Nord-Pas-de-Calais walks

A very pleasant walk with magnificent views of Wissant beach, Cap Gris Nez, Cap Blanc Nez and the English coastline.

This itinerary takes you to Europe's longest slag heap, which stretches over 2km and fills an ancient valley. You'll enjoy views over the coalfield and the Artois hills. At times, you'll have the impression of walking along a mountain ridge. An entirely wooded terril, it is a reserve for numerous species.

This family trail follows the trails of the Petite Sensée, a small river at the gateway to the Douais urban area, winding through the village of Goeulzin.Easy to navigate, it can be enjoyed all year round, but in wet weather you'll need to wear waterproof footwear.

Lovely family outing in the Desvroise countryside, on small paved country roads.Passes close to streams, forests, villages and farms.

Hiking through the marshes of Biache - Saint-Vaast, Plouvain Roeux and Pelves.

A bucolic tour through the wild hyacinths and wild garlic blooming in late April and early May.Discover the Mont Noir and Flanders (Saint-Jans-Cappel, view of Mont des Cats and Bailleul) through undergrowth, forest paths and small roads.

Hiking on the Haute-Deûle canal between Don and Ile aux Saules, between Bauvin and Billy-Berclau.In addition to the canal, you'll have the chance to discover beautiful natural areas such as Parc de La Louvière, Espace Chico Mendès and Île aux Saules.

A feeling of the beginning of the world on this immense beach on the Opal Coast.Get there by bus, then on foot via the GR®120. A real treat.

Short route, on decently pathed paths, pleasant in all seasons (except in very wet weather) with a passage through the Gué de Caucourt. April 2024 :1- The Hermin council advises against using the path between points 10 and 11 until the end of 2025. At point (9) , go straight ahead to join point (11) . 2- The track between points (11)  and (12)  is particularly wet. It's okay, but you'll come out a little damp. It may be preferable to go straight ahead to reach the church, then turn right to rejoin the track at point (13) . 3- Very damp but short sections before and after point (4) 

This walk is loosely based on the "Sentier des Pierres du Diable" (Devil's Stone Trail), but allows you to discover, alongside the famous Devil's Stones, the magnificent Mont-Éloi Abbey, the Écoivres war cemetery, the churches of Écoivres, Acq and Mont Saint-Éloi, and the Acq mill.

Lots of paths, a beautiful crossing of the Bois (with decent tracks) and a beautiful view as you reach the plateau (but frequent fog in autumn). 2021: I've gone back to the original route, which is more pleasant.

This hike is passable even when the paths are muddy, as they are very grassy. We spend a very pleasant time between the plain, the canal and the woods...

A short walk that takes you up to the ridge before descending and going along the Puits sans Fond stream. More pleasant in dry weather, as some paths can be very wet.

This site represents Canada's most impressive memorial to its citizens who fought and gave their lives in the First World War. A strategic high point, offering breathtaking views of the coalfield and Artois hills.

The forest edge, the canal banks and the agricultural plain give the trail its contrasting moods. Keep your eyes peeled for birds in the undergrowth, insects on leaves and trees, and the mushrooms that grow here in late spring.

The route begins in the forest, with birdwatching available from observation posts. Then the landscape becomes more undulous as you climb Slag heap 115 (viewpoint over the coalfield) and return via the miners' cottages.

An easy 10 Km round trip along both banks of the Deûle canal. __⚠️ Work reported on the outward bank between points 1 and 4 on February 13, 2022.Plan to make the return trip on the other bank while waiting for the work to be completed.__

A beautiful walk taking you through several natural environments: dunes, forests, beaches and cliffs.

Just a stone's throw from Lille, an easy stroll through unspoilt countryside, passing through the Emmerin wellfields. The end is a little urban before entering the leisure and nature park.

A walk between France and Belgium in the Pévèle and Hainaut plains. This trail crosses the path of Monique, a Resistance fighter who evacuated Allied pilots who had fallen during the war. It also gives an idea of the work of the customs officers who guarded this border and the tricks that smugglers could use to thwart their surveillance.

It's a route that will delight altitude enthusiasts (Carto exploreur and the Visorando app suggest it's as high as 500m). What's more, the views are stunning. Route slightly modified in November 2019. All trails are very good as of May 14, 2020 (even if some are very grassy).

A walk that can be enjoyed in wet weather, with little mud and very quiet roads.As you leave Pont Thibault, you'll come to the cobblestones of the same name. They are used by the Paris-Roubaix cyclists in early April.

This tour will introduce you to three different settings: the Domaniale de Nieppe forest, the wooded countryside and the Lys river.

As you descend north of Mont-Cassel, you'll enjoy the beautiful Flanders countryside.Although there are long stretches of tarmac, the roads don't have much traffic.

Trail in the Weppes around Beaucamps-Ligny. The countryside near Lille Métropole.

This nearly roadless route takes in the wild Ravin des Cavernes and the astonishing moorland of Nœux-lès-Auxi (le Rietz). Le Rietz de Nœux is a protected nature reserve. In spring, it's home to the most beautiful orchids. Goes without saying, don't pick them! This circuit takes up a large part of the "Sentier de l'Étoile" (Path of the Star), of which there are a few routes, but no description. What's more, there are very few markings. The gates are near the fence on the right. Before tackling this route, I advise you to watch the 2 videos linked in Denis' commentary.

A surprising mix of landscapes: a deceptively medieval castle, deciduous and coniferous forest then reaching the top of a dune that overlooks the beach. Most of the walk is in the shade, and the beach is ideal for a picnic.

This walk brings you into close contact with the canal's barges and birds. As the towpath is almost completely tarmac, this walk is particularly enjoyable in winter, when the paths are too muddy and impassable.

A pleasant, virtually roadless route, with the possibility of a pleasant break at the beautiful Quelmes café.

What's in store: after a short kilometer of uphill northern cobblestones to warm up your calves, you'll plunge into the Thun l'Evèque marshland before following the Escaut and Sensée canals along the towpaths. Along the way, you're sure to come across green collars, moorhens, herons and cormorants, as well as barges and fishermen.

Departing from the Parc Mozaïc car park, a 15km hike along the farm tracks of the Marais de la Deule, between Emmerin, Noyelles-lès-Seclin and Ancoisne.

A short woodland hike in the heart of Wasquehal, to discover the Bois de Warwamme and the Château de la Fontaine (castle).

From Hamel, you can explore the marshes of the region - it's like a little Canada! You'll also discover man-made works such as the Église de l'Écluse, an unusual barge, the Canal du Nord with the Palluel lock and nature trails.

A walk for those nostalgic for the little mountains, with their valleys, plateaus and streams spanned by old stone bridges. A walk for lovers of calm and nature. And as a gift for children, lots of animals: hens, roosters, ducks, buzzards, goats, sheep and, with a little patience, squirrels and roe deer in the woods... A visit to the Tower will bring a hint of culture.

A winding route offering superb views of the Artois heights and the Bléquin valley.

A very pleasant nature trail in dry weather, but becomes more challenging in wet weather: grassy sections (a good test for your shoes, deep ruts, muddy sections). Warning: October 2024. While it's relatively easy to get through the ruts, the last part of the path out of the wood (before point 9) is in a terrible state. The path has been broken up by machinery and you can only pass along the sides, which are themselves very difficult. It's very slippery and sometimes you have to change sides, which is a real challenge. This used to be a signposted mountain bike trail, is it still?

The trails are well-marked. All through the year, they're accessible, and this walk allows you to discover our beautiful northern beaches. Itinerary to be adapted, some areas may be off-limits, see notices .

Part of the GR®121B, east of Lac du Héron, hiking in the Val de Marque.Car park and starting point at the square, Place de l'Église, in Forest sur Marque.

Houses, each with its own dock and boat moored on the Lansberg. People fishing practically from their homes. Cottages, each more beautiful than the last. Little market gardeners' boats loaded with crates of vegetables heading off to who knows where.Truly, the passage along the Lansberg will delight you with its beauty.You'll find a tranquil, picturesque feel that's rare in the region.

Start on the country side, across a field with Cap Blanc Nez in the distance behind you and the English cliffs on your right, in fine weather. Halfway along, take a break on the beach. Return to the top of the cliffs, where you'll appreciate all the notches and the panoramic view of Cap Gris Nez.26/06/2023 The hike has been modified because the passage is forbidden by the hole at Quette and the crossing of the Châtelet stream cannot be made anymore via the dunes.

A route that takes you through the Fouquières marshes. You'll climb the wooded slag heap 83, offering a view of a mysterious artificial valley. You'll then head for slag heap 94 (staircase slag heap), passing the schlamm bins (storage of mining waste) and the Harnes fishing pond. Return along the path that runs alongside the Lens canal.

These three mountains watch over Bailleul, the capital of Flanders between Lille and Dunkirk: Mont des Cats, Mont de Boeschepe and Mont Noir, plus Mont Kokereel. From the top of these small hills (180m), you can enjoy views over the surrounding area. The route offers several points of interest, including Marguerite Yourcenar's house on Mont Noir, the Boschepe mill in the village of the same name, and Mont des Cats and its abbey of Cistercian monks, founded in 1826.

15 Km circuit in and around the Phalempin Forest. Start from the carpark opposite the Phalempin church.

Located in a protected natural area, the Fartz trail, dotted with bird observatories, lets you discover all the flora and fauna of Wissant bay.

The Wavrans-sur-l'Aa nature reserve consists of two hillsides separated by a dry valley, Mont Carrière and Montagne d'Elnes. The chalky slopes of the reserve are steep and unusual for the region. They were also "sculpted" by the bombs of the Second World War.

This trail takes you through a wooded landscape at the edge of the Artois hills, interspersed with canals and watergangs. The varied relief offers a unique panorama, a superb walk with a breathtaking view.

Follow part of the old railroad line. Promenade du Préfet, Voie du Sucre from Mons-en-Pévèle.This new version takes into account suggestions made by users. Many thanks to them.

A walk along the Saint-Nazaire, through the wooded hills of Artois and the Lorette War Memorial (1914-1918).

An invigorating seaside walk to the heights of Sangatte, via the cliffs of Cap Blanc-Nez. A walk combining nature and culture, in a place that has been awarded the Grand Site de France label since 2011. Numerous relics of the Second World War bear witness to the past, amid breathtaking scenery.

A loop from the old fort of Ambleteuse to Cap Gris Nez: go along the cliffs by the sea and return inland via the remains of blockhouses.