Walking Holiday in Brittany, Northern France | Coast of Legends

Your Holiday at a Glance


Independent walking holiday	Brittany's Coast of Legends: Part 2, Aber Wrac'h - Conquet or Brest
Dates for 2022	Everday (subject to availability) from 1 April to 31 October
Price	7 night holiday: From £885 (single supplement: £330) 7 night holiday: From €995 (single supplement: €365) 9 night holiday: From £1020 (single supplement: £390) 9 night holiday: From €1155 (single supplement: €440) Option of extra night in Brest Loyalty scheme reduction applies for returning customers (see terms and conditions)
Grade
Profile	7 or 9 nights - 6 or 8 days independent walking moving between guest houses.
Highlights	Beautiful sandy bays and beaches enclosed by rocky headlands The long tidal estuaries (or Abers) of Wrac’h, Benoit & Ildut Pretty harbours & villages of Portsall & Conquet A multitude of headlands, sandy bays, rocky shelves and tiny islands Cliff walking along the Atlantic Coast and the Western most point in France (Pointe Carsen) Explore historic port of Brest Lots of pre-historic interest with burial chambers and standing stones Flexibility to add or remove walking days as required
Accommodation and Meals	7 or 9 nights' accommodation in several charming hotels (mainly 3 star) and guest houses in double or twin rooms with own bathrooms. A variety of styles with good hospitality and comfortable accommodation throughout.
What's included	7 or 9 nights' accommodation All breakfasts, 3 evening meals and one lunch for both options Full walking notes and maps (see more information) Transport of luggage between guest houses Transfer at the start of your holiday from Brest to Aber Wrac'h Read more information about our independent walking & trekking holidays
What's not included	Travel to and from Brest in France, all lunches (except one), 4 or 6 evening meals, drinks, any excursions or entrance fees, insurance
	Return to list of independent walking holidays Also see our self guided walking holiday on Brittany's Granite Coast Part 1 of Brittany's Coast of Legends walking holiday Return to Home Page of High Point Holidays

Brittany's Coast of Legends Part 2 Walking Holiday

Your self-guided walking holiday takes you along the northern Finistere coast in Brittany heading west from Aber Wrac'h and going around the cliffs at the most westerly point in France before heading to towards Brest. This independent holiday is the second part of a two part walk between Roscoff and Brest. You'll either undertake a 7 night walking holiday which ends in Conquet or a 9 night walking holiday which ends in Brest.

The coast of Legends in Brittany has a thousand different faces, including dramatic cliffs, beautiful beaches, sand dunes and stretches of pebbles. The long estuaries or Abers create wide breaks in the coast. Starting with Aber Wrac'h, you'll go around two further estuaries as you head towards the western-most tip of Brittany. This section of coast is varied, each day changing in character. There are sections of large bays and dunes, smaller secluded bays, protected by wild headlands, rocky peninsulas and heather-covered cliffs.

One of the most striking features of this section of Brittany coast, however, is the multitude of tiny islands and rocky promontories which make this coast so difficult to navigate, making it a place of numerous shipwrecks and legends. After passing Pointe Carsen you'll reach Le Conquet with its historic buildings and lively harbour. You can choose to finish your walking holiday at this point or continue along a more difficult cliff-lined section of coast towards the historic port of Brest.

Walking profile

Walks on this self guided holiday in Brittany are on an undulating coastline alternating between easy and moderate walking, with distances varying between 14 & 22km per day. The average amount of ascent and descent in the day is 200m and the maximum is 350m on the 6 day walk and 650m on the 8 day walk. Some days feel harder as they constantly rise and descend, and so it is harder to find a rhythm. The paths are well maintained and for the most part are well sign posted as you are following the long distance GR34 coastal trail.

location map coast legends brittany brest

Day by Day

Day 1: Arrival in Aber Wrac'h

Arrive in Brest and transfer to Aber Wrac'h. Possibility of transfer from Roscoff (supplement).

Day 2: Aber Wrac'h - Kerasquer

From Aber Wrac’h you’ll head out and around the presqu'ile of Ste Marguerite with a multitude of off-shore islands and impressive views. A couple of large sandy bays lead you to another estuary, Aber Benoit. The landscape becomes hillier as you enter the estuary and find your B&B slightly inland. 18km, +340m

Day 3: Kerasquer - St Pabu

From your guest house you’ll finish the tour of Aber Benoit estuary. The estuary is bordered by wooded slopes with headlands and tributary bays and inlets. The views vary according to the state of the tide from a wide waterway at high tide to exposed channels and mudflats at low tide. Finish the day in the village of St Pabu. (Possible transfer depending on availability of accommodation). 15km, +80m

Day 4: St Pabu - Portsall

From St Pabu, exit the estuary of Aber Benoit and then follow a section of coast with immense sandy bays and dunes. Off-shore islands and rocky shelves provide the decor for these bays. From these wide expanses you’ll pass around a series of beautiful small bays and low headlands to reach the pretty harbour at Portsall. 15km, +120m

Day 5: Portsall - Porspoder

Head around the bays at Portsall before leaving the built up area behind, passing Neolithic monuments to walk along an unspoilt and beautiful section of rocky coast. A multitude of headlands, bays, islands and almost cut-off peninsulas then follow which can be quite disorientating, but relaxing at the same time. Make your way around this complex coast to your eco-hotel on the coast at Porspoder. 16km, +120m

Day 6: Porspoder - Aber Ildut

You are now facing the Atlantic as you head south from Porspoder along good paths above rocky shelves and bays. This leads you to the next estuary Aber Ildut. This is a narrower estuary than the previous ones and the walking goes back and forth around numerous small channels. Transfer to your accommodation. 21km, +190m

Day 7: Aber Ildut - Le Conquet

Transfer back to the Atlantic coast as the shoreline becomes wilder with good walking along granite cliffs. You’ll pass Pointe du Corsen which is the most westerly point in France. The series of cliffs are interspersed by isolated sand bays before you reach a final stretch of beautiful white sands which ends at Pointe de Kermorvan. Cross the estuary to reach the beautiful port of Le Conquet with its historic buildings and lively harbour. 17km, +350m

7 night, 6 day walking holiday ends in Le Conquet.

Day 8: Departure or Le Conquet - Plougonvelin

Bus journey to Brest after breakfast on 7 night version (not included in price) or:

Continue along cliff tops overlooking the Atlantic Coast, passing Ponte Saint-Mathieu with its abbey ruins dating from the 12th century. It is also possible to climb the 163 steps of the lighthouse which sits on this peninsula on the edge of the Brest estuary. The coastal path then passes close to Fort Bertheaume as you now head East towards Brest. Here you'll find secluded beaches sheltered from the westerly winds. Transfer to Le Conquet. 14km, +400m

Day 9: Plougonvelin - Brest

After a transfer back to where you finished the day before, continue to head East, passing more historic forts protecting the coast and lighthouses showing the channel that the boats need to take to reach Brest, which is the 2nd largest military port in France. This is a much more difficult section of coast with the coastal path undulating between small headlands and narrow inlets. Transfer from near the entrance to Brest to your hotel in the centre.

Day 10: Departure

Departure after breakfast.

Possible to book additional nights in Brest.

pointe corsen brittany walking trail

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burial chamber brittany coastal path

Take a look at other independent coastal walking holidays in France - Pyrenees Coastal Trail - Calanques Provence

Accommodation & Meals

Mainly charming and friendly 3 star hotels on this Brittany walking holiday in France. Very comfortable accommodation. We leave you the choice of restaurants and/or menus on many nights so that you can manage your budget. Good hospitality and comfortable accommodation throughout your stay with ensuite rooms. Tasty regional cuisine. Below you'll find examples of the different types of accommodation we use.

Name	Type	Details	Rating
Kerasquer B&B	Guest house	On the edge of the Aber Benoit estuary you’ll find the Kerasquer B&B, located in a renovated farm, mixing historic and modern architecture. The B&B is located in a quiet location a couple of kilometres from Lannilis. Kerasquer contains 4 spacious and comfortable rooms, as well as an enclosed garden and sunny patio to relax after your walk.
Hotel Vinotiere, Le Conquet	Hotel	Located in the historic centre of Le Conquet, you’ll find the 3 star Hotel Le Vinotiere. Only 50m away from the ancient fishing port it offers a warm and relaxing atmosphere. La Vinotiere hotel is a 16th century house which was entirely renovated in 2007 and has ten individually decorated rooms each a tasteful mix of ancient stone, wood and contemporary materials. The reception area is part of a large lounge with a fireplace and a magnificent original stone staircase leading to the upper floors.	3 stars

Travel Options

Make your own way to Brest. Transfer included from Brest to first guest house in Aber Wrac'h. Transfers also possible from Roscoff for a supplement.

By Ferry:

Brittany Ferries run boats from Plymouth to Roscoff in Brittany. Drive to Aber Wrac'h. Please contact us about possibilities for parking your car for the week.