Brittany offers surprisingly varied cycling terrain for a region often imagined as uniformly coastal and flat: a coastline carved with coves and cliffs, granite moorland inland and legendary forests, all under an oceanic climate that keeps most terrain rideable nearly year-round.
1. The Crozon peninsula for families
The most dramatic route on this list: pink sandstone cliffs, rocky headlands battered by the Atlantic and sheltered coves, on a 30 km loop with 300 m of climbing. Hillier than most family routes in the catalogue, with a swim break possible at Morgat bay.
2. Gravel in the Monts d’Arrée
The highest ground in inland Brittany doesn’t top 400 m, yet its landscape of moorland, peat bog and granite boulder fields feels far more rugged than the numbers suggest. Expect around 45 km and 550 m of cumulative climbing between Roc’Trévezel and the Huelgoat forest.
3. Mountain biking in the Brocéliande forest
The legendary forest of Arthur and Merlin also offers approachable, enjoyable mountain biking: 30 km and 350 m of climbing on mostly smooth trails, with a possible detour past the Val sans Retour or the Fountain of Barenton to mix riding with local folklore.
4. The Gulf of Morbihan for families
A “little inland sea” dotted with over forty islands, explored on 32 km of near-flat cycle paths from Vannes. One of the most accessible routes in the catalogue, with views over the gulf at every turn.
Planning the trip
Finistère holds two of the four routes (Crozon, Monts d’Arrée), under an hour’s drive apart. Morbihan and Ille-et-Vilaine, further east, need a separate trip but stay close to each other — Vannes and Paimpont are just an hour apart by road.
