See photos (3)
Boucle Ster Vras - Borderun
Walks and hikes
in Sauzon
9.3
km
Loop
Walks and hikes
2h 30min
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, or 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 since June 20th 2022, walking poles with metal tips are prohibited along the entire coastal path on Belle-Île. 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: info@belle-ile.com
-
The ideal loop for discovering Belle-Île's flora and fauna. Birdwatchers will be delighted on this section of the GR340.
- Departure
- Sauzon
-
-
Difference in height
- 177.95 m
-
-
-
Route interest
-
Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sites:
Belle-Île still has many surviving remains. Three standing stones (Jean and Jeanne at Sauzon, the Sainte-Anne Stone at Bangor) line the island’s central road. Several earthwork fortifications, built on headlands known as “barred spurs,” can be seen at Pouldon, on the islet of Er-Hastellic, and especially on the Vieux-Château peninsula. Several burial mounds (tumuli) have withstood ploughing, the largest at Borderun (Sauzon), Borvran, and Kerdavid (Locmaria). In the area of Sauzon, dozens of small burial mounds are scattered across the moorland.
-
-
-
Did you know ?
-
The “Caesar's Camp” or “The Roman Camp”:
The Vieux-Château peninsula (Koh-Kastell) is also a bird sanctuary created to protect black-legged kittiwakes, for which it is the only nesting site on Belle-Île. Other seabirds can also be found there: a few northern fulmars, oystercatchers, and especially brown gulls, which have become very numerous. Red-billed choughs can also sometimes be seen flying past. If you visit, please respect the peace and quiet of the birds—they are at home here.
-
-
-
Documentation
- GPX / KML files allow you to export the trail of your hike to your GPS (or other navigation tool)
-
- See all reviews
How to reach the start
From the left side of Ster-Vraz Beach, climb the steep coastal path through heathland and follow the shoreline. Descend into the valley at the head of Ster-Ouen, then climb the opposite slope to reach the Vieux-Château promontory.
Steps
Along the ascent, panoramic views open over Ster-Vraz, Ster-Ouen and the Poulains lighthouse. The Vieux-Château peninsula is the island’s most significant promontory fort, with its earthen rampart and ditch still clearly visible.
Head south along the coast through low heath and gorse toward the Apothecary’s Cave (access prohibited). Continue along jagged cliff tops with short grass and heather. Pass the ruins of the Er-Hastellic semaphore tower, then continue with views over the southern coast.
Cross a shallow rocky valley, passing the islet of Er-Hastellic, an Iron Age promontory fort whose earthen palisade foundations remain visible. Continue along the coastal trail until you reach Port Borderun, a narrow inlet formed by the mouths of two short but steep valleys.
Descend into Port Borderun, cross the low stone wall protecting the inlet from the sea, then turn left and follow the dirt track inland toward the hamlet of Borderun. In the hamlet, follow the paved road north toward Magorlec, passing an overgrown tumulus on the right.
In Magorlec, turn left and follow the green cycling route signs toward the village of Kerguerc’h. Take a left on the D30, then the first right onto a dirt track heading due north toward Ster-Vraz and the village of Borcastel. Two picturesque fountains mark the beginning of the descent out of Borcastel.
Head south along the coast through low heath and gorse toward the Apothecary’s Cave (access prohibited). Continue along jagged cliff tops with short grass and heather. Pass the ruins of the Er-Hastellic semaphore tower, then continue with views over the southern coast.
Cross a shallow rocky valley, passing the islet of Er-Hastellic, an Iron Age promontory fort whose earthen palisade foundations remain visible. Continue along the coastal trail until you reach Port Borderun, a narrow inlet formed by the mouths of two short but steep valleys.
Descend into Port Borderun, cross the low stone wall protecting the inlet from the sea, then turn left and follow the dirt track inland toward the hamlet of Borderun. In the hamlet, follow the paved road north toward Magorlec, passing an overgrown tumulus on the right.
In Magorlec, turn left and follow the green cycling route signs toward the village of Kerguerc’h. Take a left on the D30, then the first right onto a dirt track heading due north toward Ster-Vraz and the village of Borcastel. Two picturesque fountains mark the beginning of the descent out of Borcastel.
- 178 meters of difference in height
-
- Start altitude : 5 m
- End altitude : 5 m
- Maximum altitude : 46 m
- Minimum altitude : 4 m
- Total positive elevation : 178 m
- Total negative elevation : -178 m
- Max positive elevation : 21 m
- Min positive elevation : -23 m
