5 woods and some steep slopes

A very hilly route over the Artois heights.

A great sporting outing with beautiful scenery.

Technical sheet

1088222
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.16 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 306 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 310 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 187 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 69 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from Saint-Michel-sous-Bois, small square near the church.

(S/E) Head towards the church via Rue du Plouy. At the fork, turn right towards Bois de Saint-Michel. Go through the gate (it's a communal path) and follow the long driveway (damaged in May 2023) which crosses the entire wood.
It bends slightly to the right and reaches a gate at the edge of the wood.

(1) At the end of the wood, follow the path to the left at the edge. Stay on this good path and turn left, still on the edge, until you reach a small descent on the right. At the bottom of the descent, turn left and follow the good track to the D129 at Quilen.

(2) Follow it to the right for a few metres (pretty square on the right with table and pond).
At the church, turn left onto Rue d'En-Haut with the GR®127 to cross Bois de Quilen. Stay on the GR® and, climbing up, join the D126 (calvary).

(3) Go straight ahead (dangerous crossing !), still on the GR®. Stay on the GR® to cross Bois Peuvion (not very well signposted, roughly north-west).

(4) At the end of the wood, follow the wide path down to a small road which you follow for a few metres on the left.

(5) Leave the GR® and the road to take the beautiful path opposite. Join a small road which you follow to the left to climb Mont Héry (large calvary at the summit). Continue towards the D126.

(6) Shortly before the main road, turn right. Immediately, at the fork, take the leftmost lane. Cross the Bois de Rémipré, staying on its southern edge (this path may be badly damaged) to reach a small road. Follow it to the right, ignoring the road to the left (farm entrance) and continuing downhill for a few metres.

(7) Don't miss the steep slope on the left (clearly visible, as it's often used). This takes you around the farm (with a fine view of Clenleu on the right) to a small road. Follow it to the right (hamlet of La Motte).

(8) At the T-junction (calvary), turn left onto the D126. Cross it (be careful!) and take the right path opposite. The steep slopes mentioned in the title are coming up! Ignore a path to the right and reach a fork.

Turn left to cross the Bois Renault. Take the first track on the right down to a T-junction. Turn left (miracle, it's flat!).

(10) Take the first track on the right, steeply uphill. Ignore a track on the left, another on the right and turn left into the next track. At the end, turn right onto tarmac for a few metres.

(11). At the fork, take the path opposite and go down to the sports field. Near the stadium (on the right), turn left to reach a small road. Follow it to the right and you'll reach the D129.

(12) Follow this road to the right and reach a crossroads after crossing the Bras de Bronne. Turn left onto the B road (sorry, couldn't find a better one) to reach Saint-Michel-sous-Bois. Just before the square, turn left into Rue de l'église. At the church, turn right to reach the square(S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 94 m - Saint-Michel-sous-Bois, near the church
  2. 1 : km 2.17 - alt. 187 m - Wood exit: barrier
  3. 2 : km 4.13 - alt. 101 m - Junction with the D129 at Quilen
  4. 3 : km 5.15 - alt. 173 m - Calvary on D126
  5. 4 : km 5.89 - alt. 136 m - Wood exit
  6. 5 : km 6.34 - alt. 113 m - Quit GR
  7. 6 : km 7.5 - alt. 151 m - Turn right before the D126
  8. 7 : km 9.02 - alt. 125 m - Steep slope to the left
  9. 8 : km 9.69 - alt. 127 m - Calvary in the hamlet of La Motte
  10. 9 : km 10.89 - alt. 88 m - Left at the three-way junction
  11. 10 : km 11.84 - alt. 101 m - Path to the right (uphill)
  12. 11 : km 12.96 - alt. 123 m - Path opposite
  13. 12 : km 13.68 - alt. 73 m - Right on the D129
  14. S/E : km 15.15 - alt. 94 m - Saint-Michel-sous-Bois, near the church

Practical information

Difficult route, which some software reckons is over 350m of ascent.
Paths through woods can be in very poor condition.

Good footwear and walking stick(s) are essential.

In hot weather, bring plenty to drink.

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 14 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
benchri
benchri

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We really enjoyed this walk. Crossing some of the woods was very beautiful; on the other hand, crossing the 1st wood of Saint Rémy au bois was not very pleasant: the path was broken up by forestry machinery; lots of trees were cut down; it gave the impression of a forest in pain...
Otherwise, this route provides an opportunity to appreciate the varied landscapes of our hinterland.

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dom62
dom62

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

superb hike, varied itinerary, very little tarmac except at the end, with some nice climbs, a nice spot for a picnic at lunchtime.superb day, hike completed in 5 and a half hours, with a good break at lunchtime.

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chamalo62
chamalo62

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pretty ride with very little tarmac. Lovely scenery. Not a soul to be seen along the way, so for those who want peace and quiet, this is the right choice!

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FrancisF80
FrancisF80

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 16, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

I did this route by mountain bike from Embry (aire c car) to the starting point. The route is very sporty on a mountain bike and only suitable for trained mountain bikers as the climbs are tough. Despite the sometimes very damaged paths, it's OK but, in my opinion, only in dry weather. The route is very varied, alternating between woods and open areas where you can admire the landscape.

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MISTERTY
MISTERTY

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Nice little climbs and very little tarmac but unfortunately a lot of paths were cut up by logging machines in February 2020.I wasn't really able to enjoy the beautiful views as advertised because the sky was low.

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KALINOWSKI
KALINOWSKI

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The same opinion as Elodie about the preference for the season. Discover this tour in summer:
magnificent scenery
Beautiful countryside! To be explored further

Thank you for sharing this route with us.

Sophie

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tati59
tati59

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 16, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Even in dry weather, some sections of the forest were damp.

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abig
abig

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 28, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

parish specific to Brittany beautiful weather very good day thank you

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Elodie62380
Elodie62380
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 28, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful and varied route, well explained and to be recommended in summer as there are several passages in the woods and on the edges. It took us 3 hours 20 minutes to complete, including a maximum of 15 minutes for breaks along the whole route. The route was passable between points 6 and 7, but this is certainly only the case in summer.

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NICA
NICA

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 19, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

It is interesting to note that the Church is located behind the Mairie (Town Hall) which can be discovered by driving slowly along the D129 as there is no signposting in the village.
Behind the Mairie is a small, very convenient car park.
Opposite the church, turn left into the lane, then left at the T-junction, and right at the three-way junction towards the woods.
It's a parish specific to Brittany and very pleasant.
Thanks to joorange

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Orianne28
Orianne28

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 08, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very pleasant walk.
Beware of the mud in some of the woods.
In March 2019, the farm's barn collapsed on the steep slope and we had to climb over the straw clods.
Thank you for this lovely itinerary.

Orianne

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Roromian
Roromian

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 04, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

It's a very good hike with some good steep sections ! Between point 6 and point 7, you did indeed indicate (this path can be very damaged) I'd even say it's become impassable! but you can still make a "plan B" lol... on the edges!
Thanks for your hike.

Roland

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felicie617
felicie617

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 24, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very nice hike, one of my top 3 hikes in the area, with a majority of paths alternating between woods and fields in a very undulating landscape.
There are indeed a few steep climbs, nothing insurmountable (these aren't the Alps either) but it does spice up the route a bit and offers some very nice views.
I personally completed the route in 3? hours, with a 10-minute break at Quilen.
I'll be sure to come back.

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Julien 62
Julien 62

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 12, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very nice hike with beautiful scenery really nice I strongly recommend you will not be disappointed (the small place quihen and very pretty) the viewpoints are magnificent voila (attention walk with beautiful climb quite difficult)

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