If you find yourself on the northern coast of France's Normandy, Etretrat and its beautiful cliffs are a must visit. As you stroll, you'll be mesmerized by the breathtaking views of the Alabaster Coast and the intricate rock formations that have inspired artists for centuries.
Trail Info
Know before you go
Paid parking is the primary parking option for this hike. A simple internet search will allow you to find the different paid lots nearby. There were several lots but capacity may be limited.
The trail can get muddy and has some steeper graded sections. For a popular tourist hike, it's not without some challenges. I could imagine a few of those steeper sections being a challenge if it rained recently.
There are many ways to extend or shorten this trail. We roughly followed the AllTrails route, but the trail continues farther with trails that access the countryside and the beach.
Other trails nearby
You could follow the coast northbound in the opposite direction and hike from Etretrat to Yport
The Trail
After finding parking, you will simply head towards the coast and head left to follow the trail. We can already see one of those famous arches.
The trail itself is moderate, but does have some steeper up and downs on a dirt path that will make this feel like a true hike. I'm guessing these sections wouldn't be so fun if it was muddy.
I'd say this trail is a bit of a choose your own adventure. There's several outcroppings that give you a different perspective of the coast.
A lot of the fun of this trail was wandering along the different points to check out the views from different angles.
The formations along the chalk cliffs provide the primary attraction, some of which are named. This iconic one is called the Falaise d’Aval ("the downstream cliff").
And here we have the Falaise La Manneporte.
There are several additional landmarks to see in these area such as La Porte d'Aval and Pointe de la Courtine. You can even see all these cliffs from sea level if you are feeling adventurous. We, however, decided to find a comfortable turnaround point.
Because there's no better way to follow views like these than with some lovely French food and wine.
SS Reflections
As an American who has seen too many World War II movies, Normandy conjures up some very specific mental images. I was curious what traveling to this French region would be like in real life.
Hiking along these cliffs reminded me that often places are quite different than the image you have in your head. Yet, it often takes physically travelling to these places have such a realization. I only wish I had more time than a short few hours to fully immerse myself in this stunning place.
Other helpful resources
France travel tips writeup of the best way to explore the cliffs
This local guide about hiking the cliffs