Walking at Cragou

Brittany is a paradise for walkers – the countryside is attractive and varied and walking is mainly very easy indeed. On this day we parked the car just down the hill from Kermarzin and set off on what looked on the map like a clearly marked, circular walk up to the Rocks of Cragou, returning along the Voie Verte to our starting point.

The area of the the Cragou-Vergam is designated a ‘Remarkable Place’ in Brittany and is committed to preserving biodiversity. This brochure describes another two walks in the area and it was the first part of the 14km walk which we followed, turning right at the Rocks of Cragou to complete our circuit.

The track just outside Kermarzin, leading up to the Rocks of Cragou

The track continues uphill, past logging

Out on the moorlands, with the Rocks of Cragou on the horizon

Near the top of the hill two paths appear to head down to the river. There are no markings, but it is the small path on the right, between the bracken, which is correct, not the apparently clearer, wider path down the middle.

We paused at this point, intending to walk down to the river, and first went onwards, up to the Rocks of Cragou and what appears to be the remains of old forest. It is atmospheric and there is a feeling of great age.

Amongst the Rocks of Cragou

We returned to the intersection of paths and continued through the bracken, heather and gorse, and towards another rock outcrop.

The view from the hillside below the Rocks of Cragou

The path joined a clear track down the hill but do take care to find the signpost where the route turns off the the GR and on to the VTT No.4 route.

And finally you come down to the River Squiriou and the remains of the railway line, which is the Voie Verte.

The Voie Verte along the old railway line

Having completed the circular walk we drove a short distance to Trinivel to find the Chapel of St Corentin, built before the 15C and belonging to the Abbey of Le Releq. The Chapel fell into disrepair and was restored in the early 21C.