The Brocéliande Forest in autumn and winter | Destination Brocéliande in Brittany

Tips & best practice to enjoy the Brocéliande Forest in autumn and winter

Colourful foliage, morning mists, soft light and peaceful paths: autumn and winter reveal another side to Brocéliande.

This period is also important for the life and management of the forest. Hunting, timber harvesting, the maintenance of plots and the preservation of natural habitats must coexist harmoniously with outdoor activities and the exploration of the forest by walkers, families and all visitors.

From 15 September to 31 March, access to the forest changes.
The forest remains accessible via several sites and routes. However, some of the trails available in summer are closed, altered or replaced by alternative routes.

On this page, you’ll find useful information to help you choose your walk and enjoy Brocéliande at your leisure in autumn and winter.

Consult the mapAutumn–Winter

©
(C) Emmanuel Berthier, tous droits réservés

Faune sauvage au Vallon De La Chambre Au Loup — ©
Marie HOUSSIN

Forêt de Brocéliande en automne — ©
Emmanuel Berthier

Brocéliande, a remarkable and fragile forest

Behind the legendary landscapes of Brocéliande lie very real natural habitats: deciduous forests, dry heathland, grasslands on rocky outcrops, ponds, pools and wetlands.

Part of the Brocéliande Forest forms part of the European Natura 2000 network. This scheme aims to preserve remarkable habitats and species, whilst ensuring that human activities remain compatible with their conservation. The approach is based on striking a balance between biodiversity protection, forestry, agriculture, tourism and local life.

Enjoying Brocéliande also means taking care of what you have come to discover.

Discover the Brocéliande Forest Natura 2000 site

State-owned forest or privately-owned forest How do you find your way around?

The Brocéliande Forest consists of a small area of state-owned woodland and, for the most part, private land. Access conditions and the information available regarding hunting vary from one area to another.

Hunting in state-owned woodland

The Gaël-Paimpont state-owned forest belongs to the State and is managed by the National Forestry Office (ONF).

The ONF publishes a calendar of communal hunting days relating solely to this part of the forest. You can find the calendar provided by the ONF below.

This schedule is provided for information purposes only and may be subject to change during the season.

View the NFB’s official calendar

Forêt Brocéliande automne, Val sans retour — ©
SPL Brocéliande tourisme- Estelle Grégoire

Hunting on private woodland

From 15 September to 31 March, several routes crossing private land are closed or have been altered.

There is no single public calendar listing all the hunting activities organised on the various estates within the mountain range. Please be aware that hunting may be taking place (hunters will signal this from the road).

When a hunt is signposted

Do not enter the affected area;

Do not go past signs, barriers or other closure devices;

Follow the suggested alternative route;

Keep your dog on a lead;

If in doubt, choose another place to walk.

Hunting and driven hunts around Lake Trémelin, Iffendic

All walking and mountain-biking trails around Lake Trémelin are open all year round.

For small game hunting: the season runs from 20 September 2026 to 20 February 2027. Please be aware that hunting may be taking place (signalled by hunters on the road).

For big game drives, the dates for drives in Iffendic and the surrounding area are listed below. Please note that the locations are not fixed in advance (except around Trémelin and Careil). Further dates may ‘possibly’ be decided by the hunting associations. In any case, please be vigilant during your outings, whether you are encountering hunters, mountain bikers or walkers…

Find out more about Lake Trémelin

Where can we go for a walk?

Accessible sites

The Barenton Fountain (except on Thursdays)

The Valley of No Return (the Golden Tree, the Fairy Mirror, the ridges) (2 km)

The Guillotin Oak

The Hindrés Oak (except on hunting days)

Merlin’s Tomb (except on hunting days)

The Fountain of Youth (except on hunting days)

The Church of the Grail

Trécesson Castle (exterior only)

The Round Table of the New Knights

Paimpont Abbey

The activities

Brocéliande, the Gateway to Secrets

Brocéliande Bike

The Centre for Arthurian Imagination (until 31 October)

The Gardens of Brocéliande (until 1 November)

The Paimpont Forges (until 8 November)

Storytelling walks

Barenton horse-drawn carriage

Les Chevaux de Brocéliande riding centre

Treasure hunt: the Abgrall Mystery

Isane’s Walks

The Country House

Short walks

The Arbre d’Or and Val loop (2 km)

The Barenton loop (except on Thursdays) (3km)

The Enchanter’s Loop (4 km)

The Hindrés Loop (except on hunting days. Check with tourist information offices or look out for notices on site) (4 km)

The Poetic Walk Along the Water’s Edge (2 km)

The walk round Lake Trémelin (except on hunting days) (5 km)

Forest walks

No. 160 In memory of Merlin, starting from Saint-Malon-Sur-Mel (13km/3h30)

The Rennes moors, starting from Campénéac (12 km/3 hours)

No. 117 Trémelin Lake and moors, starting from Lake Trémelin in Iffendic (10 km/3 hours)

No. 118 ‘La Chambre au Loup’ circuit, starting from the Vallon de la Chambre au Loup in Iffendic (9km/3h)

Hikes in the vicinity

Megaliths Loop starting from Monteneuf (14 km/4 hrs 30 mins)

From Lake Trémelin to the ‘Chambre au Loup’ and the Boutavent estate, starting from Lake Trémelin in Iffendic (16km/5h)

Comper Circuit starting from Concoret (except on hunting days – please refer to the state forest hunting calendar) (16km)

Korrigans Trail starting from Concoret (12 km)

Mountain bike rides

The Rennes moors, starting from Campénéac (12 km/3 hours)

No. 11: The Roche Trébulente circuit, starting from the Lac de Trémelin tourist office in Iffendic (9.5 km/1 hr)

No. 3: The Serein Valley and the ‘Chambre au Loup’, starting from Monterfil (35 km/3 hrs 30 mins)

Why are some paths temporarily closed?

The forest is at once a natural environment, a place for walking, a collection of properties and a workplace.

A closure may be necessary to:

Ensure safety during a hunting operation;

To allow for the felling, transport or storage of timber;

To secure a path or a dangerous tree;

Respecting private property;

Protect a fragile natural environment;

To preserve a quiet area for wildlife.

Even when no activity is visible, a closure must always be respected.

Best practice in forestry

Before you set off

Check the map and make sure your route is accessible;

Check the hunting days if your route passes through state-owned woodland;

Download your route or take a map with you;

Make sure you’re wearing suitable footwear;

Plan your return journey before nightfall.

Whilst out walking

Stay on the designated paths;

Obey fences, gates and signs;

Keep your dog on a lead;

Take all your rubbish away with you;

Do not light fires;

Do not collect dead wood or pick wild flowers;

Park only in the designated areas.

Staying on the paths helps to respect private property, preserve the natural environment and minimise disturbance to wildlife.

Download the Hiker’s Charter

Mushroom picking

Mushroom picking is permitted only in state-owned forests, except on Tuesdays and Thursdays, all year round.

The maximum amount allowed is 5 litres per person per day.

To ensure responsible foraging:

only pick mushrooms that you recognise;

use a well-ventilated basket;

do not turn over the soil;

do not enter private property;

never eat your harvest if you are in any doubt.

You can have your basket checked by a pharmacist or a mycological society.

©
Walk at La Haie Saudrine. Photo by Marie Houssin 1

Need some advice?

The teams at the Brocéliande Destination Tourist Information Centres are on hand to welcome you and can help you choose an itinerary suited to the season and current conditions. Please feel free to pop in and see them in person at one of our Tourist Information Centres for personalised advice.