Around the Gulf of Morbihan – the races of L'Ultra Marin

The Gulf of Morbihan is hailed as one of the most beautiful bays in the world. The waves flow inland here for almost 25 kilometres (16 mi), making this natural paradise unique in France. Nicknamed the ‘Pearl of Southern Brittany’, it’s home to 40 islands and boasts breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife and historic towns.

Since 2005, the L'Ultra Marin association has organised a running event that utilises the gulf’s hiking trails, including several sections of the iconic GR 34 Customs Officers’ Path. A total of 10,000 runners take part in the seven events organised over three days. All the routes finish in Vannes city centre:

- Grand Raid, 105 kilometres (65 mi)
- Raid, 100 kilometres (62 mi)
- L'Arvor, 56 kilometres(35 mi)
- Ronde des douaniers, 34 kilometres (21 mi)
- La Vénète, 29 kilometres (18 mi)

This Collection showcases all of the routes and their unmissable highlights. You can plan and adjust the Tours to your preferences without missing the highlights. Although the routes are not very steep, the succession of short climbs and descents certainly add up. What's more, the paths are sometimes technical, with rocks and roots slowing your progress.

These routes can be enjoyed all year round. However, I'd advise opting for the spring and summer months, rather than the more challenging autumn and winter seasons.

To take on these routes, you’ll need good quality footwear, a windproof jacket and a waterproof layer if the weather turns rainy. Depending on the length of your outings, take plenty of water and food. Along the way, you'll pass through several towns where you can stock up on supplies.

Vannes has a railway station, making it easy to reach from Nantes, Rennes and Paris in just a few hours. The town also has a large bus network that serves many of the towns and villages in the region. For all the Tours, I provide details of how to get to the starting point from Vannes. More information about the bus network can be found here: kiceo.fr (in French).

I hope you enjoy these spectacular landscapes.