Test yourself on the GR®223: coastal adventures

The coastal path is the perfect playground for those looking for a challenge

Are you looking for adventure in the great outdoors? Do you want to test your limits? Lots of hikers and sportspeople set themselves the goal of completing the tour of the Manche in a short space of time. Whether hiking for 10 to 15 days, or trail running for a few days, discover the portraits of the people who have pushed their limits on this coastal path.

14 days on the GR®223 with the Hello la Roux bloggers

446 km

14 days

In autumn

Hiking 446 km in 14 days: this was the challenge that Amélie and Benjamin set themselves. Known as HelloLaRoux, these two are bloggers, but especially hikers and photographers, and they walked the GR®223 in autumn. The adventurous pair headed off into the great outdoors from Carentan, taking stunning photos all the way to the bay of Mont Saint-Michel.

Despite the distance, which could put some people off, the tour of la Manche has no particular difficulties. You just need good shoes and warm clothing in case of bad weather and to be comfortable with all types of terrain. Amélie and Benjamin walked from 20 to 35 km every day. Between each stage, they enjoyed the comfort and authenticity of accommodation along the route: B&Bs, gîtes, campsites, lofts, hotels and hostels.

Find out all about the GR®223

The stages of the route

Stage 1 : 26 km

Carentan to Ravenoville via Utah Beach

Stage 2 : 33 km

Ravenoville to Barfleur

Stage 3 : 22km

Barfleur to Fermanville

Stage 4 : 17 km

Fermanville to Cherbourg

Stage 5 : 27 km

Cherbourg to Port-Racine

Stage 6 : 19 km

Port Racine to Herqueville

Stage 7 : 21 km

Herqueville to Dielette

Stage 8 : 30 km

Dielette to Barneville-Carteret

Stage 9 : 32 km

Barneville-Carteret to Saint-Germain-sur-Ay

Stage 10 : 36 km

Saint-Germain-sur-Ay to Agon-Coutainville

Stage 11 : 27 km

Agon-Coutainville to Regnéville-sur-Mer

Stage 12 : 24 km

Regnéville-sur-Mer to Granville

Stage 13 : 30 km

Granville to Genêts

Stage 14 : 11 km

Crossing the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel

“On this former customs officers’ path, I felt like I was channelling my inner pirate! It was a privilege to follow a route so steeped in history. The landscape changes from marshland to lush greenery, with steep cliffs in places and panoramas stretching to the horizon. The tour of the Manche hiking trail is perfect to enjoy a complete change of scenery, with landscapes that resemble Ireland, and a very warm welcome from the lovely people of the Manche!”. Amélie

Amélie et Benjamin Blogeurs @HelloLaRoux

Sporting challenges on the GR®223: portraits

Angélique Boucé: the GR®223 in 10 days

Angélique Boucé, from Saint-Brice-de-Landelles, set herself the goal of completing the tour of la Manche in 10 days, and succeeded! She walked about 40 km per day, almost a marathon for each stage. After 10 intense days, Angélique only has good memories:

This was an amazing experience, and I met some extraordinarily kind people. I had some difficult moments, but so much pleasure too. I arrived at Mont Saint-Michel in the middle of a storm, with nature putting on a spectacular show over some breathtaking landscapes. I discovered la Manche differently and made the most of each place. My tour of la Manche really opened my eyes to the fact that you don’t need to travel the world to have an extraordinary experience and a complete change of scenery.
Angélique

Around the Cotentin in 10 days, by Rodolphe Bidel

Rodolphe is a runner from Saint-Lô who loves to test his limits. In 2018, when he began long-distance running, he set himself a challenge: running from Carentan to Mont Saint-Michel in just 10 days following the GR®223 hiking trail, or 430 km in total. He left at dawn on 16th July and reached his objective, Mont Saint-Michel, on 25 July. The adventure was made possible by his three friends, who followed him and organised the supplies and accommodation for each stage.

The landscapes of la Manche are incredible! There’s such a diversity, whether on the east coast, with the Vauban Towers in the background, or alone in the world in wild places like Landemer and on the most beautiful kilometre in France to the south of Granville. I was really wowed by the scenery!
Rodolphe

Stéphane Ruel: 435 km running, an exceptional challenge

Other sportspeople have set themselves the goal of running the GR®223. One of them is Stéphane Ruel, a 54 years old long-distance runner. He undertook a gruelling challenge: running 435 km non-stop, with 3 278 m of elevation gain, following the coastal path from Isigny-sur-Mer to Mont Saint-Michel. He succeeded, completing the tour of la Manche in 76 hours and 23 minutes, with just a few hours of sleep. He pushed his limits to achieve his goal in winter, in sometimes apocalyptic weather conditions!

Erik Clavery: 670 km across Normandy

Erik Clavery, an ironman from la Manche, set himself an impressive goal: running the GR®223, a 670 km route between Berville-sur-Mer (Eure) and Mont Saint-Michel, in less than five days. Erik is accustomed to very long distances, and completed his adventure in four days, 13 hours and 12 minutes. Although this was a huge physical and mental challenge, it was also an extraordinary human adventure. Erik ran through some unique landscapes, enjoying the special link with nature every step of the way to his emotional arrival in Mont Saint-Michel. All along the route, local people accompanied him in his exploit.