The Vélomaritime heads for Lannion, with a delightful warm-up for you, cycling beside the Bay of Saint-Michel-en-Grève. Bolder cyclists will enjoy tackling the detour to the port of Locquémeau via Trédrez's cliffs. A greenway leads you gently to Ploumilliau, then you climb away from the coast, heading a bit inland to reach the historic town of Lannion.

You leave the historic town of Lannion via its Brélévenez Quarter, looking down on the centre. You then cycle on through an iconic section of the Vélomaritime route – the Côte de Granit Rose, famed for its highly colourful rocks sculpted into extraordinary shapes by the elements, plus with the national nature reserve of Les Sept-Îles out to sea. Do take the link to extraordinary Ploumanac’h, making the most of stops beside remarkable sandy creeks along the way.

From Perros-Guirec, the Vélomaritime climbs to an agricultural plateau and then heads towards the little city of Tréguier. The alternative branches taking you to the coast are well worth the effort, leading to Plougrescant, Buguélès and its tidal mill, and the Port Blanc Archipelago, all offering exceptional landscapes in coastal areas that aren't generally overcrowded. At the end of this stage, you descend to the Jaudy Estuary, where Tréguier, designated a Petite Cité de Caractère for its cultural riches, is a lovely place to enjoy a well-deserved rest.

Between Tréguier and Paimpol, the Vélomaritime route straddles two estuaries, that of the Jaudy to the west, that of the Trieux to the east, these two rivers framing the presqu’île, or peninsula, of Lézardrieux. Enjoy the views over these estuaries where fresh water and sea water mingle. Midway along this stage, a link can take you north to a major geological curiosity, the Sillon de Talbert, a coastal bank made of sand and pebbles that protrudes 3.2km into the sea.

The Vélomaritime route leaves the port of Paimpol. Some may wish to head up to the Pointe de l'Arcouest, from which boats make the short crossing to the island of Bréhat. The main route, though, continues east, along Brittany's highest cliffs, via a mix of wild coastal stretches, rocky capes and sheltered coves. There are significant slopes along the way. The Pointe de Plouha, with its daunting cliffs, is the highest point on this stage, 104m in height. Don't miss the magical atmosphere at Le Palus Beach before reaching the fishing port of Saint-Quay-Portrieux.

Enjoy a coastal stretch typical of northern Brittany on this Vélomaritime stage, the little resort of Binic-Étables-sur-Mer standing out with its lovely sea views. It offers an ideal place to pause for a rest before carrying on to the city of Saint-Brieuc. The stretches of greenway, one looking down on Binic's port, another taking you via Harel de la Noë Viaduct, are a particular pleasure on a stage that is really demanding, with all its ups and downs. The Port du Légué marks the finishing line of this stage, a perfect place at which to enjoy a well-earned drink at a café terrace.

From Saint-Brieuc, you join the bay named after the city to then enjoy a lovely trip through its nature reserve. Cycling beside the strand, the Bay of Saint-Brieuc reveals a multitude of varied atmospheres, depending on time and tide. On the way to Erquy, enjoy the delights of the resort of Pléneuf-Val-André and the little port of Dahouët tucked away beside it. This stage proves quite challengingly hilly, with all its ups and downs. We're sure local man Bernard Hinault, a true cycling champion and icon, five times winner of the Tour de France, would concur!

With its mix of rocky headlands, stretches of moorland and sandy bays set beside turquoise waters, here you cycle through the Grand Site de France Cap d’Erquy - Cap Fréhel. Thanks to the links in place, you can easily ride up to some of Brittany's most exceptional sites, the Cap d’Erquy, the Cap Fréhel and Fort La Latte. The breathtaking views along the way are a reward for the quite significant slopes you have to tackle on this Vélomaritime stage!

Should you have time on your hands, head up first to the seaside resort of Saint-Cast-le-Guildo to make the most of its beaches. The Vélomaritime route then takes you on smoothly via minor roads to Pleslin-Trivagoua, which you reach riding along a stretch of the Dinan-Dinard greenway. On the way, stop at the Château du Guildo, enjoying exceptional views of the Arguenon Estuary.

To avoid crossing the dam over the Rance River, the Vélomaritime route takes you along minor roads around the Rance Valley. Midway along the stage, stop at Saint-Suliac, this historic fishermen's village a member of the association Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. Before long, the ramparts around the city of St-Malo come into view. Reaching this place's resort side, the wooden groynes projecting from the beach into the sea help calm the Channel's wilder waves.

Leaving the corsair city of St-Malo, the Vélomaritime leads you towards a port renowned for producing high-quality oysters, Cancale. Beyond St-Malo's great beach, seek out the carved rocks of Rothéneuf, the startling sculptures here executed by an abbot turned hermit. Midway along the stage, explore the peaceful village of Saint-Coulomb and La Ville Bague, a malouinière, or typical Ancien Régime manor built for a wealthy St-Malo merchant. Your reward at the end of the day's cycling is a tasting of oysters in the very pretty port of Cancale.

Welcome to a culinary stage to savour! Between Cancale and Le Vivier-sur-Mer, you ride past one of the Bay of the Mont Saint-Michel's major areas for mussel cultivation, reputed for its high-quality moules de bouchot (grown on posts and granted AOP status).

There it is, in front of you, drawing closer with each turn of the pedals – the magical Mont Saint-Michel! Heading for Normandy's medieval marvel by bike is surely the best way to approach the great abbey-topped island rising so startlingly out of the sea. A feast for the eyes, this stage also allows you to take in the charming bay-side village of Cherrueix with its windmills, St Anne's Chapel, the local marshes and polders, and the Couesnon River.