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Boucle Port Yorc'h - Le Palais
Country walking circuits, Long trekking paths, Short circuit walks, Walks and hikes, Walking/pedestrian
in Le Palais
13.0
km
Loop
Walks and hikes
3h 15min
Easy
- 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 that combines history, heritage and sandy beach. From the Vauban fortifications to the Belle Fontaine, then from Bordardoué to Port Yorc'h via Grand Rocher, this 13km loop has everything to delight walkers and trail runners.
- Departure
- Le Palais
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Difference in height
- 262.62 m
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Route interest
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La Belle Fontaine:
At the end of the 17th century, this structure was built to collect water from a spring that flowed into the sea and to supply Royal Navy ships with fresh water. The reservoir holds about 850,000 liters of water. Boats that came to fill the ships’ barrels would dock at the quay, where taps allowed the water to flow through gargoyles. Access for enemy ships was defended by a battery and entrenchments. The steep cliffs on either side prevented any landing. La Belle Fontaine is open daily from June to September.
The cliffs of Bordardoué:
Composed of folded, multicolored rocks, they are a true geological curiosity and attract geologists from all over the world. The thousands of superimposed layers of quartz (white) and tuff (green, gray, brown, black) make it possible to study the formation of Belle-Île and reconstruct the geological landscape of the time (around 550 million years ago). Most of these rocks are of volcanic origin (see the exhibition at the Maison de la Nature).
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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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How to reach the start
Take the coastal path. On the left, fine views open toward Pointe du Gros-Rocher.
Steps
On the left stands a cross with Celtic motifs that once topped the church of Le Palais until 1992. After a stretch overlooking Gros-Rocher beach, turn left and climb about 200 metres to a small car park. Rejoin the coastal path to the right.
Several 19th-century marker stones delimiting former military land are still in place. The viewpoint over the Bay of Le Palais is particularly striking.
After skirting the coves of Bordardoué beach—an excellent illustration of the island’s geology—cross the redoubt, the only 17th-century beach barrier on Belle-Île, then descend to the right toward the beach car park.
To the left of the gate, beneath a privet archway, rejoin the coastal path, passing alongside an 18th-century military sentry box. The trail then runs beside a natural cavity known as the Trou à Vache, which communicates with the sea.
Reach Belle-Fontaine, marked by a stone marker, skirt it along with the small fort, then descend toward Port Guen beach. To cross the beach, two options are possible: at high tide and strong spring tides, use the barrier at the back of the beach; at low tide, cross directly over the sand.
At the far end of Port Guen beach, follow the road briefly, then take the marked coastal path and follow it to Fort Ramonette. Immediately beyond the fort, below, lies Armelles beach. Descend by road to Ramonette beach.
Climb the valley on the left, follow the road for 100 metres, then turn right toward Nanscol, which you cross.
On reaching Borthélo, turn right along the road, then left toward Le Gouerc’h, and again left onto Route de Bégarosse to reach Borfloc’h.
Turn right to skirt Borfloc’h, then continue along the path overlooking, on the right below, the dam. Reach the village of Kervin.
Pass through Kervin and continue along the dirt track, then the road, toward Port Yorc’h.
Several 19th-century marker stones delimiting former military land are still in place. The viewpoint over the Bay of Le Palais is particularly striking.
After skirting the coves of Bordardoué beach—an excellent illustration of the island’s geology—cross the redoubt, the only 17th-century beach barrier on Belle-Île, then descend to the right toward the beach car park.
To the left of the gate, beneath a privet archway, rejoin the coastal path, passing alongside an 18th-century military sentry box. The trail then runs beside a natural cavity known as the Trou à Vache, which communicates with the sea.
Reach Belle-Fontaine, marked by a stone marker, skirt it along with the small fort, then descend toward Port Guen beach. To cross the beach, two options are possible: at high tide and strong spring tides, use the barrier at the back of the beach; at low tide, cross directly over the sand.
At the far end of Port Guen beach, follow the road briefly, then take the marked coastal path and follow it to Fort Ramonette. Immediately beyond the fort, below, lies Armelles beach. Descend by road to Ramonette beach.
Climb the valley on the left, follow the road for 100 metres, then turn right toward Nanscol, which you cross.
On reaching Borthélo, turn right along the road, then left toward Le Gouerc’h, and again left onto Route de Bégarosse to reach Borfloc’h.
Turn right to skirt Borfloc’h, then continue along the path overlooking, on the right below, the dam. Reach the village of Kervin.
Pass through Kervin and continue along the dirt track, then the road, toward Port Yorc’h.
- 263 meters of difference in height
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- Start altitude : 10 m
- End altitude : 46 m
- Maximum altitude : 54 m
- Minimum altitude : 4 m
- Total positive elevation : 263 m
- Total negative elevation : -226 m
- Max positive elevation : 25 m
- Min positive elevation : -30 m