Coastal Path to the Pointe du Grouin

What it is

The GR34, the customs officers' path, runs along the Brittany coast, and between Cancale and the Pointe du Grouin it makes one of its most rewarding stretches: it leaves the port of La Houle, follows the cliff edge with the oyster beds below and the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel on the right, passes coves and the beach of Port-Mer and ends at the headland. The path was opened in 1969, is reserved for walkers and, in the words of the town council, has relief that is sometimes marked but always easy.

• Distance: about 5 km each way, about 10 km there and back.
• Time: about 3 hours there and back without long stops.
• Difficulty: easy, with short ups and downs; some stretches are steep for a few metres.
• Waymarking: that of the GR, in white and red.

Where it starts and where to park

It leaves from the port of La Houle, in the lower part of Cancale. Park up above, in the port car park, next to La Ville Ballet, which is free, and walk down to the quay. The car parks next to the port are paid by the hour.

The route step by step

1. The port of La Houle. From the end of the quay, next to the oyster market, take the path that climbs north along the coast.
2. Above the beds. The first kilometres run along the top of the cliff, with views of the oyster beds, which are exposed at low tide.
3. Coves and viewpoints. The path goes down and up several times between small coves. They are short climbs.
4. Port-Mer. You pass Port-Mer beach, Cancale's family beach, with a water-sports centre and restaurants. It is a good place to stop or to shorten the route.
5. The Pointe du Grouin. The last stretch climbs to the headland, with the Île des Landes in front and, on clear days, Mont-Saint-Michel about 25 km away.

Return the same way. Beyond the Grouin, the GR34 continues west towards Saint-Malo.

Water, shade and season

Bring water from Cancale; in summer you can top up at Port-Mer. Almost the whole route is exposed, with no shade. Spring and autumn are the best seasons; in summer set off early. In strong wind, keep away from the cliff edge. In rain, the earth stretches are slippery: wear footwear with a hiking sole. If the weather changes, Port-Mer is the natural way out to the road.

With children or with a dog

With children who can walk, it is an easy route: you can shorten it and stay at Port-Mer with the beach as a reward. Holding hands on the stretches near the edge. With a dog, on a lead. The town council warns that vipers have been seen west of the Pointe du Grouin: watch where you tread if you go further.

More routes from Cancale

The town council also suggests an urban walk of about 2.5 km through the upper part of the village and the old fishermen's quarter of La Houle, and circuits towards Port-Briac and a large tour of Cancale, with a PDF leaflet on its website.

Sleeping beside the path

The Pointe du Grouin municipal campsite has the path at the door, and the Camping de Loisirs Port-Mer Plage is next to Port-Mer beach.