Top 4 Lakes around Gourhel

For family-friendly options, Lac au Duc is an excellent choice. It offers a beach, a 9-hole golf course, children's games, and picnic areas. The "Hortensia circuit" (Hydrangea Trail) is also a beautiful 3 km route. Another option is the Étang Sports Course, Campénéac, which features a playground and a boules court.

Yes, there are several options for hiking and cycling. Around Lac au Duc, you can find a 14-kilometer hike circling the lake, as well as a greenway (V3) and bicycle loops. For more structured routes, you can explore various cycling tours in the area, including options like 'Le Lac au Duc – View of Lac au Duc loop from Ploërmel' for touring bikes or 'Lake au Duc – View of Lac au Duc loop from Taupont' for gravel biking. Find more routes in the Cycling around Gourhel and Gravel biking around Gourhel guides.

The lakes near Gourhel offer diverse natural environments. Lac au Duc, for example, is surrounded by wetlands and diverse habitats, where you might spot otters, frogs, and deer. The Fairies' Mirror Pond and Upper Pond of the Val Sans Retour are nestled within forests, offering mystical atmospheres and beautiful views, especially with autumn colors.

Absolutely. The nearby Brocéliande Forest, which contains several ponds, is famously linked to the legend of King Arthur, Merlin the enchanter, and the fairy Viviane. Lac au Duc also has local folklore, including tales of a mythical vouivre (marsh monster).

The lakes offer different experiences throughout the year. Autumn is particularly recommended for places like the Fairies' Mirror Pond, known for its beautiful colors. Summer is ideal for recreational activities at Lac au Duc, including its beach. Spring and early summer are great for enjoying the "Hortensia circuit" when the hydrangeas are in bloom.

The area around Lac au Duc, particularly near Ploërmel, offers various cafes, pubs, and restaurants. You can also find accommodation options in Gourhel and around Lac au Duc, catering to different preferences.

While further from Gourhel than Lac au Duc, Lac de Guerlédan is Brittany's largest artificial lake, created for hydroelectric power. It's a popular tourist destination for watersports, walking, and panoramic views. Its unique history includes the submersion of old locks from the Nantes-Brest canal, which are occasionally revealed during dam maintenance.

Lac au Duc is well-known as an excellent fishing site, attracting specialists who organize challenges. It's home to various fish species like pike, zander, and perch, with record catches of carp reported.

Road cyclists can find numerous routes around the Gourhel area that pass by or near the lakes. Examples include 'Lac au Duc – Josselin Castle loop from Ploërmel' or 'Le Roc-Saint-André – Saint-Armel Church, Ploërmel loop from Ploërmel'. These routes offer varying distances and difficulties. You can find more details in the Road Cycling Routes around Gourhel guide.

Visitors frequently highlight the peaceful atmosphere and beautiful natural settings. The autumn colors around spots like the Fairies' Mirror Pond are particularly appreciated. The diverse activities at Lac au Duc, from golf to walking the Hydrangea Trail, also receive positive feedback for their recreational value.

Yes, for easy walks, the 3 km "Hortensia circuit" around Lac au Duc is a pleasant option. Additionally, the Étang Sports Course, Campénéac offers a nice run or walk around the pond with facilities. Many of the greenways and shorter loops around the lakes are suitable for relaxed strolls.