GR 34 to the Cap de la Chèvre

What it is

The Cap de la Chèvre, Beg penn ar roz in Breton, is the southern tip of the Crozon peninsula. It closes the Bay of Douarnenez opposite the Cap Sizun and rises more than 100 m above the sea, covered in heather and gorse heath. On clear days you can see from the top the Cap Sizun, the Île de Sein, Pen-Hir, the Pointe Saint-Mathieu, Ouessant and Molène. It is a protected site, within the Armorique Regional Natural Park, and the Conservatoire du littoral maintains the heath with sheep after restoring it in the 1990s and 2000s, when uncontrolled foot traffic had damaged it.

At the point are the Navy's semaphore, rebuilt in 1971 after its destruction in 1944, which watches over the bay, and the naval aviation monument, installed in one of the four emplacements of a coastal battery of 1939. It commemorates 646 sailors killed in air service.

The routes

The GR 34, the customs officers' path, links Morgat with the Cap de la Chèvre along the east coast, above the cliffs of the bay. Hiking guides give between about 10 and 13 km one way, with 4 h 30 to 5 h of walking and steep passages. There are three ways to do it:

• Morgat – Cap de la Chèvre one way, with someone to pick you up at the point. It leaves the port of Morgat, passes above the sea caves and the cove of the Île Vierge, and ends at the semaphore.
• Loop of the cape from Morgat, along the east coast on the way out and the west, above the Bay of Dinan and the Palue beach, on the way back: depending on the variant, from 17 to almost 24 km. It is a full and demanding day.
• Short loop from the semaphore car park, about 7 km, suitable for families.

Waymarking is that of the GR: white and red marks. Carry the map or the route downloaded on your phone.

Difficulty, water and shade

The Morgat stretch has ups and downs through the coves and rocky passages beside the edge. Wear hiking footwear. There is no shade or fountains on the heath: bring at least a litre and a half of water per person, a hat and sun cream. For lunch, set out with your food: at the point do not count on services.

Getting there and parking

By car, from Crozon follow the signs to the Cap de la Chèvre along the road that runs down the middle of the south arm of the peninsula; at the end there is parking near the semaphore. If you do the route from Morgat, park in the village, next to the port.

When to go

From April to June and in September, with mild temperatures and few people. In summer set off early to avoid the heat on the heath. In strong west wind or fog, avoid the edge: the path runs at times very close to the drop.

With children or with a dog

With children, the 7 km loop from the semaphore or a there-and-back walk to the point. Dogs on a lead: the Conservatoire's sheep graze on the heath.

From the sea

If you do not want to walk, Vedettes Sirènes leaves from Morgat on circuit 03, Cap de la Chèvre and Anse de Saint-Nicolas, of 1 h 15, for €29 per adult and €19 for ages 4 to 12. More detail in the entry on the Morgat caves.

On your return, Morgat beach is the place for a swim.