south

Cycling in Brittany as a family along greenways and the Nantes-Brest Canal

By the water

Short trip (3 to 5 days)

I begin / Family

3 days of biking along tranquil greenways through the heart of Brittany

Want to get away and try out travelling by bike? Ride with peace of mind along this route that mostly follows greenways, along the Nantes-Brest Canal, the Rigole d’Hilvern channel, and the former Central Brittany railway. You’ll pass through the green and blue landscapes of inland Brittany: wooded countryside, canal locks, a medieval city, and the great Lake Guerlédan.

Highlight of the itinerary: This route, 96% of which follows greenways along canal towpaths and a former railway, offers an unforgettable experience to share with family or friends.

Check the route map

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Day 1: Pontivy

For a gentle start to your adventure of cycling in Brittany, kick things off with a visit of Pontivy. First, you have the old city (the Château des Rohan from the 12th century, mansions, and fantastic timbered houses) with its winding little streets that you can easily navigate by bike. Then, you have the new city, the construction of which was ordered by Napoleon and which offers a grid of broad streets lined with shops. For a gourmet tea time, there’s no shortage of great spots in Pontivy

Fun fact : There are only two cities in France that Napoleon Bonaparte ordered to be built: Pontivy and La Roche-Sur-Yon!

For the first night of your journey, in Pontivy: there are several Accueil Vélo (Cyclists Welcome) establishments that will be happy to have you.

Day 2: Pontivy > Saint-Gonnery (33 km)

After getting warmed up in the city centre of Pontivy, your greenway cycle route adventure can begin. Start by riding along the Nantes-Brest Canal, with its many locks. At the Écluse d’Hilvern lock, take a moment to have some fun at Louarnig Park, dedicated to Breton games, where you can experience the culture of Brittany on a site covering 3,500 m². Are you a fan of ropes courses? Just across the canal, you’ll find the Accrobrancherie ropes course with its zip line that passes over the canal.

Continue along the Nantes-Brest Canal to Rohan, a “green resort” town, known for being one of the most beautiful places bordering the canals and navigable waterways of western France. It’s the ideal spot for you to get a good meal! After having your fill, head back north along the canal to Saint-Gonnery.

At the Écluse de Bojus lock, you’ll leave La Vélodyssée and travel 1 kilometre to catch Cycle Route No. 8, La Rigole d’Hilvern. You’ll return to La Vélodyssée in the last stage of the itinerary. La Rigole d’Hilvern is an artificial waterway created in the 19th century to supply water to the Nantes-Brest Canal to allow boats to navigate it.

In Saint-Gonnery, Fabienne and Rémy will be happy to receive you at their organic dairy farm, where you can recharge (an Accueil Vélo–Cyclists Welcome guest house).

🍴 Great places to eat:

Saint-Gérand is less than a kilometre from the canal (with a bakery and corner shop)
Rohan: Restaurant l’Eau d’Oust Rohan, Carrefour Express Rohan grocery shop, Crêperie La Gavotte Rohan, Pizzeria Le Petit Tonneau Rohan, Abbaye de Timadeuc (3 km outside Rohan, selling cheese and fruit jellies)
Saint-Gonnery: L’Hilvern restaurant, shop at the La Cavalerie organic farm and Votre Marché corner shop

Day 3: Saint-Gonnery > Guerlédan (42 km)

After a nice breakfast at the farm, head to Brittany’s biggest lake! Pedal along the meandering Rigole d’Hilvern channel to Saint-Caradec. From there, you’ll take Cycle Route No. 6, the former Central Brittany railway, to continue on the itinerary.

When you arrive at Guerlédan (formerly Mûr-de-Bretagne), if you have some free time: rise above it all in the trees at Guerlédan Parc Aventure (set to open May 2021).

There are several types of Accueil Vélo (Cyclists Welcome) accommodations where you can stay in Mûr-de-Bretagne-Guerlédan, including a campsite, a guest house, and a holiday village.

🍴 Great places to eat:

Saint-Caradec: Le Caradoc and Chez Jean restaurants/crêperie and Servad corner shop
Mûr-de-Bretagne-Guerlédan: La Biscuiterie de Guerlédan biscuit shop, selling local products

Day 4: Guerlédan > Pontivy (25 km)

For this final stage of cycling in Brittany, you’ll return to La Vélodyssée before heading toward the Guerlédan Dam (note: there’s a strong downward slope for around 2 km). After the dam, don’t miss the Electrothèque du Lac de Guerlédan museum in Saint-Aignan, where you can learn about the history of the dam’s construction. Then, you’ll travel along the Blavet River and Nantes-Brest Canal for a nice, peaceful stretch to end this greenway cycle route.

If you didn’t prepare for a picnic lunch when you left Mûr-de-Bretagne-Guerlédan, a small road (2 km each way) will take you to Neuillac (which has a crêpe shop and bakery).

🍴 Great places to eat: the crêpe and gourmet food shop in Saint-Aignan and the Biscuiterie de Guerlédan biscuit shop, which sells local products

ℹ️ LOGISTICAL INFO

🅿️ Where can you leave your vehicle?

Car parks in the centre of Pontivy: across from the tourist office or the Place Aristide Briand

🚲 Bicycle hire

Go Sport-Bike+ in Pontivy, €16/day
Base Départementale de Plein Air in Guerlédan: €18/day

🗺️ Route map

🗝️ Ready-made trip

Want to complete this route for yourself? The Pontivy Communauté Tourist Office offers a ready-made trip with reservation of lodging, bicycles, picnics, and meal trays!