Le Canal de Nantes à Brest

Canals & intimate rivers

Short trip

75 Km

I begin / Family

Chateaulin

Carhaix-Plouguer

From Brittany's largest port to the city of the Dukes, the Canal de Nantes à Brest is a long blue ribbon that crosses inland Brittany. Although the Canal de Nantes à Brest is traditionally described from south to north-west, we're proposing a journey that goes against the grain! The cycle-friendly towpath winds through the most beautiful valleys in Brittany, from the Aulne to the Erdre, via the Blavet, the Oust and the Vilaine. Connecting several rivers, this canal is a treasure trove of ingenuity and a real technical challenge, with 236 locks punctuating the route used by leisure boats. From Carhaix, we invite you to continue your adventure on the canal as far as Nantes, following the route detailed on the La Vélodyssée itinerary.

Elevation of the route

20 m 94 m

Waytypes of the cycle route

Cycle path: 74,47 km By road: 0,29 km

Surface of the cycle route

Lisse: 0,68 km Rugueux: 74,09 km

The Nantes-Brest canal is bike-friendly between Chateaulin and Nantes

While the waterway connects Nantes to Brest, the cycling route between Chateaulin and Nantes is easy.

This section is entirely on the canal towpath, and the route is flat and sheltered from cars, making it a perfect way to start your cycling trip or to cycle with the family.

This first section of the Canal de Nantes à Brest describes the route between Chateaulin and Carhaix. The rest of the route is described on our website, via the La Vélodyssée itinerary, which follows the canal towpath to the center of Nantes.

Route signposting between Chateaulin and Carhaix

It's easy to find your way as you follow the towpath all the way.

Crossroads of cycle routes at Port de Carhaix

Several itineraries cross at Port-de-Carhaix, so if you want to continue your journey on the Canal de Nantes à Brest, follow the towpath signs for La Vélodyssée all the way to Nantes.

You can also reach Concarneau on "Voie 7", or head up to Roscoff on La Vélodyssée!