Hikes in Pleudaniel

Château La Roche-Jagu is picturesquely situated on a cliff high above the Le Trieux River, an estuary that extends far inland. Ten similar fortifications were built in the Le Trieux estuary during the 11th and 12th centuries, of which only this one remains today. The hike leads through the impressive park of the Renaissance castle, past ponds and exotic plants. After a short descent through an unspoiled forest in the side valley of the estuary, we reach a small dock on the banks of the Le Trieux. Additional stunning viewpoints make this tour a real treat.> From the large free parking lot, we take the main path to Château la Roche-Jagu01 (64 m). We walk through the medieval gardens, turn right in front of the castle, and at the wooden viewing terrace, we leave the upper gardens via a path branching off to the right. This path leads along a stone fortification wall. At the first fork in the trail, we walk 5 m toward the river, and at the next opportunity, we turn sharply right along a stone wall. We pass grapevines, fig trees, and olive trees. As soon as you see a pond below, take the path to the right at the next opportunity, cross the stream, walk uphill, and at the next opportunity, turn sharply left and then immediately sharply right again—now steeply uphill. Four wooden viewing platforms offer a beautiful view of the castle.The path ends in front of small chestnut trees, and we turn left, walking along the woven fence and under the wooden posts—which serve as trellises for plants. The path joins another trail, and we turn left, passing by ponds. After passing two wooden barriers, we leave the castle grounds and follow a farm road to a street. After walking a short distance to the left on the street, we turn left at the memorial stone onto the cross street. We ignore the left turn into the dead-end and the left turn downhill. We leave the road to Kerlouet at the next right-hand bend and continue straight ahead on a farm road. We ignore the first left turn into the forest; at the second, we turn left into the forest, the Bois La Roche-Jagu02 (54 m).Thanks to its sheltered location in this river valley, the original forest with its giant trees has been able to survive. At one point, the path joins the road, but after a few meters we turn right again onto a trail and reach the Port de la Roche-Jagu03 (4 m). Here, on the banks of the Trieux River, there is a small dock for sightseeing boats. Directly above the dock, a narrow path leaves the cove and leads to a wider trail, which we now follow along the upper reaches of the river.At a fork in the trail, we take the path slightly to the right and, after a few meters, reach the Rocher argénté04 viewpoint (4 m). To the right above us, the castle towers with its numerous chimneys. On the opposite bank stands a railway viaduct, over which the vintage train “La Vapeur du Trieux” runs during the summer months on the Paimpol–Pontrieux–Paimpol route—a lovingly restored museum train featuring a steam locomotive and five historic cars. The journey into the past begins at the historic Paimpol train station. Upon reaching a pasture, the trail leaves the riverbank and heads uphill to the left. The ascent follows a stream, and we cross a dirt road. As soon as we see a house slightly to the right, we head toward it, but then turn slightly to the left—before the stone wall—onto a narrow and mostly damp path through the Forest of La Roche-Jagu05 (52 m). The path leads to a farm road. At the next right-hand bend in the road, however, we continue straight ahead on a trail. We cross the next intersection and, depending on where we parked, turn right toward the parking lot and starting point.