In the heart of Finistère, hiking in the Monts d’Arrée is the best way to immerse yourself in this land where historical heritage and natural sites are often intertwined with ancient legends…
Venerable mountains eroded by time, the Monts d’Arrée have rather modest altitudes, culminating at Roc’h Ruz at 385 m altitude. As a result, the difference in altitude will not be the greatest difficulty on a hike in the Monts d’Arrée, with walks accessible to all levels of walker. A real treat, with landscapes of Breton moors, bare granite, lakes and forests.
Note that the GR380 allows you to hike all around the Monts d’Arrée, over several days: an itinerary divided into stages, for an itinerant trek through the Parc naturel régional d’Armorique. It’s a route that often features in our selection of the most beautiful hikes in the Monts d’Arrée!
1. Le Circuit des Roc’h
- Running time: approx. 3 hours 50 minutes
- Distance: 15.1 km
- Height difference: 368 m
- Difficulty: Medium
- See the route
A must-do among Monts d’Arrée hikes, it would be impossible not to start with the Circuit des Roc’h. An itinerary that takes you to the massif’s highest peaks!
This loop starts and finishes in Plounéour-Ménez. Amid rolling countryside, the route climbs steadily through the countryside until it reaches the crest line of the Monts d’Arrée.
The Roc’h de Trédudon (384m), the Roc’h Ruz (385m) and, further on, the Roc’h Trevezel (384m) are the three highest peaks along the high-level trail. Each one offers superb views of the surrounding area!
2. Huelgoat Forest – Artus camp
- Duration: 1 hour
- Distance: 5 km
- Ascent: 145 m
- Difficulty: Easy
- See the route
Another classic Monts d’Arrée hike, this easy trail from the village of Huelgoat forms a 5 km loop, giving you plenty of time to stroll along the way.
You’ll quickly become absorbed by the unusual landscapes of the Forêt d’Huelgoat, the source of many legends. Here, a chaos of large polished rocks is said to have been created by Gargantua himself. Here, the grotte d’Artus is said to have served as a refuge for King Arthur, hence its name, Camp d’Artus… A hike as much as an open-air tale awaits you!
3. Tro Sant Riwal walking trail in Saint-Rivoal
- Duration: 4h30
- Distance: 17.2 km
- Difference in altitude: 399 m
- Difficulty: Medium
- See the route
We’re upping the ante with this interesting hike in the Monts d’Arrée, starting from the village of Saint-Rivoal. Take the time to visit this pretty village, typical of the region, both at the start and at the finish, before venturing out on a trail through moorland and jagged hills…
The goal: Montagne Saint-Michel and its eponymous chapel, perched at 381 m, from where you can enjoy a magnificent panorama over Lac de Brennilis and the crest of the Monts d’Arrée. A pleasant return through pinewoods, moors and forests, ideal for a spring walk.
4. The Kermorgant loop
- Duration: approx. 1h45
- Distance: 7.7 km
- Difference in altitude: 158 m
- Difficulty: Easy
- See the route
When hiking in the Monts d’Arrée, legends are constantly intertwined with your walking itinerary… that’s the magic of this region. Just imagine: the menhir at Kermorgant, a key stage on this hike, is said to have once been the site of a town built by giants!
An easy, fascinating loop for nature lovers, with heather and wildflowers heralding the Cragou moors, and a detour to the small village of Le Cloître-Saint-Thégonnec.
5. Tour of Lake Brennilis
- Duration: approx. 1h45
- Distance: 7.7 km
- Difference in altitude: 158 m
- Difficulty: Easy
- See the route
The starting point for this hike in the Monts d’Arrée may come as a surprise: a power plant disused since 1985, to go around a lake whose surroundings were once dubbed the Gates of Hell!
But don’t turn back too quickly, because this beautiful walk, accessible and with no major difficulties, is well worth seeing. The path winds along the water’s edge, through the Yeun Elez peat bogs, and even crosses a few menhirs along the way… many a legend was born in such a setting!
6. The Kerdro circuit in Saint-Thégonnec
- Duration: approx. 1h45
- Distance: 8.9 km
- Difference in altitude: 167 m
- Difficulty: Easy
- See the route
This charming hiking loop in the Monts d’Arrée allows you to take a leisurely stroll through the countryside and forest, passing through a few hamlets, to get some fresh air and stretch your legs on a gentle gradient.
It’s also the perfect opportunity to visit the parish church of Saint-Thégonnec, an essential part of Finistère’s heritage. The superb church is dedicated to Thégonnec, a legendary saint who left his mark on the region’s history: his name can be found almost everywhere on the trails of the Monts d’Arrée!
7. The Abbaye du Relec circuit
- Running time: approx. 3 hours 10 minutes
- Distance: 12.6 km
- Difference in altitude: 297 m
- Difficulty: Medium
- See the route
A beautiful itinerary, typical of the Monts d’Arrée hiking region. Slightly demanding, you’ll need to allow yourself a little time to complete this 12.6 km loop, while taking some great photos along the way: the Breton moors here are very photogenic!
Don’t miss an interesting stop at the little Abbey of Le Relec (12th century), and around the nearby lake: a nice spot to take a break and have a picnic.
8. Lac du Drennec
- Running time: approx. 1 hour 10 minutes
- Distance: 6.3 km
- Height difference: 137 m
- Difficulty: Easy
- See the route
A hike in the Monts d’Arrée that we particularly recommend at the height of summer: when the sun is shining on Finistère, and this happens more often than you might think, the waters of Lac du Drennec are perfect for refreshing the walk.
This trail takes you all around the lake, with several swimming stops on the little beaches you come across along the way… Don’t forget your walking shoes, but also your bathing suits!
In the background, the silhouette of the Monts d’Arrée dominates the southern horizon, a beautiful sight at any time of day.