south

La Vélodyssée along the Monts d'Arrée

Nature & small heritage

Short trip (3 to 5 days)

I cycle often

3 days of nature and heritage immersion by bike

bretagne velodyssee

To explore the Monts d'Arrée is to take the time to discover a wild territory, shaped by water, wind and man through the ages. The rocky peaks, source of slate, the stones sculpted by the torrents (Chaos) or man (calvaries, buildings, sculptures), and the nature reserves are the memory.

😍 From Morlaix to Carhaix, history inspires and is engraved in the stones. Visit the tobacco factory, the Lantern houses and the Pénanault house in Morlaix. In Plougonven, discover the parish enclosure (one of 7 monumental calvaries in Brittany) and the Cragou moors nature reserve. On the Vélodyssée, after Scrignac station, visit the Moulin Lidien pottery and wander through the enchanting Huelgoat forest. Then on to Carhaix and the "Vorgium" site.

📍 75 km
⏱️ 3 stages
🏁 Morlaix ➡️ Carhaix
🚲 I cycle often

Practical info

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Day 1: Morlaix > Scrignac (40 km)

To kick off this weekend's cycling, start with a visit to Morlaix: a tour of the Maison Penanault, the town's historic manor house, or a discovery of the ‘venelles’, those picturesque little streets.

Feeling peckish? Here are some good restaurant addresses. Once you've had your fill of energy, follow the La Vélodyssée signs towards Scrignac. After about ten kilometres, at Coatélan, we deviate from our main route to discover the parish enclosure of Plougonven. The church, the calvary and the funeral chapel are listed historic monuments.

🛏️ For overnight accommodation, the Gîte d'étape at Scrignac station is ideally located. Grocery shop or picnic on reservation.

💡 A good responsible address: the Ty Bihan crêperie in Morlaix on the route offers dishes made exclusively from organic and local produce 😋

Day 2:Scrignac > Carhaix (35 km)

After a good night's sleep, it's back on the old railway line. After a kilometre, you can visit the Moulin Lidien pottery (open every day except Fridays and market days, from 10am to 6pm). At Locmaria-Berrien station, leave the greenway and head for Huelgoat, passing through the village of Locmaria Berrien and the Vieux Tronc area.)

If you're feeling a little (or a lot) hungry, Huelgoat has a wide choice of restaurants, cafés and bookshops selling local and organic produce.

Leave your bikes behind and discover the enchanted forest of Huelgoat. Starting from the lake bridge, there is a 1.7km walk that gives you a good overview of the area. If you're a tree-lover, you can also take advantage of your time here to visit the Arboretum "Les Arbres du Mondes au Huelgoat" (Trees of the World in Huelgoat) on a discovery trail lasting around an hour.

After this short jaunt, return to the greenway via Locmaria-Berrien station (with the option of stopping off at the Maison de la Mine in the village of Locmaria-Berrien: exhibition on the history of the silver-lead mine, which has been in operation since ancient times). The route then takes you to Poullaouen, a major centre of Breton music, before continuing on to Carhaix

🛏️ For the night, there is a choice of accommodation with the Accueil Vélo label.

For a bite to eat, there's a choice of restaurants and crêperies in Carhaix town centre.

Day 3: Carhaix > Morlaix

The end of the cycling tour is approaching, so before catching the bus back to Morlaix, make the most of Carhaix:

Visit the Vorgium virtual archaeological interpretation centre in Carhaix. 2000 years ago, Vorgium, capital of the Osismes, was an important city. Discover this rich past in a fun and instructive way.
Adventure park (tree climbing and plant maze) Karaez Adrénaline, Carhaix Golf, Mari Eugénie exhibition (traditional Breton clothing), Coreff brewery, heritage trail, orienteering trails, trail running, relaxation at the wellness area of the aqualudic centre...See all the activities.

Return to Morlaix by coach from Carhaix on route 936 Morlaix / Carhaix. Practical tip: this line is equipped with bike racks in July and August!

ℹ️ ALL PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Possibility of arriving the day before at Morlaix station (by train or coach): late afternoon/evening (see Accueil Vélo accommodation).

➡️ Type of route: linear with return by bus

Access to the route and return to the starting point

🚆 By train:

Morlaix station is served by the TGV every day, on the Paris-Brest line (few TGVs however accept bikes, TER via Rennes)

🚗 By car, parking possible:

Morlaix: car parks (long-term / free): St-Nicolas and Place Pouliet car parks.

To get back to the starting point: return to Morlaix by coach from Carhaix on route 936 Morlaix /Carhaix. Practical tip: this line is equipped with bike racks in July and August!