Discover hiking in La Manche

Where to go hiking in the department of La Manche?

The great cycling excursions

For the most courageous and avid sports enthusiasts, La Manche offers several long-distance cycling routes. You can embark on an extended journey lasting several days on a bicycle or a hybrid bike. There are several possible routes that pass through the department of La Manche and also through the heart of the city of Saint-Lô.

"Véloroute",From the D-Day Landing Beaches to Mont Saint-Michel

It covers a total distance of 230 km, consisting of over 12 stages passing through Saint-Lô, Carentan, and Mont-Saint-Michel. During this journey, you'll alternate between greenways and country roads. This diverse route will allow you to discover essential places in La Manche, such as the D-Day Landing Beaches, the Mont-Saint-Michel Bay, the Mortain waterfalls, and the ramparts of Saint-Lô.

The "Vélomaritime"

It is part of the EuroVelo European cycling network, spanning several countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. Covering a distance of nearly 1500 kilometers, you will traverse the department of La Manche during this route. This will allow you to explore various municipalities in La Manche, from the south with Mont-Saint-Michel, through the center with Saint-Lô, to the north with Cherbourg

Tatihou to Mont Saint-Michel with mountain bike

This mountain biking route will take you across the department of La Manche from East to West, through the heart of the Norman hedgerow landscape. During this journey, you'll not only get to explore the sea but also the rich cultural heritage of La Manche. Some of the notable monuments you will visit include:  

• The coastal cliffs of Normandy 
• The Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte castle 
• The harbors of Régneville and Lingreville 
• The natural reserve of Marais de la Sangsurière and de l'Adriennerie 
• The Coutances Cathedral

The route consists of 5 stages during which you will pedal for more than 285 kilometers. Of course, your effort will be rewarded with a finish around Mont Saint-Michel.

Horseback riding excursions

Inhabitants are also enthusiasts of trotting; in fact, Saint-Lô is the capital of the Selle Français horse breed! If you enjoy horseback riding or simply going on a leisurely ride, you won't be disappointed. There are several horse riding circuits available for riders in the department of La Manche, whether it's along the seaside, through the Norman hedgerow landscape, or in the marshes of Cotentin.

For horseback riding enthusiasts, try the 'Route des Abbayes' and embark on an equestrian journey of 155 km, from Cerisy-la-Forêt to Mont-Saint-Michel.

The 'Rando des Haras Nationaux' (National Stud Farm Ride), spanning 9 stages over a length of 190 km, takes you from the National Stud Farm in Saint-Lô to the National Stud Farm of Le Pin. The equestrian route covers 29 km south of Saint-Lô, during which you'll discover mythical sites such as the towpath of the Vire Valley, for example. It's entirely possible to arrange a genuine equestrian stay to explore more closely all the sites you'll pass by.

Hiking in La Manche, whether on foot, by bike, or on horseback: explore our page listing all the hikes offered in Saint-Lô and its surroundings.