Tonquedec

Walk of the Month

May 2007

Le Château de Tonquedec

10kms 2½hrs

Tonquédec is 11kms S.E. of Lannion, on the D31.

From the village, follow signs to the château

This is a very special walk, with fine natural scenery including a stretch along the wide River Léguer, and much interesting architecture along the way. One or two short climbs but a fairly easy route.

The Château de Tonquédec, dating from the 13th century, is a well-preserved castle with interesting remains spanning hundreds of years. It is open to the public in the afternoon from April to September.

Château de Tonquédec

Directions

1. With the castle behind you, walk a few metres up the road and take a narrow path up into the trees on the right. Continue ahead on this path, past an old fontaine down on the left. At a junction of paths, turn right up to a small road.

2. Here turn left and go ahead through the hamlet of Kergastel. Continue for about 250m to the next hamlet and here turn right onto a track, which soon gradually descends.

3. After about 500m, turn left sharply downhill on a narrow path. Continue downhill and bear right at the stream, then across a bridge.

4. Going uphill again, follow the path, turning right at 90° towards the hamlet of Kernalégan. Here you come out by the calvaire: continue up the road ahead among the houses. Turn right up a track (where the road bends left) to the Chapelle de Kérivoalan.

5. Continue on the track ahead into the wood past the chapel. (If you want to see its fontaine, there is a path on the left once you have entered the trees a little further on). In the wood, go left at a junction of paths and continue downhill to the river Léguer.

6. Turn right along the river. After about 300m you reach a bridge over the river (behind a little house). Cross here. (For some things to see before continuing the walk, see below.)

7. Turn right and follow the path along the river for 2.2kms. At the bridge rejoin the road, cross the river and walk back up hill to the château about 200m ahead.

Diversions, once you have crossed the double bridge over the Leguer.

There is a huge ancient mill (of the Château de Kergrist) to the left by the river, which is well worth a look. Following a steep narrow path diagonally up the hillside behind it for about 200m will then bring you to the unusual Chapelle Saint-Fiacre and an old manor house beside it.

Following the wide track directly ahead uphill from the bridge for 750m will bring you to the Château de Kergrist, an impressive 15th century building with later additions and a famous garden, open to the public.