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 centurye 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
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
- 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.
Route marking
The entire route is marked by volunteers from the Departmental Hiking Committee (CDRP 50)
- In red and white on the GR®223,
- In red and yellow on the GRP portion between Port-Bail-sur-Mer and Sainte-Mère-Église.
More information on the hike
- News
Diversion and obstacles on current hiking routes
Published on Jul 03, 2024
Reading time: 3 min.
Accommodations close to the GR®223
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- Close to the GR®223 coastal path 699
- At the seaside 550
- Close to the beach 461
- Near a port 354
- Close to Vélomaritime 241
- village 161
- Sea view 124
- In the countryside 89
- Hamlet 68
- Downtown 51
- In the city 35
- Close to VéloWestNormandy 34
- Near a greenway 32
- Outskirts of the city 10
- Near a national road 4
- Riverside 4
- Station district 4
- Edge of lake or body of water 3
- Isolated 3
- Near an airport 1
- Gîtes de France 138
- La Malle Postale (pedestrian) 130
- KeyVacation 90
- The Postal Mall (bicycle) 53
- Qualité Tourisme Label 36
- Normandy Quality Tourism 30
- Accueil Vélo 11
- Famille Plus label 10
- QualiDog 9
- The Green Key 5
- The Charms of Normandy 3
- Bienvenue à la Ferme 2
- Horse welcome 1
- Farmer welcome 1
- Television 536
- WIFI and Internet 529
- Microwave oven 495
- Heating 427
- Private washing machine 421
- Cleaning / housekeeping 414
- BBQ 413
- Dishwasher 393
- Wi-Fi 351
- Internet access 341
- Oven 337
- Baby equipment 336
- Double glazing 286
- Linens provided 254
- Freezer compartment 233
- Linen rental 231
- Fridge Freezer 230
- Indoor games, play case, books 229
- Towels provided 201
- Sheets and linen included 173
- Outdoor games 149
- Private tumble dryer 135
- DVD player 132
- Hi-fi system 126
- Playground for children 103
- Cuisinière 100
- Cable / Satellite 92
- Fireplace 85
- WC drain 67
- Wood / pellet stove 66
- dustbins 66
- Electrical connections 64
- Collective washing machine 64
- Sport material 64
- Drinking water supply 63
- Electricity 63
- Free Wifi 58
- Freezer 56
- Draining gray water 56
- High chair 53
- Phone 52
- Pétanque bowl field 46
- Camper pitch 46
- Ping-pong 44
- Washer 42
- Showers 41
- Toilets 38
- Waste water drainage 35
- Internet access in rooms 34
- Water connections 34
- Craft terminal 33
- Double glazing 33
- Fireplace with insert 32
- WiFi 32
- Bicycle parking 31
- Sewage disposal 30
- Direct access to the beach 27
- Sheets rental 27
- Tennis 25
- Collective clothes dryer 24
- Playroom 23
- Industrial terminal 22
- Bread 22
- Indoor pool 21
- Room service 21
- Bar 20
- Outdoor pool 20
- TV room 20
- Changing mat 19
- Terrace Area 19
- Baby cabin with bath 18
- Garden 17
- Baby bath 16
- Reservation of external services 16
- Bottle warmer 15
- Cable / satellite 15
- Football 15
- Restaurant 15
- Multi-jet Pool 14
- Luggage storage 13
- Half board 13
- Mini golf 13
- Free private parking 13
- Salon 13
- Courtesy tray 12
- Pool 11
- Private terrace 11
- Volleyball 11
- Canal + 10
- Meeting room 9
- Elevator 8
- Crib 8
- Picnic basket 8
- Playground 8
- Private parking lot 8
- Fast recharge electric vehicle 8
- Booster seat 8
- Host table 8
- Crib 7
- Locked bicycle room 7
- Bike room 7
- Sailing 7
- Sauna 7
- Baggage handling 6
- Library 6
- Full board 6
- Laundry 5
- safes 5
- Private garage 5
- Mini-bar 5
- Gym 5
- Picnic area. 4
- Air-conditioning 4
- Closed equipment room 4
- Indoor pool 4
- Baby sitting 3
- Removable barrier for stairs 3
- defibrillator 3
- Aquatic and fun area 3
- Board Games 3
- Baby phone 2
- Stroller room 2
- Bike rental 2
- Loan of bicycles 2
- Fast electric vehicle charging 2
- no services 2
- Boutiques 1
- Brunch 1
- Drinks dispenser 1
- Food / candy dispenser 1
- Golf 1
- Kitchenette 1
- Closed room 1
- Massage 1
- Park 1
- Stroller available 1
- Paid Wifi 1
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