Walk
Le bois de Saint-Gildas
Cast - Plomodiern - Châteaulin - Saint-Coulitz · Finistère
An 8.9 km loop from the Saint-Gildas chapel, between Cast and Châteaulin: woods, an old Roman road and a 360° view from Menez Quelerc’h.
- Suggested time
- 2 h 15
- Type of place
- Walking loop · Aulne valley
- Atmosphere
- A quiet wood and a viewpoint.
- Getting there
- Cast, Plomodiern, Châteaulin, Saint-Coulitz (Finistère)
The route
Loop: the route returns to its starting point. Route: Communauté de communes Pleyben-Châteaulin-Porzay, Licence Ouverte 2.0.
Download the GPS trackGPX file, to open in a walking app (Komoot, OsmAnd, Garmin Connect, iPhiGéNie…).
Who this place suits
- With family
- 5/10
- As a couple
- 7/10
- With friends
- 8/10
- Solo
- 8/10
- With a dog
- 8/10
- Reduced mobility
- 2/10
These scores are calculated from what the page records: official rating, facilities, difficulty, duration and location. They are a guide, not a substitute for contacting the venue, especially about accessibility.
About
The Saint-Gildas wood offers quiet charm, with calm moments at the start and the finish and a good effort in between. The trail sets off from the Saint-Gildas chapel and its spring. The chapel, shaped like a Latin cross, was believed to protect people and animals from rabies thanks to the statue of Saint Tugen; the water from its spring was said to ease rabies, headaches and toothache. The route gives a taste of the climb up Menez Quelerc’h, made legendary by the Boucles de l’Aulne cycle race: at the top, the view takes in the bay of Douarnenez, the Aulne valley, the Locronan hill and the Montagnes Noires. You also walk on the old Roman road from Châteaulin to Quimper. The loop is 8.9 km long; allow about 2 h 15 of walking. Start: the Saint-Gildas chapel. The official route, published by the Pleyben-Châteaulin-Porzay community of communes, is shown on the map and can be downloaded as a GPX file to follow on your phone. Waymarking is missing in places: keep the GPS track to hand.
What you will see
- 8.9 km, about 2 h 15
- Loop: back to the starting point
- Saint-Gildas chapel and spring
- Panorama from Menez Quelerc’h
- Former Roman road
Tips on the spot
- Start: the Saint-Gildas chapel.
- The waymarking is missing in places after the spring and the small footbridge: follow the GPS track or the map.
- The GPX track can be downloaded from the map: handy for staying on the right path at junctions.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the walk?
8.9 km, or about 2 h 15 of walking.
Where does it start?
Saint-Gildas chapel. The route comes back to its starting point.
Is the trail well waymarked?
Not everywhere: the tourist office reports gaps after the spring and the small footbridge. The GPX track on the map helps you find your way.
Source: Communauté de communes Pleyben-Châteaulin-Porzay, Licence Ouverte 2.0, via GeoBretagne.
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