Nord walks

This walk will take you around the Mont des Cats along paths and back roads. It will reveal its viewpoints, its chapels, its heritage and its gentle slopes.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

A walk that will allow you to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Flanders as you descend north of Mont-Cassel.Admittedly, there are long stretches of tarmac, but these are not busy roads.

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

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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.__

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.

A hike that begins by circling the Marais de Péronne, then moves on to the hamlet of Maresqueldes and ends at the Marais du Warlet. This loop offers diverse landscapes, between water (the Marque (stream), marsh, pond), and fields and pastures. It runs alongside two small roads, otherwise it's all on footpaths.On the program: observation of marsh birds, fish in a fishing pond and a variety of native wildlife.

A beautiful, varied and very natural route, especially the last 7 km.You can visit the church at Bouvines, with its stained-glass windows recounting the battle of the same name, the outcome of which contributed to the creation of France.

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 pleasant route from Sainghin-en-Mélantois, passing through Gruson and then Bouvines. Cross the Bois de Noyelle, go around the Bois de l'Infière and return via theGR® in Val de Marque.

A pleasant stroll across the plain between the villages of Bachy and Cobrieux, just a stone's throw from the Franco-Belgian border.

At the start of this route, you can visit the magnificent park and garden of the Countess de Robersart, who lived at the château of the same name in the 19th century. This perfectly circular garden contains many listed medicinal and perennial plants.You'll also appreciate this remarkable marina on the Canal de la Deûle.The rest of the route is a leisurely stroll on asphalt through the Wambrechies countryside.

As part of the Baladavesnois collection, this trail allows you to discover forest and aquatic environments.

This varied walk around Val Joly will enable you to discover the beauty of this little Switzerland of the North. The lake, unspoilt hedged farmland, Avesnois houses and villages will give you a chance to appreciate the variety of landscapes in the south of the North department.

A loop around Château de la Motte on the edge of the national forest, with undulating paths, fords and ponds, this is a charming walk.Depending on the season, some paths can be muddy, so appropriate equipment is useful.

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 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.

Prémesques, the starting village, is at the edge of the suburbs, close to Lomme and Pérenchies.This humble asphalt route could nonetheless satisfy joggers and provide plenty of fresh air for walkers. What else could you ask for?If you set off at daybreak, you might see a few partridges fly in, encounter a few rabbits and maybe even some hares.

This trail is particularly suitable for families, offering an insight into stone quarrying and industry.

A wooded, undulating walk offering beautiful views over the Avesnois countryside and the meandering Helpe area.

This route takes you through the mythical 'Trouée d'Arenberg' (Arenberg gap), the venue for the Paris-Roubaix race, and then on to the Mare à Goriaux bird sanctuary.

Hike between footpaths, marshes and woods, from Fretin to the Bonnance Marshes via the Warlet Marsh. This hike is best enjoyed with a pair of binoculars. You will find several birdwatching huts along the way.

Between edge and forest, this trail allows you to discover the hideouts of the hedgerows, forest paths and trails. The atmosphere changes with the seasons.

The route takes you along "caches", hedgerow paths connecting the villages and surrounding pastures, farm tracks and quiet roads.

Explorational tour of the Forêt Domaniale de l’Abbé Val Joly - can be combined with the Parc de Liessies tour.

Easy walk from Bellaing to the slag heap, the mining cottages and the Haveluy pit.Return through the countryside with a view of the Arenberg slagheap and the Saint-Amand forest.Enjoy the walk.

Starting from Herrin church, this pleasant walk uses sections of the Route de Naviettes and Route des Marlettes: links are available in the "Practical information" section below.

This is a beautiful walk that highlights all the attractions of a small fortified town crossed by the River Aa, with a beautiful seafront and well-maintained green spaces ideal for walking. You will quickly forget that Gravelines is best known for its nuclear power station.

A family route in the heart of the Mormal massif to be discovered throughout the seasons. By being discreet, it is easier to observe the different animals that inhabit the massif. Don't forget your forest observation guide.

Accessible all year round, this route crosses the Maroilles bocage along small country roads. Many elements of the Thiérache heritage can be seen along the route (old farmhouses, water mills, chapels, bocage).

This wooded trail is easy to follow. It runs alongside rural hedgerows and streets with characteristic housing.

Arnèke is a village of 1,600 inhabitants not far from Cassel. You'll discover beautiful views of Cassel and Mont des Récollets, as well as the church of Zegerscappel.

Starting from and returning to the Brasserie au Baron, traveling between the Avesnois Nature Park in France and the Haut-Pays Nature Park in Belgium, this hike brings together the most picturesque segments through back alleys, winding paths, remarkable village centres, paths through the wooded countryside and old railway lines.

Loop passing Lac du Héron in Villeneuve-d'Ascq and Forest-sur-Marque. This walk goes along the Marque river for a while and follows part of the GR® 121B.

If the need for silence, tranquillity, and rolling pastoral landscapes takes hold of you, the Bois de Fagne circuit will fulfil your needs and leave you feeling rested and in the holiday spirit... It’s hard to believe you’re so far north, especially if the sun is out.

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.

Walk around the village of Ennetières along the TGV (high-speed train) line and then the runways of Lesquin airport.Cobblestones and tarmac, ideal when the dirt roads are too muddy.