Ploemeur, la voie verte des kaolins
©Emmanuel LEMEE. Ploemeur, la voie verte des kaolins

Greenways in Lorient Bretagne Sud

Parcourez Lorient Bretagne Sud à vélo, en toute sécurité sur les voies vertes

Explore Lorient Bretagne Sud by bicycle, safely on the greenways

Lorient Bretagne Sud is criss-crossed by numerous cycling routes, including several beautiful greenways, specifically designed for gentle, non-motorised travel.

In the countryside, discover the greenways of the river Blavet or from Quéven to Pont-Scorff. To make the most of the coast, start from Lorient along the greenway from the Kaolins to the Courégant. There you will join the coastal greenway, which heads to Guidel or to Larmor-Plage.

Download Lorient Bretagne Sud cycling routes
Ploemeur, balade vélo avec les enfants sur la voie verte des kaolins

What is a greenway?

Greenways are separate routes, reserved for non-motorised vehicles, often following former towpaths or railway tracks. They are ideal with children, for a quiet, undisturbed cycle.

Blue, white and green:
the Kaolins Greenway

Over half a day or one day

From the town to the beaches, a great excursion by bicycle, on foot, roller-skates, skateboards, wheelchairs, buggies, scooters or even on horseback…

The Kaolin greenway, from Lorient to  Courégant in Ploemeur, is a wonderful outdoor walk, far from the traffic and in complete safety. The route which follows the old railway track is surfaced and hence easily practicable. The starting point is in Kerfichant in Lorient, rue du Gaillec, opposite the supermarket.

“On the outward journey, the path gently descends towards the sea; the return is uphill!”, warns Sylvie Delanoy, an inhabitant of Ploemeur who is used to beautiful walks with her two children and faithful dog. “Nose to the wind, no cars, it’s really great. All the walkers are relaxed and everyone says hi!” The last part of the walk rises to the huge kaolin slag heaps, providing a wonderful panorama over the ocean and the island of Groix. As a reward, you can have a quick drink at le Courégant before heading off again.

Ploemeur, vélos et randos sur la voie verte des kaolins

And to extend the pleasure:

Ploemeur, panneaux signalétiques entre les voies vertes des kaolins et du littoral
©Emmanuel LEMEE. Ploemeur, panneaux signalétiques entre les voies vertes des kaolins et du littoral

Once at Le Courégant, you can head for the coast (safe path for pedestrians and bikes, with wooden handrail). One way leads to Guidel (8 km), the other to Larmor-Plage (9 km, including 4.3 km on normal roads).

Coastal Greenway: from Guidel-Plages to Kerroc'h

From Guidel-Plages (Guidel) to Kerroc’h (Ploemeur), 9 km. You will pass through Guidel-Plages (Guidel), Fort-Bloqué (Ploemeur), Le Courégant (Ploemeur), Kerroc’h (Ploemeur).

The greenway runs along the coast and offers a magnificent view of the ocean and the island of Groix. The route is protected, and easy (a couple of uphill and hence downhill parts). You will pass through a few villages, where you can get supplies: cafés, restaurants and artisanal biscuit shops. You will go along the beaches (remember your swimsuit!)

Be vigilant during the tourist season. You will be sharing the route with pedestrians, who may cross over to get to the beach. From Kerroc’h, you can continue to the centre of Larmor-Plage; some parts of the route on protected and shared path and others on the normal small road.

Ploemeur, pause vélos sur la voie verte du littoral
©E. LEMEE. Ploemeur, pause vélos sur la voie verte du littoral

Blavet Greenway

From Hennebont to Pontivy, 62 km on the old towpath along the river Blavet.

Steps (towns crossed or close to the canal): Inzinzac-Lochrist, Pont-Augan (Baud), Saint-Nicolas-des-Eaux (Pluméliau) and Pontivy.

28 locks along the route, from Récollets lock (Pontivy) to Polvern lock (Hennebont).

Departure from Hennebont or Inzinzac-Lochrist

Start from Hennebont, at the foot of the ramparts, at the Pont Jehanne-la-Flamme. You can leave your car in the car park there. Hennebont is also easy to get to using the public transport network. You can also rent bikes in Lochrist and leave from Inzinzac-Lochrist, 6 km from Hennebont.

This very pleasant route is easy and flat, and takes you from lock to lock, often full of flowers, in green, rural environment. You will discover inland Brittany, the magnificent Blavet valley and its meanders with alternating fields and forests.

Lorient Bretagne Sud, balade en vélo sur les chemins de halage de la rivière du Blavet
©Emmanuel LEMEE. Lorient Bretagne Sud, balade en vélo sur les chemins de halage de la rivière du Blavet
Balade à pied et à vélo le long du chemin de halage, à Hennebont.
© Emmanuel LEMEE. Balade à pied et à vélo le long du chemin de halage, à Hennebont.

Over half a day or one day

Starting from Hennebont, you pass the Hennebont Horse Stud and its magnificent buildings. The site can be visited and offers equestrian shows all year round. At La Bergerie, during the high season, you will find a refreshment bar and a restaurant. You reach lock n°28 Polvern: this is the beginning of the canalized Blavet, which is no longer subject to the tides.

In Inzinzac-Lochrist, you can stop off at the Forges industrial museum presenting the history of the Hennebont ironworks and this industrial era. You can also choose go kayaking on the White Water course set up on the river with its boat lift. You can also rent canoes and mix the trip: go by bike, and return by kayak.

Push on to Minazen lock (about 20 km from the departure in Hennebont): the ice-bar offers you a nice lunch stop or you can also picnic on the small island. Take advantage of this shady break to rest before heading back or continuing towards Pontivy.

Over two days :

You can make the round trip to Saint Nicolas des Eaux or Pontivy, where you will find camp sites and hotels and everything you need for food.

La rivière Blavet, Inzinzac Lochrist
© Emmanuel LEMEE. La rivière Blavet, Inzinzac-Lochrist.
Sortie de l'écluse, le Blavet, , Minazen Languidic
©Emmanuel LEMEE, Sortie de l'écluse, le Blavet, Minazen Languidic
Lorient Bretagne Sud, balade à cheval ou à vélo sur le chemin de halage de la rivière du Blavet
©Emmanuel LEMEE . Lorient Bretagne Sud, balade à cheval ou à vélo sur le chemin de halage de la rivière du Blavet
Pont enjambant le Blavet, Inzinzac Lochrist
©Emmanuel LEMEE, Pont enjambant le Blavet, Inzinzac Lochrist
Balade sur les berges, Hennebont
© Xavier DUBOIS. Balade sur les berges, Hennebont.
Hennebont, passage de l'eau dans une écluse sur la rivière du Blavet
© Xavier DUBOIS. Hennebont, passage de l'eau dans une écluse sur la rivière du Blavet.

Greenway from Quéven to Pont-Scorff

From Quéven to Pont-Scorff, 6 km.

Half-Day Trip

You leave from the centre of Quéven (3 km north of Lorient) to go to Pont-Scorff, a pretty village with its craftsmen.

Departure from Quéven, rue de la Gare, 200m from the church, in front of the Anatole France school. The route follows the course of an old railway line, through the countryside. Peaceful and shady, it avoids the road, an underpass has been built to cross it.

The route is easy, a little hilly and very quiet.

Couple en randonnée en campagne à Lorient Bretagne Sud.
© Shutterstock-LBST. Couple en randonnée en campagne à Lorient Bretagne Sud.
Devanture d'une coutellerie à Pont Scorff
Devanture d'une coutellerie à Pont Scorff ©Simon Bourcier

You soon find yourself in the countryside, either in the middle of fields, or deep in woods of oak and chestnut trees. In Pont-Scorff, a pretty Breton village, you will discover the Maison des Princes and the Cour des métiers d’arts, with its artists and crafts people.

  • Share: