Bike Tour: Cycling the Emerald Coast of Brittany - 8 days

Arrival in Mont-Dol, a flowery village, stuck to a granite rise in the otherwise flat country on the Breton coast. You can take nice walks to the top of the Mont-Dol, from where, in clear weather, you have a wonderful view of the polders and the hilly inland.

By way of a beautiful route through the undulating hinterland you reach via Dol-de-Bretagne the small town of Pontorson. Via a clear track cycling to Le Mont-Saint-Michel is very relaxing. The age-old pilgrimage site with an impressive abbey on a rock protruding into the sea. The ‘Mont’ is very touristic but certainly worth a visit. Then via the Digue de la Duchesse Anne through a flat polder landscape to the bay near Chapelle St. Anne. Finally, the route takes you via the inland back to the starting point.

Challenge: 69km, 129m ascent, 133m descent

A wonderful trip along the bay of Saint-Michel with on the way quite often beautiful grand sea views. You pass the lively fishing village of Cancale, known for its oysters. The oyster banks can be visited when the tide is out. At eateries and restaurants, you can feast on seafood. The Breton coast isn’t suitable for a stay on the beach. However, on the other side of the peninsula, after a stiff climb, you will find a wonderful golden beach. Along the coast on a quiet path you cycle to the lively port of Saint-Malo.

Challenge: 44km, 149m ascent, 152m descent

Today you can spend your time in the historic town of Saint-Malo or cycling around. The walled imposing fortress, the ports, the pleasant shopping streets and the beaches make sure you don’t have a dull moment at all. You have also got the chance, early in the morning, to take the ferry boat to the British island of Jersey (about 1.15 h) On the island of Jersey you can make a wonderful tour on the extensive track system, with sometimes a stiff climb. At the end of the afternoon or the beginning of the evening you return to Saint-Malo again. If you can’t make up your mind, we suggest you to book an extra night in Saint-Malo.

Challenge: 32km

A small ferry boat takes you from Saint-Malo to fashionable Dinard. From here you go straight south on a clear track, straight as an arrow. You follow a former railway taking you alternately through villages in the country and quiet scenery. After this ‘Voie Verte’ quiet paths take you through green flowering hills of the Breton inland to Taden castle. A track along the Rance takes you to the picturesque Port of Dinan, the town is situated somewhat higher and has a wonderful historic centre. Not in the mood for a biking trip? In season, a boat daily goes from Dinard to Port Dinan, you can take your bikes with you.

Challenge: 27km, 121m ascent, 116m descent

The town of Dinan offers a lot of opportunities to spend a day there. There are many galleries, shops, restaurants and terraces. In addition to this you can also go for a ride through the green Breton hills, south of Dinan. On the way, you sometimes imagine yourself to be in South English Cornwall. Striking are the massive, black grey granite farmhouses, in summer usually surrounded by splendidly blue hydrangeas. A great part of the route you follow the tow path along the Canal d’Ille and Rance, a lovely and quiet track with on the way some locks and villages. It’s rather simple to shorten the route.

Challenge: 49km, 203m ascent, 217m descent

You start in a relaxed way on the track along the Rance. At a dam, where the enormous contrast between tides is remarkable, you have to step on it to get out of the valley. Through undulating farmland, you go on to the old, once prosperous (cathedral) city Dol-de-Bretagne. Here you can admire the impressive Menhir du Champ-Dolent. Also visit the beautiful St. Samson Cathedral, dedicated to one of the seven Breton saints and walk the Grand Rue des Stuarts along magnificent old houses from the 12th and 13th cent. From here it’s not far anymore to Mont-Dol where your trip ends.

Challenge: 44km, 204m ascent, 215m descent

After breakfast end of the trip.