Distance: 5,5 km
walk
Duration: 2h
Difficulty : Average
Departure: Hourtin
Red
Around water (canal, stream, lake, marsh, ...)
Forests
Hourtin
After the Lagune de Contaut and the oak trail in Hourtin, extend your route to discover the Crêtes trail. A 2-hour red-marked circuit in the heart of the so-called "modern" dunes. Walk to the highest point of the reserve to observe the view of the Lagune de Contaut and its marshy areas.
Your itinerary
1
Leaving the car park
The starting point is located between Hourtin Plage and Hourtin Ville at a place called Contaut. After having crossed the hamlet, at the crow's feet park in the car park near the chapel of Contaut and take the red markings on the duckboards.
2
Discovery stations
Take a tour of the Lagune de Contaut and discover the explanatory stations on this environment. Awaken your senses to hear bird species, see otter footprints, observe the heron, or even imitate the drumming of the woodpecker.
3
The observatory
Arrive at the observatory, you can use the binoculars to observe the bird species then follow the blue markings to the cycle path
4
Cycle path
Follow the cycle path to the entrance on the right of the oak path.
5
century-old oaks
Follow the path and observe all around you the remarkable century-old oak trees that adorn this forest.
6
the source of the Pelous
Continue this path and keep your eyes open! Below the dune, you can see some remains of the old source of the Pelous materialized by a small brick building. Indeed, it is said that in 1908 mineral water was marketed natural "The Sovereign", from the sources of the Pelous. The water is said to be sulphurous and ferruginous, with therapeutic properties. But the commercialization was only short-lived. It is also called the source of Petit Mont.
7
Back
Continue your loop following the red signs for the ridge path in the dune.
8
Point of view
At the crossroads you must cross the road (caution) and join the path to continue. This end of the course in the dunes but shaded, will bring you to the top of the dune where a point of view on the forest, the lagoon, the marsh and the lake of Hourtin are offered to you at the orientation table.
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