The Best Walk on the Pink Granite Coast in Brittany

Would you like to visit the Pink Granite Coast and discover the best walk on the Pink Granite Coast? Stretching for around ten kilometers, the Pink Granite Coast is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in France. Its jagged rocks and exceptional colors leave a lasting impression on visitors who come to admire it…

I invite you to discover the most beautiful spots of the best walk on the Pink Granite Coast between Perros-Guirec and the village of Ploumanac’h. To do so, head to the sentier des douaniers (customs officers’ path), where we will begin our journey…

 

 

   

PRACTICAL TIPS TO HIKE THE BEST WALK ON THE PINK GRANITE COAST

   

• How to get to the Pink Granite Coast?

Perros-Guirec is located 1.5 hours northeast of Brest and 2 hours northwest of Rennes. The nearest SNCF train station is Lannion, 20 minutes from Perros-Guirec, which connects to Rennes in 1 hour 45 minutes and Paris in 3 hours 30 minutes. You will then need to rent a car to visit the Pink Granite Coast.

Compare car rentals to find the best price!

   

• Recommended hotels on the Pink Granite Coast 

Here are several accommodation suggestions, classified according to your budget and desired location! Many accommodations also offer sea views!

3 recommended hotels on the Pink Granite Coast 

 

Find your accommodation in Perros-Guirec

   

• Plan your time for your walk on the Pink Granite Coast

Allow one day to explore the Pink Granite Coast between Perros-Guirec and Ploumanac’h (five kilometers apart), and a weekend to continue your getaway around Trégastel, a few kilometers away. Set aside half a day to walk the magical coastal path between Perros-Guirec and Ploumanac’h (about 2.5 hours, not including stops!), which is the best walk on the Pink Granite Coast!

The must-see sights of the Pink Granite Coast are all close together, as the coast is only about ten kilometers long. Perros-Guirec is therefore an excellent base for exploring the coast, but also for visiting the surrounding area: Tréguier, the island of Bréhat, etc. (see “What to do in the surrounding area?”).

 

• Where to eat on the Pink Granite Coast?

If you want to taste the delicious local seafood, I highly recommend the Restaurant des Rochers in Ploumanac’h. It offers a bird’s eye view of the charming port of Ploumanac’h and the food is delicious… It’s a must in the area, so be sure to book ahead, as it would be a shame to miss out!

 

• What to bring back from the Pink Granite Coast ?

Cocos de Paimpol or Perros abalone for a savory treat, Tréguier crackers for dessert, Philomenn beer, and Breton whiskey to top it all off… So many products to taste and bring back from your vacation! And of course, there are always salted butter caramels, kouign-amann, far, and Breton cider…

     

THE BEST WALK ON THE PINK GRANITE COAST : PERROS-GUIREC > PLOUMANAC’H

   

• Perros-Guirec, the starting point for visiting the Pink Granite Coast

Perros-Guirec is the ideal starting point for a stay in the region and is also the starting point of the best walk on the pink granite coast. This charming and lively seaside town will charm you with its beaches and unique setting… Take the opportunity to lose yourself in the streets of the town and then discover the immense beach of Trestraou. It was this beach that led to the development of Perros-Guirec at the end of the 19th century, with the fashion for sea bathing. And just like in Deauville, the famous beach huts used by holidaymakers can still be found on the beach!

Trestraou Bay is one of the prettiest in the region, with its light sand and pale turquoise waters that set the tone: the Pink Granite Coast is definitely made of unforgettable colors…

It is on Trestraou beach that our walk along the sentier des douaniers (customs officers’ path) begins, exploring this exceptional coastline. The path first winds its way between beautiful houses perched on the seafront and fern-covered moors. A pleasant appetizer before arriving at Pors Rolland, where the chaos begins…

 

• The most beautiful spots of the walk on the Pink Granite Coast

The Sentier des douaniers between Perros-Guirec and Ploumanac’h is 8 kilometers long there and back. It’s an unmissable walk on the Pink Granite Coast if you want to see the highlights of the region. The trail is well marked as it is part of the famous GR34, which runs along the entire coast of Brittany. Allow about 2.5 hours to complete the walk, or even longer as you will want to stop frequently to admire the scenery!

 

It is from the cove of Pors Rolland that the rocks become increasingly spectacular. The small beach is surrounded by vertiginous piles of rocks that are already quite pink. Some boulders are even stuck in the water, and you might think you’re on a granite battlefield abandoned by sea monsters.

The trail then winds its way through the reef of the rocking stone, which is aptly named, as some of the rocks appear to be balancing on top of each other! With a little observation and sometimes a little imagination, you will find monsters, human faces, bottles, pancakes, and other shapes that come to life by the sea! You can feel the full force of these rocks battered by the elements…

 

• The coastal house 

The trail then continues to the shelter of the sea rescuers‘ boat and the coastal house. It houses an exhibition where you can learn more about the formation of this famous pink granite, which exists on only three coasts in the world! One in Corsica in the superb Calanques de Piana, one in China and one in Brittany! But only the one in the Côtes d’Armor has this incredible chaotic appearance…

Their distinctive and rare pink color is actually due to the feldspar they contain. Dewy in the sun, the rocks change color under the action of the natural elements. They turn a beautiful brownish-pink when covered by the waves, or bright pink in the rising sun.

   

• The Ploumanac’h lighthouse, the jewel of the Pink Granite Coast

Just after the coastal house appears the famous Men Ruz lighthouse, which adorns all the postcards of the region. It must be said that despite its small size, it looks impressive and seems to be perched on piles of unstable rocks! It marks the entrance to the small port of Ploumanac’h and is aptly named. In Breton, Men Ruz means “red rock”…

     

PLOUMANAC’H, THE JEWEL OF THE BEST WALK ON PINK GRANITE COAST

   

• The village de Ploumanac’h

The charming village of Ploumanac’h was named “France’s favorite village” in 2015. This comes as no surprise, as Ploumanac’h enjoys an exceptional setting between the sea and the spectacular pink granite coast. The village’s narrow streets are lined with pretty, typical Breton houses whose stone walls are naturally tinged with the local pink hue.

Don’t miss the small port of Ploumanac’h, which is well worth a visit. Used since ancient times, it still has two tide mills built in the 14th century to harness the energy of the high tides.

Then take a stroll to the oratory of Saint Guirec. The trail also has some spectacular rock formations!

 

• Saint Guirec chapel

In the middle of Saint Guirec beach is the oratory of the same name, built in honor of this Breton saint. If you want to get close, watch out for high tide, because then the saint’s feet are in the water!

You will no doubt notice that Saint Guirec’s stone nose has now disappeared under the onslaught of visitors. According to legend, any young girl from the region who managed to stick a needle in his nose would get married within the year! But Saint Guirec was made of wood at the time, which made the task easier…

Just behind the beach is the pretty chapel of Saint Guirec. Don’t hesitate to take a look inside: if you look closely, the roof structure resembles a boat hull!

 

• The château de Costaérès

The coast around Ploumanac’h is particularly pretty with its string of rocks jutting out into the water. And a few dozen meters offshore is another curiosity: the Château de Costaérès. This neo-medieval villa was built at the end of the 19th century by a wealthy engineer who had acquired the small island. Now hidden by the surrounding pine trees, it stands proudly on its pink granite pedestal.

     

WHAT TO DO AROUND THE PINK GRANITE COAST?

   

Trégastel and the Sept-Îles archipelago (10 minutes away): Trégastel marks the end of the Pink Granite Coast and also has some superb rocks. Offshore, the Sept-Îles are the oldest and largest private bird sanctuary in France. You can discover its protected species on a boat trip.

Paimpol and the island of Bréhat (25 minutes away): the Paimpol region is also worth a visit: the ruins of Beauport Abbey have a mysterious charm, and the nearby island of Bréhat is a wild and authentic gem that is not to be missed!

Saint-Brieuc and its region (1 hour away): from small villages full of character such as Moncontour to the colorful coastline of Cap d’Erquy, the region of Saint Brieuc and Pléneuf-Val André also has some wonderful surprises in store.

     

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