Dinard – Saint Malo hiking day trip

Hi Eddplorers ! In this article, I’m going to share with you a a day trip Dinard-Saint-Malo. It’s a 3 hours walk along the sea between Dinard and Saint-Malo.

First step: Take the boat

Let’s go to the Dinan’s door, along the ramparts of Saint-Malo where you will find the Compagnie Corsaire, go to the corner to buy your ticket for the boat shuttle. I have enjoyed the 10 minutes crossing to take beautiful pictures of Saint-Malo Intramuros. If like me you start this outing on the morning you will appreciate the morning light on the sea !

1o minutes later…

Here we are in Dinard a famous seaside resort who has been founded on the 19th century by British people. It’s THE upper city on the Emerald Coast… maybe because they organize every years a big movie festival that welcomed some great artists.

Find the right way

When you arrive in Dinard, go along the beach and you just have to follow the GR34 marker (red and white) on Promenade des Alliés.

Then discover the “Promenade du clair de lune” 

Maybe my favorite part of the walk because it allows you to have a view over Saint-Malo but also to walk along fancy houses who caraterized Dinard the most.

And appreciate the nature

After the beach Plage du Prieuré it’s the wilder part of the way. You are in a peaceful nature. Don’t forget to keep your eyes wide open, I have managed to see a squirrel among some pine trees!

Cross the “Barrage de la Rance”

This dam is like the border between the sea and  La Rance river. In this place there is also “l’usine marémotrice” wich is a factory that creates electricity by the force of the sea. This bridge is also a meeting spot for the fishers of the bay.

On your way, La Tour Solidor

You can’t miss it, I already saw this tower when arriving in Dinard ! This fortress takes integral part of the setting of the harbour. It was built in the middle age in order to protect the estuary.

To finish with a little bit of history

We climb a little and here we are on the top of the Cité d’Aleth. Because of its panorama, this strategic view on all the bay made it an important place during the WWII. Today you can find a museum about the WWII, I personaly didn’t visit it, but know that as you walk you can have a look at the strongpoints. That impressed me to see the importance of the tankshells. However this cité will provide you by is preserved environment.

Why I love this walk

I spent a great time to discover this various landscape and some natural corners. This is also an opportunity to access little coves and see tipical locations of Brittany. It’s an available way for you, wich is really cute!

Check our vlog about this daytrip!

How to get there:

• Direct train from Dol to Saint-Malo (16mins).  Check the schedule at Edd Hostel reception or on SNCF
• Then go by feet (28mins.) to Porte de Dinan (along the remparts of Saint-Malo Intramuros). You can also take the bus (number 2-1) between the train station and intramuros and walk along the remparts to join Dinan’s door.
• Take the boat shuttle between Saint-Malo and Dinard. Check the schedule at Edd Hostel or on the Compagnie Corsaire website.

Where to eat: If you want to eat local food you can take a break just before the Solidor Tower. Here you have a lot of restaurants with a beautiful view, and where you can have mussels with french fries or a dish with fish.  If you prefer to enjoy the nature, you can take your sandwich and choose one of the hidden coves that you can find on your way and eat on the spot.

If you want another trip ideas in Bretagne check on our blog.

My rate: 5/5

In: Full day trip, Very favorite

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