Plouharnel - Crucuno circuit
Features of the route
Difficulty
Easy
Length
2h00
Distance
8.3km
Easy Yellow markings
The Crucuno dolmen is a Neolithic monument now stripped of its tumulus and access corridor. The latter was once described by W.Lukis (1864) as 27 m long, and is still visible on engravings from the early 19th century. Today, only 2 pillars remain from the corridor and the burial chamber, covered by an imposing slab estimated to weigh over 30 tonnes.
Departure point: Kerarno village parking lot
Take the path to the right around the pond. At the intersection, cross the road and take the track opposite. Continue straight ahead, then turn right at the next junction.
At the next intersection, turn left and follow the track up to the Crucuno quadrilateral, a megalithic enclosure now comprising 22 menhirs, two of which lie flat. Classified as a historical monument since 1889, it was restored by Félix Gaillard in the same period. He erected and laid out the menhirs, which were then lying on their sides, in order to orientate them on the cardinal points and match the diagonals to the sunrises and sunsets at the solstices.
Continue along the path and turn left towards Crucuno and its dolmen, one of the most emblematic in the area. Take the path on the left, passing between two houses. Follow the path for about 500m.
At the intersection, take the path to the right and continue to the Kergazec washhouse. At the washhouse, turn left and enjoy the architectural heritage as you pass through the hamlet.
On leaving the village, take the left-hand track at the intersection. Go straight ahead for a few metres, then turn left to leave the circuit and admire the Kergazec dolmen. Dating from between 4300 and 3800 BC, this corridor tomb was restored by Zacharie Le Rouzic in 1935 and classified as a Monument Historique in 1945.
Retrace your steps to find the circuit and continue straight on to the 18th-century chapel of Saint-Antoine, which includes a devotional fountain, a wash-house, a cross, a calvary and a lec'h. The figures of Saint Antoine and Saint Eloi, invoked to protect livestock and horses, are depicted in the interior stained-glass windows and statues.
Go around the chapel, cross the road and take the path opposite. Continue straight ahead on the track, then turn opposite at the intersection, skirting the electricity substation. At the next intersection, turn left in front of the detached house, then left again to continue along the path. Just before, look out for the alignment and the Vieux Moulin mound on the right.
At the next intersection, turn right and follow the Varquez pond to the left. At the next intersection, turn left up the path to the Mané Remor dolmens, badly damaged during the German occupation in WWII. The highest point in the commune, it was here that German troops installed a relay antenna, which they blew up as they retreated, along with the megalithic tombs.
Retrace your steps, then take the path on the left and follow it up to the road. At the road, take the path on the left and continue to the village of Kernevé. Cross the village, then at the road take the grassy path immediately to the left to return to the parking lot.
Please note that the paths may be flooded in winter. The trail is open from May to October.
For more information, see the booklet "Le sentier des mégalithes de Plouharnel" available from your local Tourist Office.
The Crucuno dolmen is a Neolithic monument now stripped of its tumulus and access corridor. The latter was once described by W.Lukis (1864) as 27 m long, and is still visible on engravings from the early 19th century. Today, only 2 pillars remain from the corridor and the burial chamber, covered by an imposing slab estimated to weigh over 30 tonnes.
Departure point: Kerarno village parking lot
Take the path to the right around the pond. At the intersection, cross the road and take the track opposite. Continue straight ahead, then turn right at the next junction.
At the next intersection, turn left and follow the track up to the Crucuno quadrilateral, a megalithic enclosure now comprising 22 menhirs, two of which lie flat. Classified as a historical monument since 1889, it was restored by Félix Gaillard in the same period. He erected and laid out the menhirs, which were then lying on their sides, in order to orientate them on the cardinal points and match the diagonals to the sunrises and sunsets at the solstices.
Continue along the path and turn left towards Crucuno and its dolmen, one of the most emblematic in the area. Take the path on the left, passing between two houses. Follow the path for about 500m.
At the intersection, take the path to the right and continue to the Kergazec washhouse. At the washhouse, turn left and enjoy the architectural heritage as you pass through the hamlet.
On leaving the village, take the left-hand track at the intersection. Go straight ahead for a few metres, then turn left to leave the circuit and admire the Kergazec dolmen. Dating from between 4300 and 3800 BC, this corridor tomb was restored by Zacharie Le Rouzic in 1935 and classified as a Monument Historique in 1945.
Retrace your steps to find the circuit and continue straight on to the 18th-century chapel of Saint-Antoine, which includes a devotional fountain, a wash-house, a cross, a calvary and a lec'h. The figures of Saint Antoine and Saint Eloi, invoked to protect livestock and horses, are depicted in the interior stained-glass windows and statues.
Go around the chapel, cross the road and take the path opposite. Continue straight ahead on the track, then turn opposite at the intersection, skirting the electricity substation. At the next intersection, turn left in front of the detached house, then left again to continue along the path. Just before, look out for the alignment and the Vieux Moulin mound on the right.
At the next intersection, turn right and follow the Varquez pond to the left. At the next intersection, turn left up the path to the Mané Remor dolmens, badly damaged during the German occupation in WWII. The highest point in the commune, it was here that German troops installed a relay antenna, which they blew up as they retreated, along with the megalithic tombs.
Retrace your steps, then take the path on the left and follow it up to the road. At the road, take the path on the left and continue to the village of Kernevé. Cross the village, then at the road take the grassy path immediately to the left to return to the parking lot.
Please note that the paths may be flooded in winter. The trail is open from May to October.
For more information, see the booklet "Le sentier des mégalithes de Plouharnel" available from your local Tourist Office.