The Dinard to Dinan greenway runs along the old railway line that once linked the two towns. It gives you 17 km without cars, from the edge of Dinard (rue de la Corbinais) to Saint-Samson-sur-Rance. The route then carries on to Dinan harbour, partly on minor roads: allow 23 to 24 km in all. From Saint-Malo, you reach it by crossing the Rance on the sea bus, which takes bikes.
This guide covers what you need to know before you set off: the map, the surface, the real gradients, the roads you cross, how to get there from Saint-Malo in each season, the cycle route on to Rennes along the Ille-et-Rance canal, and the ways back. Distances and conditions come from France Vélo Tourisme, the local tourist offices and OpenStreetMap, checked in October 2026.
Good to know
There is no continuous greenway from Saint-Malo to Dinan. Between Saint-Malo and Dinard you take the boat: the road over the Rance tidal barrage is not recommended by bike. The greenway itself starts in Dinard.
In this article
Map of the Dinard to Dinan greenway
- Dinard – Saint-Samson-sur-Rance greenway17 km on the old railway line, car-free (watch the road crossings)
- V42: Saint-Samson – Dinan harbour, then the towpath to Rennes6.8 km to Dinan harbour, partly on roads
- La Vélomaritime (EuroVelo 4)Saint-Malo – Cancale: 18 km on shared roads
The greenway leaves Dinard and heads south to Saint-Samson-sur-Rance. From there the V42 takes over as far as Dinan harbour, then follows the Rance and the Ille-et-Rance canal towards Rennes. La Vélomaritime goes through neither Dinard nor the barrage: it shares the greenway for 2.7 km between Tréméreuc and Pleslin-Trigavou, crosses the Rance on the pont Saint-Hubert and reaches Saint-Malo, before heading on to Cancale (18 km from Saint-Malo, on shared roads) and the Mont-Saint-Michel (68 km). For that direction, see our guide Saint-Malo to Cancale by bike.
The greenway at a glance
| Distance | 17 km of greenway (Dinard to Saint-Samson-sur-Rance), 23-24 km to Dinan harbour. |
|---|---|
| Surface | Stabilised surface (compacted sand) on most of the greenway, tarmac on the link roads. Sources describe it as anything from “smooth” (Dinan tourist office) to “rough” (France Vélo Tourisme). |
| Gradients | Not flat: from about 28 m in Dinard up to 84 m near Pleslin-Trigavou, then a 60 m descent by road to the Rance at Saint-Samson. Just over 100 m of climbing in total, with gradients of 4-5% at most. |
| Traffic | The greenway is closed to cars, but it crosses roads: take care at the D64 at Bourgneuf and the D366 near Pleslin-Trigavou. Of the 6.8 km from Saint-Samson to Dinan harbour, about 4 km are on roads open to traffic. |
| Waymarking | V42 (formerly V2, Saint-Malo to Arzal) and V403 (the Breton V3). Signposting has gaps in Saint-Malo and Dinard. |
| Level | “J'ai l'habitude” (“I'm used to it”) for the Saint-Malo to Évran stage, according to France Vélo Tourisme: not its beginner level. |
| Suitable bikes | City bike or e-bike. You do not need a mountain bike. |
| Season | The V42 can be ridden all year, except after heavy winter rain along the canal. In 2026, the Saint-Malo to Dinard sea bus runs from late March or early April to mid-November. |
From Saint-Malo: the sea bus, not the barrage
The greenway starts in Dinard, on the other side of the Rance estuary. France Vélo Tourisme and Ille-et-Vilaine tourism give the same advice for getting there from Saint-Malo: cross on the sea bus (bus de mer).
The sea bus (recommended)
- Crossing: 10 minutes, frequent departures, bikes accepted. Two companies run the service: Compagnie Corsaire and Bateaux Rouges.
- Landing stages: in Saint-Malo, the cale de Dinan, below the ramparts (Porte de Dinan). In Dinard, the boats land at the promenade du Clair de Lune (reached by stairs) or at the cale de la Vallée: with a bike, go for the cale de la Vallée.
- 2026 season: Compagnie Corsaire daily from 28 March to 1 November, then from 7 to 15 November; Bateaux Rouges daily from 4 April to 15 November. From mid-November to early April there is no boat.
- Fares: bikes are accepted with a supplement; check current fares with the two companies above. Booking is not compulsory, but buying your ticket online saves queuing.
Why not ride over the Rance barrage?
The road over the barrage (RD 168) has no cycle track yet. The Département d'Ille-et-Vilaine identifies it as dangerous for cyclists, and France Vélo Tourisme calls it “too dangerous by bike”. In 2023 the Département described the temporary route through the Parc de la Briantais as hard going on any bike and impossible with a cargo bike or a trailer. A cycle track on the barrage is planned for 2031-2032.
Without the boat: the long way round via the pont Saint-Hubert
When the sea bus is not running, France Vélo Tourisme sends cyclists along the Rance valley variant. This is the route of La Vélomaritime: 28 km between Saint-Malo and Pleslin-Trigavou via Saint-Suliac and the pont Saint-Hubert, 91% of it on shared roads, with real hills (154 m of climbing heading towards Saint-Malo, 224 m in the other direction). La Vélomaritime rates this stage “Je me dépasse” (“I push myself”). At Pleslin you join the greenway. In all, Saint-Malo to Dinan this way is well over 30 km, mostly on roads.
Works: the pont Saint-Hubert is being renovated until early 2028. Since October 2025 you cross it on foot, pushing your bike, along a secured corridor. From 2 November 2026 to 22 January 2027 it is closed to everyone, pedestrians and cyclists included, Monday to Friday from 8am to 5.30pm; you can still cross after 5.30pm, at weekends and on public holidays. The alternative given by La Vélomaritime goes via the écluse du Châtelier, La Vicomté-sur-Rance and Pleudihen-sur-Rance (about 16 km, not signposted).
And within Saint-Malo? No greenway starts in Saint-Malo itself. For riding around town, along the Sillon or out to Saint-Servan, see our Saint-Malo cycle path map and guide.
The route, stage by stage
Km 0: Dinard, rue de la Corbinais
Start • Patchy signposting in town
The greenway begins on the edge of Dinard, on rue de la Corbinais. From the cale de la Vallée you first have to cross town, where the signposting has gaps, so keep the map to hand. Dinard sits at about 28 m above sea level; from here the path climbs gently southwards.
Km 0-7: Dinard to Pleurtuit
Greenway • Stabilised surface • Gentle climb
The Dinard tourist office calls this first 7 km stretch the “Voie verte (V2)”. You ride on the old railway bed, on a stabilised surface, with plenty of shade. After Pleurtuit you leave Ille-et-Vilaine for the Côtes-d'Armor.
Km 8-9: Tréméreuc, where La Vélomaritime joins
Greenway • EuroVelo 4 junction
At Tréméreuc, La Vélomaritime (EuroVelo 4) joins the greenway and shares it for 2.7 km, as far as Pleslin-Trigavou. For a short family ride, Tréméreuc (9 km from Dinard) or Pleurtuit (7 km) make good turning points.
Km 11: Pleslin-Trigavou, the high point
Greenway • High point (84 m) • D366 crossing
Near Pleslin-Trigavou the path reaches its highest point, at around 84 m. La Vélomaritime leaves here for the Rance and the pont Saint-Hubert. Take care crossing the D366, which France Vélo Tourisme flags as a point to watch.
Km 17: Saint-Samson-sur-Rance, end of the greenway
End of the old railway line
The old railway line ends at Saint-Samson-sur-Rance, 17 km from Dinard. The route passes through Pleurtuit, Tréméreuc, Pleslin-Trigavou and Saint-Samson, so there are shops and restaurants on the way or close by: no need to carry everything with you.
Km 17-24: Saint-Samson to Dinan harbour
Roads, then the riverside • 6.8 km
To reach Dinan, the V42 and V403 follow a 6.8 km link. About 4 km of it is on roads open to traffic (minor lanes and a stretch of departmental road), dropping down to the Rance at Taden: a descent of about 60 m in 2 km. Then come 2.6 km of car-free path along the Rance to Dinan harbour. On the way back, that descent becomes a climb.
Finish: Dinan harbour and the rue du Jerzual
Cobbles • Very steep
The path arrives at Dinan harbour, on the Rance. To get up to the medieval town, the rue du Jerzual is cobbled and very steep: you will probably push your bike. If you explore the old town on foot, lock your bike up first.
Points to watch
- The D64 crossing at Bourgneuf and the D366 crossing near Pleslin-Trigavou (France Vélo Tourisme).
- About 4 km on roads open to traffic between Saint-Samson-sur-Rance and the Rance.
- Patchy signposting in Saint-Malo and Dinard.
- The very steep rue du Jerzual in Dinan.
Going further: the Ille-et-Rance canal from Dinan to Rennes
At Dinan harbour, the V42 carries on south along the towpath, beside the Rance and then the Ille-et-Rance canal. The towpath begins downstream of Dinan, at the écluse du Châtelier (Saint-Samson-sur-Rance), 5 km north of the town; the route from Dinard reaches the Rance a little further upstream, at Taden.
Dinan to Rennes: about 79 km
- Dinan to Évran: 12 km, past the village of Léhon and its locks. South of Dinan, a short stretch runs on a minor service road (route du Four à Chaux).
- Évran to Montreuil-sur-Ille: 35 km, all on cycle paths. The towpath is compacted sand that rolls fairly well, with a few drainage gullies.
- Montreuil-sur-Ille to Rennes: 32 km, mostly compacted sand. The towpath gets busy near Rennes; you finish at the écluse du Mail, in the city centre.
The towpath is flat between locks, but the canal climbs in steps: it has 48 locks, including the 11 at Hédé, which rise 27 m over 2.2 km. The stabilised surface is no good for rollerblades but fine for cycle touring, and on some sections one bank is reserved for walkers. After heavy winter rain, the canal can burst its banks.
Is there a Saint-Malo to Rennes greenway?
Not a continuous one. The waymarked route is the V42: the towpath from Rennes to Dinan, a link partly on roads to Saint-Samson-sur-Rance, the greenway to Dinard, then the sea bus to Saint-Malo. Ille-et-Vilaine tourism puts it at 108 km and suggests three days, with overnight stops at Montreuil-sur-Ille and Dinan. Without the boat, through the Rance valley, the Rennes tourist office counts about 120 km, with more climbing. France Vélo Tourisme advises starting from Saint-Malo because of the prevailing north-west winds.
Getting back: by bike or by train
By bike, the same way
The simplest option: ride back the way you came to Dinard, then take the sea bus again. The Dinard to Dinan round trip is 46 to 48 km. Starting from Dinan, the climb from the Rance up to Saint-Samson (about 60 m) comes early; after that the greenway runs gently downhill from Pleslin-Trigavou to Dinard. Check the time of the last boat before you set off.
By train from Dinan
There is no direct train from Dinan to Saint-Malo. TER trains from Dinan run to Dol-de-Bretagne or Saint-Brieuc: for Saint-Malo, change at Dol-de-Bretagne. The journey time depends on the connection. If you ride all the way to Rennes, Rennes station has TER and TGV trains to Saint-Malo.
Bikes on TER BreizhGo trains: from 1 May to 27 September 2026, occasional travellers must book a bike space, €1 per bike per train, on top of their ticket. Book the bike ticket before the passenger ticket, at least 48 hours before departure. Folded bikes need no booking. Cargo bikes, tandems, tricycles and unfolded trailers are not accepted. Outside this period, bikes travel in the dedicated spaces, subject to availability.
Which bike for the greenway?
On the stabilised surface of the greenway and the towpath, a city bike is fine if you ride regularly. The round trip from Dinard is close to 50 km, with gentle but long climbs plus the climb back up from the Rance, so an e-bike makes for a more comfortable day, especially with children or if you start from Saint-Malo. You do not need a mountain bike.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Dinard to Dinan greenway?
The greenway on the old railway line is 17 km long, from Dinard (rue de la Corbinais) to Saint-Samson-sur-Rance. To Dinan harbour it is 23 to 24 km in total: the last 6.8 km run partly on minor roads, then along the Rance.
Can you cycle from Saint-Malo to Dinan on a greenway?
Not in one go. Between Saint-Malo and Dinard you take the sea bus (10 minutes, bikes accepted), because the road over the Rance barrage is not recommended by bike. From Dinard, the greenway and then the V42 take you to Dinan harbour. In 2026 the boat runs from late March or early April to mid-November; the rest of the year, the detour via the pont Saint-Hubert is well over 30 km, mostly on roads.
Is the Dinard to Dinan greenway flat?
No, but the gradients are gentle: the old railway line climbs from about 28 m in Dinard to 84 m near Pleslin-Trigavou, then the link road drops about 60 m to the Rance at Saint-Samson-sur-Rance. In Dinan, the rue du Jerzual is cobbled and very steep: you will probably push your bike up it.
Is the greenway suitable for children?
The 17 km of greenway are closed to cars, but there are roads to cross, including the D64 at Bourgneuf and the D366 near Pleslin-Trigavou, and the link to Dinan uses minor roads. France Vélo Tourisme rates the stage “J'ai l'habitude” (“I'm used to it”), not its beginner level. With young children, a shorter out-and-back ride from Dinard, for example to Pleurtuit (7 km), is easier.
How do you get back from Dinan to Saint-Malo?
By bike, the same way back to Dinard, then the sea bus. By train there is no direct service: you change at Dol-de-Bretagne. From 1 May to 27 September 2026, bikes on TER BreizhGo trains must be booked, €1 per bike per train.
Can you cycle on from Dinan to Rennes?
Yes, on the Ille-et-Rance canal towpath (V42): about 79 km from Dinan to Rennes. From Saint-Malo to Rennes, sea bus included, Ille-et-Vilaine tourism counts 108 km and suggests riding it over three days.
Key takeaways
- ✓17 km without cars on the old railway line, from Dinard to Saint-Samson-sur-Rance; 23-24 km to Dinan harbour.
- ✓From Saint-Malo: the sea bus to Dinard (10 min, bikes accepted), not the barrage.
- ✓Not flat: a high point of 84 m near Pleslin-Trigavou, a drop to the Rance at Saint-Samson, and the rue du Jerzual on foot.
- ✓Take care at the D64 and D366 crossings, and on the road link before Dinan.
- ✓Back by bike or by TER via Dol-de-Bretagne; bikes must be booked (€1) from 1 May to 27 September 2026.
Sources: France Vélo Tourisme (V42 Saint-Malo to Arzal and La Vélomaritime), the Dinard Côte d'Émeraude, Dinan-Cap Fréhel, Ille-et-Vilaine, Côtes d'Armor and Rennes tourist offices, the Département d'Ille-et-Vilaine, AF3V, La Vélomaritime, Compagnie Corsaire, Bateaux Rouges, TER BreizhGo, À Vélo Malo and OpenStreetMap (routes, distances and surfaces measured on the map). Information checked on 21 October 2026.
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The Bikey Rent Team
Based in Saint-Malo, our team rents out and delivers bikes in Saint-Malo, Dinard and Cancale. For this guide we cross-checked France Vélo Tourisme, the tourist offices and OpenStreetMap, and we point out where the sources disagree. A question about your route? Get in touch.