Distance: 12.2 km
Duration: ~3h30 (plus ferry)
Difficulty: Moderate – Hard
Terrain: Coastal paths, field paths, rocky sections
Best season: April–October
Start/Finish: Roscoff ↔ Ferry / Île de Batz port
Explore the full loop with distance and route overview. Click through to Komoot if you would like to follow the route on the app.
Île de Batz lies just fifteen minutes by ferry from Roscoff, yet it feels removed from the mainland almost immediately. With a population of just over 450, life here centres around the small southern port where you arrive.
Before beginning the coastal loop, take a few minutes to wander through Pors Kernoc. White cottages and narrow lanes offer a gentle start before the path returns to the shoreline.
Route Description
From the port, head west back towards the coast. The route is simple: keep the sea on your left and follow the footpath that circles the island. No map is really required – the coastline guides you.
The path moves between rocky headlands, sandy beaches and quiet field tracks. There is no rush here. Stop where something intrigues you, detour down to the water, pause for a swim if the weather allows.
1. Arrival & Village Start
Step off the ferry into Pors Kernoc. Take your time in the village, then leave the harbour behind and follow the coastal path west. The route quickly narrows into quiet lanes and low stone walls.
2. Southern Shore
Keep the sea on your left-hand side. The path alternates between compact earth tracks and stretches of rock underfoot. Walking is steady and gently undulating.
3. The Western Edge
As you round the island’s western edge, the terrain becomes slightly rougher and more exposed. The coastline widens here, with long views back toward Roscoff and the mainland on clear days.
4. The Northern Stretch
The northern section is the longest and most open stretch of the loop. Expect a mix of rocky shoreline and pale sandy beaches. At low tide, sections of sand are easier to cross; at high tide, remain on the marked path.
5. Eastern Beach & Fields
Continuing east, the path passes the wide white sands of Penn an Ivern. The coastline softens here, with dunes and cultivated fields set slightly back from the shore. The walking feels calmer and less exposed.
6. Southern Return
As you turn south, you’ll pass the campsite, coastal battery remains and the botanical gardens – clear signs you are nearing the village again. The final stretch follows quiet lanes back toward the harbour and ferry quay.
Points of Interest
- Fields of Early Produce: Much of the island’s interior is given over to market gardening. Potatoes, cauliflower, fennel, carrots, celery, pink onions and shallots thrive in the mild maritime climate. Île de Batz is particularly known for its pomme de terre primeur – early potatoes traditionally fertilised with seaweed gathered from the surrounding shore.
- The Corsaire’s House (1711): Built in the early 18th century, this granite house is believed to have served as a lookout for privateers guarding the island’s approaches. Its position reflects the strategic importance of these waters in centuries past.
- The Lighthouse of Île de Batz (1836): Standing 42 metres high, the lighthouse remains one of the island’s defining landmarks. Visitors can climb to the top for expansive views, and the small museum inside offers insight into the life of former lighthouse keepers.
- Ruins of St Anne’s Chapel: Now partially collapsed, the chapel stands on the site of a much older monastic foundation linked to Paul Aurelian, a 6th-century Welsh monk. Its remains hint at the island’s early religious history.
- Jardin Georges Delaselle: Founded in 1897, this botanical garden shelters an unexpected collection of subtropical plants. Thanks to the island’s microclimate, species from distant regions grow comfortably here, creating a surprising contrast to the surrounding coastal landscape.
Practical Tips
Ferry: Roscoff ↔ Île de Batz (~15 minutes.) Check seasonal timetables.
Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes with grip; paths are sandy and rocky in sections.
Safety: Shade is limited on this hike. Bring water and sun protection in summer.
Water & Snacks: Next to no shops / restaurants on the trail – bring provisions.
Shorter Alternative
Distance: 7.1 km
Duration: ~2h15 (plus ferry)
Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
Start/Finish: Roscoff ↔ Ferry / Île de Batz port
If time is limited, focus on the eastern side of the island. The white sand beaches and the botanical gardens offer the most varied scenery before returning to Pors Kernoc to pause before the ferry back to Roscoff.