Boucle Locmaria - Port Andro

Country walking circuits, Long trekking paths, Short circuit walks, Walks and hikes, Walking/pedestrian in Locmaria

8.0 km

Loop

Walks and hikes

Medium

Alerte

Along the trail, you will pass through wild areas whose beauty is due in part to the absence of infrastructure. For this reason, you will find no bins, water points nor toilets. You must therefore carry out all of your waste (including toilet paper) and plan ahead for the amount of water you will need before leaving your accommodation.

Please note that as of June 20th 2022, walking poles with metal tips are prohibited along the entirety of Belle-Île’s coastal trail. The use of walking poles without metallic tips, or equipped with rubber tips remains permitted.
These measures have been taken due to the increased risk of trail erosion and vegetation damage caused by the use of walking poles, in order to preserve the quality and long-term sustainability of the trail.

The path can be quite steep, and slippery after rain. Wear appropriate footwear, remain vigilant, do not approach cliff edges, and do not leave children or pets unsupervised.

The trail is open to all pedestrian activities: hikers, walkers, and trail runners.
Common sense and courtesy rules apply to ensure everyone’s safety.

Help us monitor the trails: [email protected]

Starting from Locmaria, this loop to Port Andro includes technical sections of the GR trail and offers panoramic views of coves and sandy beaches. Guard posts mark the route for hikers along the coast.

Departure

Locmaria
Difference in height

236.41 m
Route interest

The Guardhouses:
Since the 17th century, coastal defense was ensured by earthworks and batteries wherever an enemy might have landed. By the mid-19th century, there were around forty batteries, complemented by small structures used as guardhouses for defensive troops. Between 1859 and 1862, these were replaced by fourteen nearly identical buildings, serving as defensive barracks and capable of mounting artillery on their terraces. Sold at auction to private individuals from the late 19th century onward, they often lost their military appearance due to modifications made by their new owners (replacement of crenellated terraces with roofs, opening of windows, etc.). Locals of Belle-Île call them “fortins” (small forts); the most famous is the “fortin of Sarah Bernhardt,” at Pointe des Poulains.
Documentation
GPX / KML files allow you to export the trail of your hike to your GPS (or other navigation tool)

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How to reach the start

Descend toward Port Maria, a small charming beach set at the junction of two valleys and protected by a series of earthworks. Set slightly back from the beach, a 19th-century guardhouse defends the inland exits.

Steps

Continuing north, the remains of the Port Maria battery overlook the inlet’s mouth. The initially steep path follows a heath-covered plateau. After crossing two valleys—the second particularly steep—you reach Pointe de Kerzo, site of a former artillery battery and a viewpoint overlooking, in the distance, the Arzic guardhouse.

The trail, sometimes running high above the cliffs, dips three times into valleys before reaching the road leading to Port Andro, a magnificent beach.

It was here, in 1761, that British troops landed, subsequently occupying the island for two years. On the right stands a 19th-century guardhouse.

Climb the road to the left for about 500 metres toward Locmaria. On the left, a dirt road leads to the village of Kerzo.

At the exit of Kerzo, take a small grassy path on the left leading to Borderenne, crossing a clearing and turning left, then right. On arrival, note several old longères on the right; one, dated 1828, features an external staircase with a well beneath it.

Continue toward Locmaria.

236 meters of difference in height

Start altitude : 47 m
End altitude : 10 m
Maximum altitude : 56 m
Minimum altitude : 3 m

Total positive elevation : 236 m
Total negative elevation : -273 m
Max positive elevation : 33 m
Min positive elevation : -41 m