Pont L'Abbe walking and hiking route

Walk Instructions

There is negligible rise and fall and the tracks, including about 400 yards of surfaced access road, are uniformly good. Pont-l’Abbé is a good little market town (Thursdays), with plenty of shops and commercial premises. The Château, started in the 13th Century, with alterations continuing until the 18th century, is now used as the Mairie and the Bigouden (the local area) museum.

The 14th century Nôtre Dame des Carnes church, of unusual appearance, lies almost on the line of this walk.

Walk along the side of the river, away from the town centre. This is part of the ubiquitous GR 34. Pass the interesting Bigouden monument; the Nôtre Dame des Carnes church is set back on the right, as are picnic tables and a children’s play area. The road soon comes to an end. Continue along the riverside on a well made path. Across the river is a prominent former tide mill. Cross the top of a dam which retains a tidal lagoon. Cross another, similar, dam, then a third. Pass a Site Naturelle Protégé board to reach a junction of tracks by a minor ‘Pointe’. There is an ivy clad ruin on the right.

1. Turn right to go slightly uphill, passing the ruin. At a junction in 20 yards turn left to stay with the GR. To continue straight on provides a short cut to the Rosquerno equestrian centre. For the full walk carry on along the GR for about 500 yards.

2. At a meeting place of tracks, turn left to reach the edge of the water and to see the Menhir. Then follow the broad way marked track up a small road. Turn right and immediatly right on another broad track where you will soon pass a signpost ‘Rosquerno 1km’ on your left. At a junction of 4 tracks, bend a little to the left to reach the Rosquerno Equestrian Centre car park.

3. Turn left to walk beside the access road to the main road for about 250 yards.

4. Turn right, into the old closed museum car park, just before reaching the main road. Walk through the car park and find the hidden gap at the far end of the stone wall. This takes you onto a broad track, initially parallel with the main road. Go through a grove of chestnut trees and along a narrow path by the edge of a small field. Enter woodland by going through a gap on the left and turn right on a wide path, leading to the old Trévannec manor farm complex in less than ½ mile. This ruinous farm (renovation now ongoing) has archways and some stone carving among its interesting features.

5. Go straight on across a junction, passing an old stone fontaine and a lavoir. Rise towards the suberb of Guerdy on the outskirts of Pont-L’Abbé. Follow a surfaced residential road, when you emerge from the woods there are no names on the roads. The Avenue Ménez Bihan is the one leading off to the right. As the avenue sweeps round to the left, a signpost with green waymark points to the right. A little connecting path leads to our riverside outward route. With a left turn, this can be used to return to the car parking. Otherwise, pass a roundabout and bear right, along a little road, then turn right again to regain the Quai St Laurent.

Disclaimer: This route was correct at time of writing. However, alterations can happen if development or boundary changes occur, and there is no guarantee of permanent access. These walks have been published for use by site visitors on the understanding that neither HPB Management Limited nor any other person connected with Holiday Property Bond is responsible for the safety or wellbeing of those following the routes as described. It is walkers' own responsibility to be adequately prepared and equipped for the ‎level of walk and the weather conditions and to assess the safety and accessibility of the walk.