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Boucle Locmaria - Port Lost-Kah
Walks and hikes
in Locmaria
12.0
km
Loop
Walks and hikes
3h
Hard
- Alerte
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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]
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A loop starting from Locmaria, an authentic village well worth a visit. The dazzling white Notre-Dame church is the oldest religious building on the island. This route allows you to hike to the island's highest points. A rocky landscape with cliffs and peaks awaits hikers. ⚠️ The GR trail is closed between Port-Coter and Pointe du Skeul due to a landslide.
- Departure
- Locmaria
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Difference in height
- 359.81 m
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Route interest
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The semaphore stations:
Of the four structures built in 1862 to house the semaphores and their keepers, the one on Pointe d’Arzic (Locmaria) is the only one to have survived in its “original” state. The one at Er-Hastellic (Sauzon) is in ruins and the last two have been modernized: the Taillefer semaphore (Le Palais), closed since 1999, and the Talut semaphore (Bangor), which is the only one still in operation on Belle-Île today.
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Documentation
- GPX / KML files allow you to export the trail of your hike to your GPS (or other navigation tool)
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- See all reviews
How to reach the start
Locmaria is a quiet village whose charming church—the oldest on the island—is well worth a visit. Turn left after the main square into a small lane typical of Locmaria. About 150 metres further on, turn right toward La Métairie.
Steps
Pass La Métairie and take the Port Blanc road on the left for about 350 metres. The road descends into a valley. At a bend, take the dirt track on the right climbing toward the village of Kergolay. In Kergolay, follow the road toward Port Coter.
In the village of Port Coter, turn right, then left onto a dirt track (signed no through road). Continue straight ahead, crossing a private property enclosed by two gates (pasture for dairy sheep: please close the gates carefully; bicycles prohibited; dogs allowed on a leash). Near the mill, turn left to reach the village of Bornor. Descend via a pleasant dirt path to the narrow cove of Port Loskah, where the coastal path is rejoined.
Turn left on the coastal path toward Port Skeul and Locmaria. The trail runs along particularly high cliffs, where natural features such as the Pylor rock and the Porthos cave can be seen, the latter mentioned in Alexandre Dumas’ Le Vicomte de Bragelonne. Descend to the rocky cove of Port Skeul.
Climb back up via a small wooden footbridge toward Pointe de Skeul, passing close to low stone walls. At Pointe de Skeul, the cliffs are the highest on the island and the views are extensive. Follow the coastal path along the cliff edge toward Port Blanc beach, passing the former semaphore station at Pointe d’Arzic.
Descend through a small wooded area to Port Blanc beach, a popular swimming spot. Below on the right stands the former guardhouse, consisting of a military redoubt and a Second Empire battery (private property).
At Port Blanc, a slipway—the last remaining feature of the former lifeboat station—still provides access to the sea for pleasure boats. This was once the “pilots’ harbour” of Locmaria, and part of the old jetty is still visible.
Climb toward Port Maria by the path on the left behind the wall closing off the beach. Here the trail leaves the wild coast, crosses a rocky promontory, passes through fern-filled valleys, and descends steeply toward Port Maria. The final section is demanding, especially for young children. To avoid this descent, an alternative path branches off about 300 metres earlier on the left toward Locmaria–La Métairie, then right at the village to return to the church square.
At Port Maria, admire the small beach. This narrow, deep inlet, closed by two retrenchments, was defended in the 18th century by a battery and in the 19th century by a defensive post, now converted into a residence.
Climb back up the valley—largely paved—to return to Locmaria’s church square.
In the village of Port Coter, turn right, then left onto a dirt track (signed no through road). Continue straight ahead, crossing a private property enclosed by two gates (pasture for dairy sheep: please close the gates carefully; bicycles prohibited; dogs allowed on a leash). Near the mill, turn left to reach the village of Bornor. Descend via a pleasant dirt path to the narrow cove of Port Loskah, where the coastal path is rejoined.
Turn left on the coastal path toward Port Skeul and Locmaria. The trail runs along particularly high cliffs, where natural features such as the Pylor rock and the Porthos cave can be seen, the latter mentioned in Alexandre Dumas’ Le Vicomte de Bragelonne. Descend to the rocky cove of Port Skeul.
Climb back up via a small wooden footbridge toward Pointe de Skeul, passing close to low stone walls. At Pointe de Skeul, the cliffs are the highest on the island and the views are extensive. Follow the coastal path along the cliff edge toward Port Blanc beach, passing the former semaphore station at Pointe d’Arzic.
Descend through a small wooded area to Port Blanc beach, a popular swimming spot. Below on the right stands the former guardhouse, consisting of a military redoubt and a Second Empire battery (private property).
At Port Blanc, a slipway—the last remaining feature of the former lifeboat station—still provides access to the sea for pleasure boats. This was once the “pilots’ harbour” of Locmaria, and part of the old jetty is still visible.
Climb toward Port Maria by the path on the left behind the wall closing off the beach. Here the trail leaves the wild coast, crosses a rocky promontory, passes through fern-filled valleys, and descends steeply toward Port Maria. The final section is demanding, especially for young children. To avoid this descent, an alternative path branches off about 300 metres earlier on the left toward Locmaria–La Métairie, then right at the village to return to the church square.
At Port Maria, admire the small beach. This narrow, deep inlet, closed by two retrenchments, was defended in the 18th century by a battery and in the 19th century by a defensive post, now converted into a residence.
Climb back up the valley—largely paved—to return to Locmaria’s church square.
- 360 meters of difference in height
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- Start altitude : 41 m
- End altitude : 11 m
- Maximum altitude : 69 m
- Minimum altitude : 5 m
- Total positive elevation : 360 m
- Total negative elevation : -390 m
- Max positive elevation : 29 m
- Min positive elevation : -39 m