ports, traditional fishing villages and lively seaside towns, experiencing the distinctive character, history and culture of Brittany.

Suitable for any moderately fit walker, this section of the GR34 can be completed in around a month and requires no technical skills. The route is described from east to west in manageable daily stages, allowing walkers to experience the full variety of Brittany’s coastline at a comfortable pace. For those with less time, the guide also highlights shorter itineraries that capture some of the most spectacular scenery and rewarding sections of the trail.

• The Brittany Coast Path is described in 28 stages of between 13 and 33km, with clear step-by-step route descriptions, detailed mapping and route summary tables to help you plan daily distances and accommodation.
• Includes 1:100,000 mapping for each stage, larger-scale maps for towns and key locations, like Saint-Malo, Saint-Laurent de la Mer, Morlaix, Carantec and Roscoff.
• GPX files for the Brittany Coast Path available to download for easy navigation on digital devices.
• Comprehensive practical information on accommodation, food and refreshments, public transport connections and local facilities, making it easy to organise and adapt your GR34 itinerary.
• Includes four suggested 5-day highlight itineraries, ideal for walkers who want to experience the highlights of the Brittany Coast Path on a shorter trip.
• Helpful planning advice covering preparation, travel to and from the route, accommodation listings, and tips for walking a long-distance coastal trail.

Following in the footsteps of the customs officers who once patrolled this coast to prevent smuggling, the GR34 offers an unforgettable journey through one of France’s most beautiful and culturally rich regions. With ever-changing sea views, abundant wildlife and countless opportunities to enjoy Breton hospitality and cuisine, this guide provides everything you need to explore this remarkable coastline with confidence.

The Brittany Coast Path - Quick Facts

Trail name: GR34 Brittany Coast Path (Sentier des Douaniers)
Location: Brittany, north coast of France
Designation: Grande Randonnée (GR34) long-distance trail
Distance: 624km / 388 miles (Mont-Saint-Michel to Roscoff section)
Typical duration: Around 4 weeks to complete the full section
Start: Mont-Saint-Michel
End: Roscoff
Route format: Linear long-distance coastal walk
Stages: 28 stages, each between 13 and 33km (8–20 miles)
Navigation: Well waymarked with standard red-and-white GR markings
Terrain: Coastal paths, cliff-top trails, beaches, estuaries, woodland and heathland
Difficulty: Moderate, with generally good paths but frequent ascents and descents along the coastline
Best season: Late spring and early autumn (May–June and September) for favourable weather and fewer crowds
Accommodation: Wide range including hotels, guesthouses, campsites and gîtes in seaside towns and villages

Author Highlight

“One outstanding feature of hiking along the GR34 is variety. There are memorable traverses across steep slopes high above rocky shores where waves crash, such as between Pointe du Grouin and Pointe du Meinga (Stage 3) and from Locquémeau to Saint-Michel-en-Grève (Stage 23). Elsewhere, the trail stays closer to the water, passing innumerable beaches. Some of those beaches are vast expanses of sand in front of towns that attract many visitors; others are cosy crescents of sand, barely accessible to anyone but a walker on the GR34. The trail also passes through forests and crosses heathland, often beside coastal cliffs and in sight of the sea. The heathland sparkles in the spring with yellow gorse and broom, complemented in the summer by purple heather.”

- Carroll Dorgan, author of Walking the Brittany Coast Path

Map key

Overview map

Route summary table

Introduction

What it’s like to hike on the north Brittany coast

Geology

Wildlife

History

Culture

When to go

Getting there and around

Accommodation

Clothing and equipment

Waymarking

Maps

Money

Staying in touch

Health and safety

Using this guide

The Brittany Coast Path

Stage 1           Mont-Saint-Michel to Saint-Broladre

Stage 2           Saint-Broladre to Cancale

Stage 3           Cancale to La Guimorais

Stage 4           La Guimorais to Saint-Malo

Stage 5           Saint-Malo to Lancieux

Stage 6           Lancieux to Saint-Cast-le-Guildo

Stage 7           Saint-Cast-le-Guildo to Petit Trécelin

Stage 8           Petit Trécelin to Sables-d’Or-les-Pins

Stage 9           Sables-d’Or-les-Pins to Pléneuf-Val-André

Stage 10         Pléneuf-Val-André to Hillion

Stage 11         Hillion to Saint-Laurent-de-la-Mer

Stage 12         Saint-Laurent-de-la-Mer to Saint-Quay-Portrieux

Stage 13         Saint-Quay-Portrieux to Bréhec

Stage 14         Bréhec to Paimpol

Stage 15         Paimpol to Lézardrieux

Stage 16         Lézardrieux to Le Québo

Stage 17         Le Québo to Tréguier

Stage 18         Tréguier to Port Blanc

Stage 19         Port Blanc to Perros-Guirec

Stage 20         Perros-Guirec to Trégastel (Coz Pors)

Stage 21         Trégastel (Coz Pors) to Île Grande

Stage 22         Île Grande to Le Yaudet

Stage 23         Le Yaudet to Locquirec

Stage 24         Locquirec to Plougasnou

Stage 25         Plougasnou to Saint-Samson

Stage 26         Saint-Samson to Morlaix

Stage 27         Morlaix to Carantec

Stage 28         Carantec to Roscoff

Appendix A     Four 5-day itineraries on the GR34

Appendix B     Facilities table

Appendix C     Accommodation

Appendix D     Transport

Appendix E     Useful contacts

Appendix F     Glossary

Seasons

The GR34 can be hiked at any time of the year, but - taking into account weather and holiday crowds - the best periods are late spring and early autumn.

Centres

Cancale; Saint-Malo; Dinard; Saint-Cast-le-Guildo; Sables-d'Or-les-Pins; Erquy; Pléneuf-Val-André; Saint-Brieuc; Binic; Saint-Quay-Portrieux; Paimpol; Lézardrieux; Tréguier; Perros-Guirec; Trébeurden; Lannion; Locquirec; Morlaix; Carantec; Roscoff

Difficulty

There are no technical challenges on the GR34; any fit walker can enjoy this trek. The GR34 is not a mountain trail: there are extensive sections of level walking. The trail does, however, climb and descend many slopes - never very long but steep in places.

Must See

Mont-Saint-Michel; Emerald Coast; coastal cliffs between Pointe du Grouin and La Guimorais; Fort La Latte; Cap Fréhel; Cap d'Erquy; Sillon de Talbert; Castel Meur; Sept Îles bird sanctuary; Pink Granite Coast; Beg an Fry; boulder-strewn coast between Pointe du Diben and Pointe Annalouesten; Barnénez Cairn

May 2022

Museum closures

May 2022

Accommodation update

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