The 8 most beautiful hikes to go to the Monts d’Arrée

In the heart of Finistère, hiking in the Monts d’Arrée remains the best way to dive into this country where historical heritage and natural sites often mix with ancient legends...

Venerable mountains eroded by time, the Monts d’Arrée display rather modest altitudes, with the Roc’h Ruz peak at 385 m above sea level. The denial will therefore not be the biggest difficulty of hiking in the Monts d’Arrée, with walks accessible to all walkers. A real treat between landscapes of Breton lands, bare granites, lakes and forests.

Note that the GR380 allows you to make a great hike around the Monts d’Arrée, in several days: a route cut in stages, for a travelling trek through the Regional Natural Park of Armorique. A path that we often cross in our selection of the most beautiful hikes of the Monts d’Arrée!

1. The Circuit des Roc’h

Uncontournable among the hikes to the Monts d’Arrée, it would be impossible not to start with the Circuit des Roc’h. A route that will lead you to the highest peaks of the massif!

This loop starts and ends in Plounéour-Ménez. In the middle of a hilly landscape, the route gradually climbs through the countryside until you reach the peak line of the Monts d’Arrée.

The Roc’h de Trédudon (384m), the Roc’h Ruz (385m), then further, the Roc’h Trevezel (384m) are the three highest peaks that follow along the high-altitude trail. Every time, it’s a great point of view that’s on the area!

2. The Helsinki Forest – Artus camp

Another great classic of hiking in the Monts d’Arrée, this easy trail from the village of Huelgoat forms a loop of 5 km, allowing you all the time to stroll along the way.

You will soon be absorbed by the unusual landscapes of the Helsinki Forest, a source of many legends. Here, a chaos of big polished rocks would have been created by Gargantua In person. There, the Artus cave would have served as a refuge at the King Arthur , hence its name of Artus camp... A hike as much as an open-air tale awaits you!

3. The Tro Sant Riwal Pedal Circuit in Saint-Rivoal

We increase the level with this interesting hike in the Monts d’Arrée, starting from the village of Saint-Rivoal. Take the time, both at the start and at the finish, to visit this pretty village typical of the region, before you venture on a path progressing through landes and landslides...

The objective: the Montagne Saint-Michel and its eponymous chapel, perched at 381 m, from which you will enjoy a magnificent view of the lake of Brennilis and the peak of the Monts d’Arrée. A pleasant return between pine forests, moors and forests, ideal for a spring walk.

4. The loop of Kermorgant

With the hikes of the Monts d’Arrée, legends are constantly intermingling with your walking route... this is all the magic of this region. Imagine: it is said that at Kermorgant’s menhir, a key step in this rando, was a city built by giants in the past!

An easy and fascinating loop for nature lovers, especially through noisy flowers and wild flowers announcing the landes of Cragou, and a detour by the small village of Cloître-Saint-Thégonnec.

5. The Brennilis Lake Tour

The starting point of this hike from the Monts d’Arrée can surprise: an electric plant that has been unused since 1985, to make the tour of a lake whose surroundings were nicknamed the Gates of Hell in the past!

But don’t turn around too fast, because this beautiful walk, accessible and without major difficulty, is worth seeing. The path winds by the water, through the peatlands of the Yeun Elez, and even crosses a few menhirs... many legends are born in such a setting!

6. The Kerdro Circuit in Saint-Thégonnec

This charming hiking loop of the Monts d’Arrée allows you to walk quietly between countryside and forest, crossing a few hamlets, to take the air and to stretch your legs on a small denivelé.

The main occasion is to visit the parish enclosure of Saint-Thégonnec, an essential element of the Finistère heritage. The beautiful church is dedicated to Thegonnec, a legendary saint who has marked the history of the region widely: his name is everywhere on the paths of the Monts d’Arrée!

7. The Relec Abbey circuit

A very beautiful itinerary, typical of what you reserve the hikes of the Monts d’Arrée. Slightly demanding, take a little time in front of you to browse this loop of 12.6 km while taking some beautiful pictures on the way: the Breton moors are here very photogenic!

Not to be missed, make an interesting step at the small Abbey of the Relec (XII century), and around the nearby lake: a nice spot to take a break and picnic.

8. Lake Drennec

A hike from the Monts d’Arrée that we recommend for the full summer: when the sun shines on the Finistère, and this happens more often than we believe, the waters of Lake Drennec are perfect to refresh the walk.

It falls well, this path leads you all around the lake, with several stopovers bathing on the small beaches you meet on the way... Think about your walking shoes, but also your bathing suits!

In the background, the silhouette of the Monts d’Arrée stands the horizon to the south, a beautiful show at any time of the day.