The Paimpont forest, better known by its legendary name of Brocéliande, owes its reputation to Arthurian legend, which places the Fountain of Barenton and Merlin’s tomb somewhere within its boundaries. Beyond the legend, it’s also a hilly forest massif offering pleasant, approachable mountain biking terrain, somewhere between a good starting point and a place to build technical skill.
Approachable forest terrain
From Paimpont, the network of trails and forest tracks allows for a route of around 30 km and 350 m of cumulative climbing, on terrain that’s mostly smooth with a few more technical sections over roots or loose stone. The route can take in a detour past the forest’s legendary sites — the Val sans Retour, the Fountain of Barenton — for anyone keen to combine riding with a bit of local folklore.
Getting the ride right
Part of the forest floor, clay in places, turns slick after heavy rain — a mudguard isn’t overkill outside summer. Trail markings are generally good, making it easy to piece together your own route at whatever level you’re after.
When to go
March to November, avoiding the prolonged rainy spells of the Breton winter that leave some trails muddy and slick.
Good to know
Paimpont, a small town on the edge of the lake of the same name, has a limited but sufficient choice of accommodation for a stopover, with a strong local tourism scene built around the Arthurian legends.
