Circuit du canal de Haute Perche, Pornic: walk in Brittany

A 9 km loop in Pornic along the Haute Perche canal to the Sainte-Hélène rock, then beside the Val Saint-Martin pond.

Suggested time: 3 hours
Type of place: Walking loop · Pays de Retz
Atmosphere: Canal, farmland and pond.
Getting there: Pornic (Loire-Atlantique)

The route

Loop: the route returns to its starting point. Route: Département de Loire-Atlantique (PDIPR), Licence Ouverte 2.0, mise à jour du 2021-01-04.

Download the GPS track

GPX 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

Crossing from bank to bank by a few footbridges, this trail follows the tree-lined paths beside the Haute Perche canal, once used by coastal trading boats in the Pornic hinterland. It leads to the Sainte-Hélène rock, in hilly, hedged farmland, then follows the banks of the Val Saint-Martin pond, a short distance from the town and the old harbour. The loop is 9 km long; allow about 3 hours of walking. The stated level is medium. Start: the point marked on the map, in Pornic. The official route, published by the Loire-Atlantique département, is shown on the map and can be downloaded as a GPX file to follow on your phone.

What you will see

9 km, about 3 hours
Level: medium
Loop: back to the starting point
Haute Perche canal
Sainte-Hélène rock
Val Saint-Martin pond

Show 1 more point

Footbridges

Tips on the spot

Start: the point marked on the map, in Pornic.
The tourist office occasionally runs a guided tour of the Haute Perche river and its fishing huts.
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?

9 km, or about 3 hours of walking.

Where does it start?

The point marked on the map, in Pornic. The route comes back to its starting point.

Source: Département de Loire-Atlantique (PDIPR), Licence Ouverte 2.0, mise à jour du 2021-01-04 via data.gouv.fr, updated 4 January 2021.

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