The Pointe de Pen-Hir circuit is a 9-kilometre coastal walk on the Crozon Peninsula in Finistère, beginning and ending at the large free car park at the peninsula's westernmost tip. The Crozon Peninsula forms part of the Parc Naturel Régional d'Armorique, and the Pen-Hir headland is one of the most dramatic coastal viewpoints in mainland Brittany, with sheer schist cliffs dropping approximately 70 metres to the Atlantic.
From the car park the main path leads immediately to the Pointe de Pen-Hir lookout, where the famous Tas de Pois — a cluster of sea-stack rocks emerging from the swell below — reach a maximum height of 48 metres. A stone memorial to the Bretons of the Free French Forces (inaugurated 1951) stands at the highest point of the headland, inscribed with Breton département names. The views extend south across the Baie de Douarnenez and north toward the Presqu'île de Quiberon on clear days.
The circuit continues along the cliff-top sentier des douaniers (GR34) heading north toward Pointe de Dinan, where a natural rock arch — one of the largest on the Breton coast — separates the peninsula tip from the main coastline. The path descends to small beaches at Beg ar Gador and Beg ar Velec before climbing back onto inland heath for the return leg to the car park.
Surface underfoot is compacted earth and short-cropped heathland, with stone steps on steeper cliff descents. No scrambling is required. Wind exposure is significant — Pen-Hir and Dinan face the full force of Atlantic weather systems with minimal shelter — and a windproof jacket is essential at any time of year.
No facilities exist on the circuit beyond the car park. The nearest services are in Camaret-sur-Mer, 3 kilometres to the north, with restaurants, a bar, and a small market. No public transport serves Pen-Hir directly.
Trail facts
- Trail area
- Camaret-sur-Mer, Finistère
- Best season
- May–October
What to bring
- Walking shoes
- Windproof jacket
- Camera
- Water
Location
Parking at Pointe de Pen-Hir, 29570 Camaret-sur-Mer
48.2421, -4.6135 View on map
Highlights
- Tas de Pois sea stacks rising 48 m from the Atlantic swell below the 70-m Pen-Hir schist cliffs
- Memorial to the Bretons of the Free French Forces — one of Brittany's most significant WWII commemorative sites
- Pointe de Dinan natural rock arch, one of the largest coastal arches in Brittany, midway on the circuit
- Panoramic views across the Baie de Douarnenez from the headland, extending to the Pointe du Raz on clear days
- Clifftop heath wildflowers in spring: sea thrift, kidney vetch, and stonecrop across the exposed schist slopes
Tips for visiting
- Arrive before 9 am in peak summer to secure a space in the busy Pen-Hir car park, which fills completely by mid-morning on sunny weekends
- A windproof jacket is essential regardless of season — Atlantic gales reach this exposed headland even in July
- Walk the circuit clockwise to reach Pointe de Dinan in afternoon light, which illuminates the rock arch from the west
- Camaret-sur-Mer (3 km north) has excellent seafood restaurants and the medieval Vauban Tour Dorée fort — worth combining with the walk
- Children should be supervised closely near the cliff edge sections where paths approach unfenced drops
When to visit
May to October offers the best walking conditions; late May and early June are ideal for clifftop wildflowers. Avoid peak summer weekends when car park capacity is exceeded and the main headland viewpoint is heavily crowded.
Accessibility
The Pen-Hir circuit is not accessible for wheelchair or pushchair users on the cliff-path sections. The car park has a short paved path leading to a viewing platform adjacent to the main headland lookout, providing accessible views of the Tas de Pois sea stacks without joining the walking trail.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Pen-Hir circuit suitable for children?
The circuit suits confident children accustomed to walking. The 9-km distance is manageable for most children aged 8 and above, but the unfenced cliff-edge sections require close supervision. The terrain is not technical, but wind and exposure need to be factored in.
Is there public transport to Pointe de Pen-Hir?
There is no public transport directly to Pen-Hir. Camaret-sur-Mer is served seasonally by bus from Crozon town (which connects by bus from Brest). From Camaret, Pen-Hir is a 3-km walk or short taxi ride along the D8 road.
How busy does the Pen-Hir car park get in summer?
The car park fills completely by mid-morning on sunny summer weekends. Arriving before 9 am or after 4 pm avoids the busiest period. Overflow parking is available on the D8 roadside approaching the headland.
What is the WWII memorial at Pen-Hir?
The Mémorial des Bretons de la France Libre was inaugurated in 1951 to honour Breton volunteers who served with de Gaulle's Free French Forces during World War II. The memorial cross is inscribed with Breton département names and is the site of annual commemorations.