Two Chateaux and the Blavet

Though this isn't one of the shortest routes it is one of the easiest - with almost half the distance being on the canal towpath and old railway track/cyclepath. Where it does use roads it is very quiet and the only days with anything that could be called hills are the last two (when you should be more ready for it) and both pretty short. This makes it a perfect route for people looking for quiet easy cycling or for those with teenage children on their own bikes - who you don't trust...

The route also visits the two 'Chateaux' towns of Josselin and Pontivy. The former is a beautiful medieval French town with a fairy tale castle - the latter a Napoleonic town with the kind of chateaux designed to keep people OUT! It also has a rather tempting area of shops and bars... Other than that it's quiet and very beautiful countryside.

Day 1. - Sunday (but if you arrve early you could do this on Saturday...).15 kms

Almost all off road as you follow first the Canal to the Sunday morning market at Bon Repos then the old railway track by the Lac de Guerledan to the village of Mur-de-Bretagne. Then down to the campsite by the lake.

Day 2. - 35 kms

Today all on country lanes and the canal towpath as you wind your way though the countryside to the large village of Rohan, a good restaurant in the hotel there, but also other places to eat if you wish.

Day 3. - 27 kms

An easy day, short and all on the tow path, easy to do in a morning leaving the afternoon to explore. This section of canal is really pretty and with a million picnic places - of course Josselin is gorgeous.

Day 4. - 43 kms

This is the longest day and cross country all on quiet lanes. However if this sounds too far there is a stop you can make half-way at Nazin. However if you do this you lose tomorrows day off in Pontivy - very much up to you.

Day 5 - A day off...

You can laze at the campsite at St Nicolas des Eaux (with it's swimming pool) take a boat trip up the river, or cycle the towpath the 15 kms into Pontivy for a day to see the chateaux. It's a bustling town which because of the short distance you'll have plenty of time to explore.

Day 6 - 25 kms

A very pretty (and short) to take you to the little market town of Guemene with it's tiny campsite set by a stream. If you are feeling fit and if you want to make time up you could continue the 22 kms to Gouarec scheduled for tomorrow?

Day 7 (Saturday morning)- 22 kms

A short ride back to Gouarec and our base with the last 7 kms being downhill and on the canal towpath - allow a couple of hours.