Photo: Maison du Tourisme de Cherbourg
ITINERARY | HIGHLIGHTS | WEATHER | ACCOMMODATION & ADDITIONAL INFONORMANDY - THE COTENTIN COAST 2010
The Norman Finistere, south of Cherbourg
6 nights/5 days walking - self-guided walking
This 'Norman Finistere', just west and south of Cherbourg, conceals in the smallest hamlets and all along its coastline mossy houses, poetic little churches, shallow valleys fading into misty distances; a coastline sometimes marked by seemingly limited dunes and gleaming beaches reflecting the sky, sometimes by sharply defined granite outcrops.
PRICE
£450 per person based on two people sharing
- Single supplement: £75 Further supplement for person travelling alone £75
INCLUDED
Accommodation in hotels 2** and 1* on half-board
- Meal basis: Breakfast and dinner
- Luggage transfer between overnight stops.
- Loan of route instructions with maps (one for up to 4 people)
NOT INCLUDED
Meals and transfers not mentioned in the itinerary, drinks and lunches, taxe de sejour (small local accommodation tax sometimes payable to hotels).
DEPARTURE DATESDepartures every day from 15 April to late-October
To book email:
walking@star.co.ukT: (44)
(0)1242 254353
Day 1: Arrival at Urville-Nacqueville for dinner and overnight..
Day 2: Urville-Nacqueville - Port Racine. Walk sometimes along the dunes, at others along fields, then a coastal path which wanders among the cliffs. Pass close to Millet's birthplaceand follow little tracks and rocky creeks to Port Racine, the smallest port in France, where you will reach your hotel overlooking the sea.
14 kms/8.75 miles. 4.5 hours approx.
Day 3: Port Racine - Biville. After Nez Bayard, walk to Goury (a port famous for sea rescues); then, walk beside the sea to reach Nez de Voidries. Views over Nez de Jobourg, an ornithological reserve, and, in clear weather, over the Channel Islands (Iles Anglo Normandes). From here the path zig-zags among the cliffs before a passage to Anse des Moulinets and to Herquemoulin. Then a coastal path to Vauville and on to the area of Biville.
23 kms/14 miles. 6 to 7 hours.
Day 4: Biville - Les Pieux. Begin this stage overlooking the Biville dunes, before continuing to Clairefontaine and on to the port of Dielette. After Flamanville pass by the ancient hamlets of Le Courtois and La Coquaise. Rejoin the coastal path as it passes over the cliffs and zig-zags above the sea.
23 kms/14 miles. 6 to 7 hours
Day 5: Les Pieux - Barneville. At low tide there is a possibility of shortening the route a little. Otherwise follow the coastal path via Rozel with its chateau and church. Continue to the Cape of Rozel and the statue of the Madonna of the Sailors. Then take the path, the track known as the Trompe Souris (followed by a passage over the dunes) before coming to Surtainville. Continue via the villages of Beaubigny and Hattainville to the Cape of Carteret and Barneville.
28 kms/17.5 miles. 7 hours approx.
Day 6: Barneville - Denneville. Continue along the coastal path along the dunes. Pass Le Havre de Portbail via the old bridge with its thirteen arches and arrive at the foot of the 11th century church of Portbail. If the tide is going down you can make use of a bridge across the Gristo reach Lindberg-Plage (swimming beach so named because the famous aviator flew over it) and then Denneville.
13.5 kms/8.4 miles. 3 to 4 hours
Day 7: Departure after breakfast.
DIFFICULTY OF WALK
Easy to moderate, with one long day (Day 5). Mild altitude changes of between 100 and 300 metres.
BACK TO TOPComfortable summer climate and gorgeous coastline
If you have done this walks before we would like to hear your personal highlights.
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ACCOMMODATION
Mixture of 1 and 2 star family run hotels.
GETTING THERE
TRAIN: From Paris to Cherbourg there are direct trains (about 3 hours). Then take taxi to Urville (between 20 and 30 euros).
The nearest station to Denneville is at Carentan.
CAR: Cars can be left without charge at your hotel in Urville.
WHAT TO TAKE:
Soft & flexible bags recommended rather than hard suitcases. Also towels, sunglasses, hats, non-slip shoes, sun cream, flashlight/torch.
Suitcases are restricted to 1 per person, each weighing no more than 15 kgs. INSURANCE
We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for any reason.
To book, contact
worldwalks at:
email:
walking@star.co.ukT: (44) (0)1242 254353