Caurel on Lac de Guerlédan

Caurel lies on the shore of Lac de Guerlédan. Lac de Guerlédan is 12 kilometres long; opposite it are the plateaus of Caurel and Saint-Gelven, shaped by pastures and farmland. When looking for a hotel in Caurel, you can decide while planning whether to focus on the lake and water sports, hiking trails or the history of slate mining.

Hiking trails between the lakeshore and slate ridges

There are 40 kilometres of marked hiking trails around Lac de Guerlédan. Some run along the shore and others above the lake, making it possible to walk all the way around it. The routes therefore range from stretches close to the water to sections above the shore.

The Le Bois de Caurel hiking trail is 10.6 kilometres long, moderately difficult and takes about two and a half hours. Its route follows the winding shores of Lac de Guerlédan and leads to slate ridges with views of Forêt de Quénécan and the lake. Les Landes de Caurel is longer, at 14.2 kilometres, and starts at the car park by the church in Caurel. Check the route details before your hike; route specifications may change.

The hike through Bois de Kériven also follows in the footsteps of the historic slate workers, known here as “gueules bleues.” This means that one of the named hikes explores local working history, while other routes are described mainly in terms of their lakeside course or length.

Water sports and cruises on Lac de Guerlédan

Lac de Guerlédan is suitable for canoeing and kayaking, water skiing and sailing. Beau Rivage has one of the largest purpose-built beaches on the lake and is also the departure point for a cruise aboard the Duc de Guerlédan to explore the lake. The beach, water sports and a trip on the lake offer different options for planning your day.

The Duc de Guerlédan II offers a one-and-a-half-hour narrated cruise. In July and August, it runs daily at 3 p.m.; in April, May, June, September and October, it is available by reservation. The Duc de Guerlédan I offers a three-hour lunch cruise, available from April to October by reservation only. The two cruises differ in duration and format. Check seasonal schedules and reservation requirements before your trip.

Slate-mining history and Chapelle Saint-Golven

Slate mining in the area around Caurel and Mûr-de-Bretagne developed during the 17th and 18th centuries. In the 19th century, slate mining shaped the history of the village of Caurel. This historical connection is also reflected in Chapelle Saint-Golven: the 17th-century slate chapel is dedicated to Saint Golven, also known as Goulven.

In the past, the Pardon des carriers, the traditional pilgrimage or celebration of the slate workers, was held around the chapel. Together with the hike through Bois de Kériven, this historical connection offers another perspective on slate work: through the development of the village’s history and through the memory of the workers known as “gueules bleues.”

Discover more destinations: Ploubalay, Saint-Fiacre, Matignon, Paimpol, Langueux, Ploubezre, Plouisy, Ploézal

For the broader travel overview: Côtes-D’armor.