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Walking..

If the hiking trails are numerous, it is not by chance: in La Manche, we walk! Beyond the immensity and the beauty of the landscapes, dedicated itineraries abound. There is no lack of hiking trails, like the one that goes around the department along the sea. On more than 300 kilometers, you can walk, whatever your level and your desire. You will meet many amateurs of the kind on these ways, the walkers being numerous here. The greenways, vast parks, beaches and small roads are also suitable.

... or running!

From trail running to marathon running, La Manche is also a land of running. The events punctuate a busy calendar in this area. If you are not afraid of being covered with mud (and yes, it can rain in the region...), the trails, which are numerous, will allow you to discover small paths (which many people call "hunts") or magnificent natural areas. The most famous local event, called "La Barjo", offers several events (and therefore several distances) in the Hague, while the "raid de l'Archange" (for highly trained athletes!) leaves from Mont-Saint-Michel to go up the west coast in several days. The enduro of Agon-Coutainville, on the beach, and the one called "du Run", which takes you to the island of Tatihou when the tide rises, are all competitions during which nature and sport meet. On the road, running races are just as numerous: the Barfleur Marathon, the latest competition in this field, is a good example. But the main event here is the Mont-Saint-Michel Marathon: departure from our Breton neighbors, in Cancale, and arrival at the foot of the wonder. Between the two, a more complicated course than it seems, with the wind, and the perspective of the Mont, so far away, and which is approaching very slowly! More popular, finally, some races draw joyful crowds, like the "foulées de la Presse de la Manche", during which thousands of Cherbourgeois gallop in the streets of the city, every November 11th.

The horse for all

You will soon realize that there are many stud farms and equestrian centers. If Normandy as a whole is a land of horses, the Manche is no exception to the rule. If children can enjoy the joys of discovery on a pony, amateurs will find a stud farm offering them rides in the countryside or on the beach, and bettors will not lack beautiful races to come and play on one of the local racecourses. The Saint-Lô stud farm is the emblem of the department and is a beautiful place to visit. It may give you a taste of what's to come.

The sea, of course

It is not easy to list all the sports and leisure activities, because there are so many of them. However, let's try to talk about the most obvious ones, starting with sailing. Amateur skippers are in paradise here: if you are not a skipper, or if you want to become one for a while, there is no lack of offers. For a first experience, or if you are more experienced, the local harbors are waiting for you: Cherbourg, Granville, Carteret or Saint-Vaast, just to name a few. As for leisure activities, your Petit Futé Manche also lists sea outings to discover the local waters or for a fishing trip. In the last two decades, board sports have also taken off. If the sea and the wind have always been an almost inseparable pair, the sporting variation of these weather conditions was most often limited to windsurfing and, more frequently, sand yachting. This was without counting on the awareness of the potential of surfing, kite-surfing and body-boarding. On the north-west coast, between Carteret and La Hague, surf schools and centers have appeared, which welcome both experienced and novice surfers. Siouville-Hague, Le Rozel or Sciotot are spots which, if they are less frequented than those of the Landes, are beginning to benefit from a nice reputation in France. Less known, but just as popular, is the practice of longe-côte: equipped with a wetsuit, you walk in the sea. And contrary to popular belief, it is very physical!

Fresh water, of course!

It would be too easy to reduce water sports to the sea! Although it is a coastal region, the Channel is also a green area irrigated by numerous rivers. As far as sports are concerned, you can go canoeing in the many rivers. Dedicated stations exist, like the one you can find in Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte. Here too, you will be able to get up to speed: in family, alone, with supervisors or without, the possibilities are numerous.

The air, the wind, the heights

For leisure as well as for sport, you can take to the skies. Gliding and other paragliding activities (in Biville, for example) are facilitated by the presence of wind. But in the Manche, you can also go up in the air to jump in parachute, as from the airfield of Bréville-sur-Mer (near Granville), with the magnificent view, in the distance, on the Mont-Saint-Michel. You can also enjoy a first flight over Cherbourg, or fly over the Mont-Saint-Michel bay in a helicopter! In another register, the south of the Channel is the setting of beautiful climbing areas, from the Oëtre rocks to those of Ham.

Multiple leisure facilities

Parks with inflatable structures, a plant maze, tree climbing: the youngest (and the others!) will have no difficulty in having fun here. To discover the region while having fun, several virtual tours are offered: you just have to download the dedicated applications. Another original feature is the tour of the D-Day landing in a real jeep, identical to those used by the Allied soldiers in 1944. And since leisure activities in La Manche are constantly evolving, for the past few years there have been many escape games. On historical or fantastic themes, offering varying levels of difficulty, they are very successful.