In the Côtes-d'Armor region of Brittany, the Erquy area is full of walks and hikes, where nature blends with a rich historical and cultural heritage. From a simple family loop to a great adventure on the mythical GR34, there is something for everyone!

The GR®34, the customs trail

In Côtes-d'Armor, the GR®34 - voted France's favourite GR® - extends over more than 400 km of marked routes. On the Côte de Penthièvre, the famous customs officers' trail allows you to hike on the Grand Site Cap d'Erquy - Cap Fréhel. In the majestic setting of the pink sandstone cliffs, between beaches, moors, dunes, pine woods and marshes, hikers will be amazed.

- From Sables d'Or to Erquy: 14 km - From Erquy to the Port of Dahouët: 14 km

Discovering the quarrymen's trail

On the heights of the Lacs Bleus, an interpretation trail invites you to discover the history of sandstone and the old quarrymen nicknamed "the grated clogs". At the time, the pink sandstone was transformed into paving stones, transported by waggon to the quay below and loaded onto boats. The Blue Lakes are the remains of these former pink sandstone quarrying sites. From the staircase built into the side of the cliff (a little steep), you climb up to the Blue Lakes, perched 40 m above sea level. The view over the port and the beach of the Centre is splendid! The walk continues towards the Cap d'Erquy, through the moor and the gorse flowers.

- Departure point: Lourtuais car park - distance: 1.8 km - duration: 1h30

The Lanruen Circuit

This looped route follows the coastline and leads to the Lanruen estate. On the way, the walker will discover beautiful views of Cap Fréhel and the Bay of Saint-Brieuc, as well as the built heritage of the hamlets he passes through: chapel, wash house, mill, former quarrymen's dwellings, guard house, dolmen, etc.

- Departure from the Plage du Guen car park - distance: 9 km - duration: 2h30

The Wild Beaches Circuit

On the edge of the Cape, the wild beaches of Erquy (Lourtuais, le Portuais, Lanruen) are the main theme of this walk which alternates between natural and historical sites. To see along the way: the Blue Lakes, the cannonball oven and the old guardhouse (1744), the Pointe des Trois Pierres (symbol of the Cap d'Erquy), the lifeboat shelter, the remains of the ramparts (ancient fortifications).

- Departure point: Cap d'Erquy car park - distance: 7.5 km - duration: 2 hours

The Caroual viaduct

Situated on the seafront, the Caroual viaduct in Erquy (1913) is an engineering structure on the departmental railway line which linked Saint-Brieuc to Saint-Briac. Now listed as a historical monument, it is the starting point for a lovely walk or cycle ride, accessible to people with reduced mobility and pushchairs. The greenway offers walkers a magnificent view of the village of Caroual, the Cap d'Erquy and the Bay of Saint-Brieuc, as far as the Pont des marais at Les Sables d'Or.

- Distance: 4 km walk there and back - duration: 2 hours

photo@L'oeil de Paco, CRT Bretagne