GR 223 and the Tour du Cotentin | Tourism in Cotentin

To appreciate the Cotentin in all its natural wealth, nothing better than an invigorating hike.

The GR®223

From the Bay of Veys, in the east, to the beach of Denneville, in the west, it offers a winding route of 260 kilometers.

Until the beginning of the 20th century^e century, this trail was used to monitor the coasts to avoid or limit smuggling. The part located between Urville-Nacqueville to the north and Cap de Carteret to the south is also called Chemin des Douaniers.

The Hague peninsula is characterized by its chiseled cliffs covered with multicolored flora and by its fragmented coastal plain, separated by dry stone walls.

Built to demarcate properties, these small walls typical of Cotentin made it possible to contain livestock by protecting them from the winds to “dehorn the oxen”! Suitable for experienced walkers and simple walkers, this trail, which can be explored in its entirety or in selected sections, is accessible to all. It reveals sumptuous lights and views, exuberant nature, preserved and protected fauna and flora.

Sometimes steep, sometimes hilly, this walking route always amazes with the variety and contrasts of its landscapes. Exuberant nature offers the trail walker a spectacle of shadows and lights, colors and smells. An experience to live!

The maps and stages of the GR®223

The French Hiking Federation

Crossing the Cotentin by the GRP Tour of the Cotentin Peninsula

A marked route now allows you to cross the Cotentin by the GRP in 50 km between Port-Bail-sur-Mer and Sainte-Mère-Église and thus complete the loop and join the GR®223 from the west coast to the east coast : this is the GR® de Pays (GRP®) Tour of the Cotentin peninsula, certified by the French Hiking Federation.

The route will take you through numerous trails, paths, small roads or greenways, most of the time shaded. Several landscapes follow one another, with sensitive natural spaces, mountains, villages, manors, castles, marshes and even historic places from the Second World War.

To completely circumnavigate the Cotentin peninsula, you need to allow 260 km for approximately 13 to 15 days of walking.

Recommended steps

GR®223

Carentan-les-Marais – Utah-Beach: 18.8 km
Utah-Beach – Sainte-Mère-Eglise: 15.4 km
Sainte-Mère-Eglise – Fontenay-sur-Mer: 13.8 km
Fontenay-sur-Mer – Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue: 19.9 km
Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue – Gatteville Lighthouse: 16.3 km
Gatteville Lighthouse – Cap Lévi: 17.8 km
Cap Lévi – Cherbourg-en-Cotentin: 21.1 km
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin – Omonville-la-Rogue: 22.1 km
Omonville-la-Rogue – Nez de Jobourg: 18.2 km
Nez de Jobourg – Biville: 15.2 km
Biville – Sciotot: 21.3 km
Sciotot – Hatainville: 18.8 km
Hatainville – Port-Bail-sur-Mer: 18.2 km
Port-Bail-sur-Mer – Bretteville-sur-Ay: 16.2 km

GRP tour of the Cotentin peninsula (crossing the Cotentin)

Port-Bail-sur-Mer – Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte: 19 km
Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte – Picauville: 17 km
Picauville – Sainte-Mère-Église: 14 km

PRACTICAL INFORMATION & ACCOMMODATION

Part of the GRP runs through marshes, certain portions can be flooded in winter. The route is therefore preferred from April.
This portion is accessible by train from the Cherbourg-en-Cotentin SNCF station. With an additional 34 km, you can reach Carentan-les-Marais and its SNCF station.
In Cotentin, the bus network is well developed, you can find stops near your route, on regular lines or for on-demand transport, more info here.

The route on the FFrandonnée application