To the Bay of Morlaix
This a lovely ride through the Cote D'armor department to the North coast and then to a hotel overlooking the bay of Morlaix. As a route it is a little more demanding than say 'Carnac or bust' as it takes you through the quiet moorland above Callac, but it certainly isn't a hard route and distances are shorter than the Carnac route. Less developed and less touristy than the South coast the beaches are rocky and varied and go out miles when the tide is out. Total is around 200 kms for the week. This year we will offer a 'long' and 'short' version. The short is essentially as the one on the map shown the long will miss out Huelgoat and so have a longer day from Callac to The coast - up to just under 40 miles. This will give 3 nights on the coast which you may well prefer as there's lots to see there, especially the port of Morlaix. Just specify the preference when you book:-)
Saturday - a 3 km wobble to the Hotel at Bon Repos.
Day 1 - 30 kms.
This takes you through country lanes to the little town of Callac. This hotel is run by a Basque couple who have refurbished the hotel and produce Basque meals in their hotel. I'd highly recommend eating here, but then I'm a huge fan of Basque cooking and it'll be very different from the other restaurants en-route.
Day 2 - 30 kms.
Huelgoat is a gorgeous little market town set by the lake (as is the hotel) and the ride to it takes you through the national park L'Armorique, quiet and unspoit countryside...Day 3 -43 kms
Today a ride through lanes and little villages to the coast, with more than your fair share of downhill! Then along the coast to your hotel which is set just 50m from the sea. Their website is here. The seafood at the restaurant is all caught fresh in the bay...
Day 4
A day (two days if you chose the 'long' option) to explore the coast. The beautiful port of Morlaix, with it's viaduct towering over the centre, and expensive yachts tucked up by the carpark in their marina - this is within easy reach to the East and sweeping beaches to Plestin to the West. Or see the market at Loquerec - Or just be lazy...
Day 5 - 40 kms.
Away from the coast and a climb - back into the unspoilt countryside of this part of France. The route is the hilliest of the week, but that's why it's so short. At the end you come to the hotel 'Relais de Argoat' in the village of Belle-isle-en-Terre. It's a cracking restaurant as well, wonderful food and not expensive.
Day 6 - 41 kms.
More meanderings in country lanes - and at the end a stay in a little family run Chambre D'Hotes (see their website here) where you will be very well fed and 'watered' for silly money!
Day 7 - 10 kms
A short sweet ride back to base - mostly downhill too!