Emerald Coast by bike: an unforgettable Breton getaway
How about taking 4 days to enjoy an incredible experience cycling from Erquy to Cancale? DolceVia organizes tailor-made trips, including bike rentals, equipment, and accommodations. Send us a request to build your trip together.
- Start
- Erquy
- Finish
- Cancale
- Distance
- 100 km
- Duration
- 4 days
- Calculated ascent
- …
- Difficulty
- Easy
The route from Erquy to Cancale
Indicative route calculated between the listed stops. Distance and elevation gain may differ from the proposed trip.
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Planning this trip yourself? The route is yours to use.
The stay
Included
- Rental of a VTC and its accessories
- 3 nights with breakfast included
Optional extras
- electric bike or gravel bike, half board, 1 night in Cancale
- Wootz kitchen - cooking classes in Saint-Malo
What's on the program?
From Erquy to Matignon – The Great Departure Facing the Cliffs 🏖️
This first stage of 29 km takes you along the coast via quiet roads. Erquy welcomes you with its fishing port and the Cap d'Erquy: 70 meters of pink sandstone cliffs plunging into turquoise water. The route alternates between coastal sections and countryside, passing through Pléneuf-Val-André and its Belle Époque villas. The two-kilometer beach invites you to take a break before heading to Matignon via paths lined with hydrangeas. 🌺
Sights Not to Miss
The Cap d'Erquy is a classified natural site with trails among heather and gorse. In Pléneuf-Val-André, admire the seaside architecture from the 1900s along the promenade. For those who wish to make their journey easier, consider renting a suitable electric bike before your departure. ✨
Recommended Accommodations
In Matignon, you will find welcoming guest rooms with local breakfast. The family atmosphere will recharge you for the rest of your journey. Otherwise, Plancoët, 5 km away, offers more options. 🏡
©Tourisme BretagneFrom Matignon to Pleslin-Trigavou – Towards the Rance Valley 🌳
This second stage of 25 km takes you away from the coast to dive towards the estuary of the Rance. The hilly yet accessible route follows this maritime river where sailboats navigate up to Dinan. The banks alternate between small ports and discreet coves, while the vegetation changes: maritime pines, oaks, and chestnut trees replace the moors. To extend your Breton adventure, explore our Saint-Malo - Arzal itinerary that crosses the entire region. 🚴
Sights not to be missed
The Rance dam is a technical marvel: the world's first tidal power plant (1960s). You cross it by bike with a unique view of the estuary. Just after, Dinard and its Anglo-Norman villas are worth a 5 km detour. Saint-Suliac, listed among the most beautiful villages in France, deserves a stop. 🏰
Recommended accommodations
Pleslin-Trigavou is calm and rejuvenating. The campsites near the Rance offer spots with a view, some with unusual accommodations. Head to Dinan (10 km) for more options. 🏕️
©lavelomaritimeFrom Pleslin-Trigavou to Saint-Malo – The Highlight of the Show ⚓
27 km separate you from the corsair city. This stage follows the Rance and then joins the coast via secure bike paths. The arrival facing the ramparts is memorable. You pass through hamlets of blonde granite where hollyhocks grow against the walls. Saint-Suliac offers a perfect coffee stop before the final stretch. 🏴☠️
Sights Not to Miss
Saint-Malo intra-muros features 1.8 km of ramparts telling four centuries of maritime history. Climb for a 360° panorama of the bay. The Fort National (accessible at low tide) and the tomb of Chateaubriand on the islet of Grand Bé are must-sees. The beach of Sillon stretches for two kilometers. If you are coming from afar, our Paris - Saint-Malo itinerary will allow you to reach this coast from the capital. ⚡
Recommended Accommodations
Saint-Malo offers a wide choice: sea view hotels or family guesthouses. Book in advance during the high season. For an authentic experience, opt for a malouinière, these 18th-century shipowner residences. 🛏️
©lavelomaritime
From Saint-Malo to Cancale – The Gourmet Finale 🦪
18 km of pure happiness for this final stage. Head towards Cancale, the capital of Breton oysters, along a coastal road with the sea as your companion. Short, beautiful, and it ends with a seafood platter facing Mont-Saint-Michel. You ride between sea and countryside: Rothéneuf and its sculpted rocks, the Val, Le Verger... At low tide, the foreshore reveals its oyster parks. Our Saint-Malo - Cancale route with all-inclusive services can simplify your organization. 🌅
Sights Not to Be Missed
Cancale is authentic despite its fame. The Pointe du Grouin (5 km north) offers an exceptional panorama of the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel. The port of La Houle is the headquarters of oyster farmers: buy your oysters directly from the producers and enjoy them with your feet in the water. Simple and perfect. 🐚
Recommended Accommodations
Cancale is full of seafood restaurants and bay-view hotels. The guesthouses in the center offer excellent value for money. Treat yourself to a good meal: you’ve earned it after 100 km! 🍽️
Ready to hop on your bike for more adventures? The Emerald Coast is just the beginning. At DolceVia, we organize tailor-made cycling trips with bike rentals, accommodation bookings, and luggage transfers. All you have to do is pedal and enjoy. So, shall we go for it? 🚲✨
Good to know
- Free cancellation up to 60 days before departure
- Cancellation between 30 and 60 days: 50% refund
- Cancellation less than 30 days: no refund
- Clothing suitable for cycling (shorts/cycling shorts - essential, windbreaker, comfortable shoes)
- A water bottle (or bidon) to stay hydrated
- A first aid kit and your personal medication
- An external battery for your phone
- Rain gear (light poncho or waterproof jacket)
- A swimsuit, depending on the destination!
- And above all: your desire for adventure and discovery 🌿
- Bicycle equipment (panniers, helmet, puncture repair kit, etc.) is provided in all our packages.
- Easy: ideal for families or beginners, little elevation gain, 20 to 40 km/day
- Moderate: for travelers in good shape or those who want to take on a small challenge, 40 to 70 km/day
- Sporty: for long-distance enthusiasts or those used to riding a muscular bike, 70 km and more/day