Suzac Beach, Forest and Clifftop 6.5km Ramble

 

Photos taken on our Suzac walk in October 2024

Photos taken on our walk on this route in October 2023.

6.5km Ramble - Gently undulating walk with some steep steps up off Suzac Beach and some fallen trees to clamber over.  A really great and varied ramble. Largely off road with some linking sections on small roads and a small stretch alongside the D25.  It is possible to lengthen the route should you wish and there are a number of ideas on the internet (search for Suzac Randonnée).

A number of sections of this walk is in the shade.

Beaches are open to dog walkers and their dogs from 1st October to 31st March..

Points of interest - The beach, the cliffs, the forest, the carrelets, the Fort de Suzac.

Start point - Parking near La Crique Suzac Beach House, 119 Boulevard de Suzac (the D25), Meschers-sur-Gironde 17132.

We often go for lunch afterwards in La Traverse, 2 Ave Edmond Mocqueris, Saint Georges de Didonne.  This works for us as they are a very dog friendly restaurant.

Map of the route:

Hand drawn map of the route with digital text added.

Directions (use numbers from the map above).

1. Starting at La Crique Beach House, walk onto the beach and turn left.  Walk along the beach until nearly the end where you can see some steps going up off the beach.   Go up the steps and walk along the path at the top.  Eventually you will reach a T-junction in the path, where you must turn left.  Continue walking along the path, ignoring turns right and left until you reach the main road D25.

2. Carefully cross the road and walk into the Forêt de Suzac.  Continue along the path and eventually you will see some caravans behind a gate and fence.  Here turn left along the path with the camp sites to your right.  Continue until you hit another T-junction and a marked cycle/rambling route.

3. Turn left onto the marked cycle/rambling route.  When you get to a road, keep going straight on (don’t turn right).  Continue along the road until it turns sharp left.

4. Instead of following the road left go straight on along a track called Rue des Rouges Gorges.  Continue along this track through the forest and eventually you will come to some houses and a T-Junction. Turn right at the T-Junction along a small road.  Eventually you will reach a fork in the road.  Go left up Allée des Paons which is marked cycle route.  Continue along Allée des Paons, ignoring the right turn and also ignore the next right turn up Allée L’Etang, and continue along Allée des Paons.  Keep going along this route through the forest until there is a small sign on your right saying 5 ACCA. 

5. At this sign turn left up a smaller footpath.  Try to keep on the main footpath for quite a while as it goes up and down and meanders through the forest.  When we did it there was a need to step over a number of fallen trees on this section.

6. Eventually we will reach the Mini Golf / Bar Restaurant “Monmartre”.  Keep going with the Mini Golf on your right.  Eventually you will reach the main road D25 where you must cross the road and turn left.   Continue walking on the track alongside the D25 until you see Camping Paradis on your left and Camping Bois-Soleil ahead of you.

7. Here turn right up a small road towards the estuary.  Eventually when you get close to the estuary, follow the road as it turns left.  Shortly the road becomes more of a track which you should follow.   Ignore the left turn to Parc de l’Estuaire and continue straight.

8. Eventually you arrive at La Pointe de Suzac where can be found the Fort de Suzac.  You will reach a fork in the route.  Either works but the left hand route is easier and the right hand route you see more of the Fort.  Your choice!   Obviously be careful near the cliffs.

9. Once you get to the Fort continue along the various footpaths between a fenced of area to your left and the cliffs to your right.  You will reach a path that is close to the cliffs which you should continue along under the trees until you reach the D25 again.  Ignore any left turns.  Be careful as some of the path is close to the cliffs but lots of people walk this every day. There are a couple of tree roots to clamber over.   There are some lovely views of the estuary and carrelets.   When you get to the D25 turn right back to your car.

The IGN Série Bleue Map 1432 Saujon & Cozes covers this walk but does not show the steps up off the beach.