Road · France
Plumeliau – Mur-de-Bretagne
A rolling 81 km mixed-surface cycling loop from Kermaniec, Brittany through Kerascouet, Kerlodet and Le Pigeon Blanc, with 576 m of climbing. Mixed surface: 81% is mapped as paved and 17% as gravel or unpaved and 2% has no surface data.
At a glance
- Best for
- Rolling day rides for fit, experienced riders
- Distance
- 81.2 km
- Elevation gain
- 576 m
- Riding time
- 4–5½ hours
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike with sturdy tyres, or gravel bike
- Surface
- Mixed surface
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- May to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Kermaniec
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 576 m
- 81 km
Route description
- Kermaniec
- Kerascouet
- Kerlodet
- Le Pigeon Blanc
- Brohès
- La Porte d'en Bas
- Keronnec
- Le Gros Chêne
- Kerhoret
- Kermaniec
Starting from Plumeliau near Kermaniec, the route first climbs gently over 2.1 km with an average gradient of 2.7%, reaching 113 m at about 2.6 km. It passes numerous small localities and includes a mix of paved (81%) and gravel/unpaved (17%) surfaces. A notable climb begins around 30 km, concluding at 34.3 km with a high point of 290 m, after several shorter climbs averaging 2.6-3.8% gradients.
The road mix varies, with 41% on paths and tracks, 31% on main roads, and smaller shares on minor roads, quiet streets, and roads with cycle lanes. The longest stretch on main roads is 15 km on D 767. Services such as cafés, bars, bakeries, supermarkets, and restaurants are available at various points, including Pluneliau, Pontivy, and Mur-de-Bretagne. The longest stretch without café, shop, or water is 13.9 km between 65.9 and 79.8 km. Bailout points with stations exist at Pontivy (14.6 km) and Saint-Nicolas-des-Eaux (79.6 km).
The climbing is mostly in the first half (91% of gain), with flatter sections and descents in the second half. The steepest 500 m section is at 32.9 km at 10.2%. The profile includes gentle gradients predominantly, with 66% flat roads. Temperatures recorded in July reached 27°C.
Highlights
- Climb to 290 m at 34 km
- Longest main road stretch: D 767 for 15 km
- Mur-de-Bretagne at 31 km
- Bailout stations at Pontivy and Saint-Nicolas-des-Eaux
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 0.5 km | 2.1 km · 58 m · 2.7 % · max 3.5 % | 113 m |
| Unnamed climb | 21.1 km | 1.6 km · 41 m · 2.6 % · max 3.7 % | 115 m |
| Unnamed climb | 27.8 km | 1.9 km · 52 m · 2.8 % · max 4.1 % | 137 m |
| Unnamed climb | 30.1 km | 1.1 km · 43 m · 3.8 % · max 6.6 % | 175 m |
| Unnamed climb | 31.7 km | 2.5 km · 123 m · 5 % · max 10.4 % | 289 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (25.1 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 41% path · 31% main road · 19% minor road · 5% quiet street · 4% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 25.1 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 11.5 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 1.9 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- D 767 (15 km), D 768 A (4 km)
- Surface
- Mixed surface: 81% is mapped as paved and 17% as gravel or unpaved and 2% has no surface data.
- Gradient
- 16% climbing · 18% descending · 66% flat
- Steep sections
- 1.9 km over 5% · 0.8 km over 8% · 0.4 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 10.2% at 32.9 km
- Longest descent
- 2.1 km from 44 km, dropping 67 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 60 cafés and restaurants, 11 shops, 7 water points, 5 petrol stations, 16 public toilets and 3 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0.5 kmLe chalet · bar · 80 m off route
- 12 kmBoulangerie Marie Blachère · bakery · 60 m off route
- 13.8 kmTotal De Kerfourchette · petrol station · on the route
- 15.6 kmToilets · on the route
- 16.7 kmGoûts et saveurs · bakery · 30 m off route
- 22.6 kmBar Tabac l'Eden · bar · 210 m off route
- 30.5 kmIntermarché Contact · supermarket · 40 m off route
- 30.5 kmIntermarché · petrol station · 50 m off route
- 30.8 kmAuberge des blés d'or · restaurant · 90 m off route
- 41.7 kmLe Stankell - Bar à Bières · café · on the route
- 41.8 kmToilets · 40 m off route
- 48.2 kmPois Bleu · fast food · on the route
- 48.2 kmToilets · on the route
- 62.2 kmDrinking water · 150 m off route
- 64.1 kmPharmacie du Faubourg · pharmacy · 210 m off route
- 65.1 kmMaison Marguerite · bakery · 30 m off route
- 69 kmRepair stand · 50 m off route
- 79.8 kmDrinking water · 230 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 14.6 km — Pontivy (station), 120 m off route
- 79.6 km — Saint-Nicolas-des-Eaux (station), 70 m off route
Worth a stop
- 15.6 km — Château des Rohan (castle)
- 35 km — Chapelle de la Trinité (monument)
- 63.6 km — Tumulus de Nillizien (archaeological site)
- 70.6 km — Menhir de Kerhoret (archaeological site, 47 m)
- 79.9 km — Belvédère de Castennec (viewpoint)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Trains and ferries
- Saint-Nicolas-des-Eaux (1000 m)
- Food and coffee
- Le chalet (540 m), L'OPEN (590 m), Kristen (900 m)
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café/shop or water: 13.9 km from 65.9 to 79.8 km
- 25.1 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 11.5 km on roads with speed limit 80 km/h or more
- 1.9 km over 5% gradient including 0.8 km over 8%