Discovering the Audomarois marshlands

A walk that combines crossing the Clairmarais market garden marsh with the Romelaëre Nature Reserve.
Lots of birdwatching: ash herons, coots, storks... And the star attraction of this walk: crossing the canals on the chain ferries, which will appeal to young and old alike!
Please note: chain ferries and drawbridges only operate from March 15 to September 5.

Details

9520977
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.86 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 7 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the Grange Nature car park in Clairmarais.

(S/E) Head towards the marshes and turn right after the small bridge (signposted: Circuit de Booneghem).
Follow the Booneghem river and cross the marshes, which are home to Saint-Omer's emblematic cabbages and cauliflowers, which you can buy from the market gardeners just outside Clairmarais.

(1) Take the metal footbridge, on your right, to cross the river and follow the Chemin des Abbesses, along the river, which bends to the left towards a road.

(2) At the end of Chemin des Abbesses, turn left onto Route de Booneghem. Pass the inn of the same name. At the crossroads with the Chemin du West Brouck, turn left to continue through the village of Booneghem.

(3) At no. 58 Route de Booneghem, turn left onto the narrow path and enter the nature reserve. Continue due south to the 1er chain ferry, the star attraction of this hike.

(4) Cross the Zieux and turn right to the drawbridge.

(5) Cross the Zieux again to visit the Romeläere Nature Reserve. Follow the footbridges. You can continue to the observatory and make a loop, or turn left to the 2° chain ferry (marked).

(6) Cross the Zieux again, using the chain ferry, then turn left to Rue du Romelaere and join the Grange Nature car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 5 m - Grange Nature car park in Clairmarais - Marais Audomarois (Pas-de-Calais et Nord)
  2. 1 : km 1.31 - alt. 3 m - Gateway
  3. 2 : km 2.23 - alt. 6 m - Left fork
  4. 3 : km 3.79 - alt. 6 m - Junction at number 58
  5. 4 : km 4.7 - alt. 2 m - Chain tray
  6. 5 : km 5.01 - alt. 2 m - Drawbridge
  7. 6 : km 5.88 - alt. 3 m - 2nd chain box
  8. S/E : km 6.86 - alt. 4 m - Grange Nature car park in Clairmarais

Notes

Grange Nature, exhibitions and events.

Please note: chain ferries and drawbridges only operate from March 15 to September 5. There is no information on site!

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 19 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
tatalia
tatalia

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Follow the signs carefully at Booneghem – some passages are narrow, watch out for nettles if you are wearing shorts – a magnificent nature trail along the marshes and, for children, the chain ferry is a real attraction! Definitely worth a visit

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User 12105099

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It's a pity that at the moment the ferries are in a terrible state, we've had to adapt and change the route; the walk, although changed, is still very beautiful.

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fil 59140
fil 59140

Nice little hike. Easy
However, beware of dogs not allowed in the marsh.

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VirginieL
VirginieL

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I recently had the opportunity to do the 'Discovering the Audomarois Marshes' walking trail and I have to say I was absolutely delighted with the experience! Thank you to Visorando for this magnificently designed route, which enabled me to discover all the beauty of the Audomarois marshes. I highly recommend this walk to anyone who loves nature and beautiful landscapes!

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fil 59140
fil 59140

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice, easy route.

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Marisol
Marisol

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No


Very pleasant route, along the canals, then the countryside, then the marshes, it's varied.
Meet the artist who painted the animals on the electrical cabinet at the start and sculpted the witch tree, not to be missed. I used the GPS and had a great time on this route, especially the 2 chain ferry crossings, which are original.
I'd recommend it.

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marie59640
marie59640

we did the Fontinettes boat trail in Arques
nice walk except that on the way back to town there are no markings to get back to the starting point

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liloulette95
liloulette95

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The group enjoyed crossing the river on the chain ferry - laughter guaranteed!

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PADRAIG
PADRAIG

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It is indeed a very pleasant walk, but BEWARE: after a long, rather muddy path (the joys of walking after rain...) we found ourselves facing the first chain ferry that was locked on the other bank (and it was 26/05) (crossing the Zieux, description at point 4).
Thanks to the idiot who had fun blocking this passage!
In short, a mandatory U-turn and back to square one by the same route. A bit frustrating not to have been able to do the loop to get back.

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christophebr
christophebr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a very pleasant walk in the marshes of the audomarois region, as described, and the 2 passages through the BAC are very pleasant. the paths in the marshes give you a good view of this special environment. recommended.

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Chadock62
Chadock62

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Map very difficult to read.

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Ballade62
Ballade62

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very nice, easy walk for the whole family. The children enjoyed the section with the chain bins. However, be careful as dogs are not allowed at Romelaere.

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TOF-5962
TOF-5962

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk in the heart of the marshes and the Romelaere, full of charm, a must!
No difficulties on this route

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Igloo-25
Igloo-25

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant walk full of discoveries of flora and fauna for those who know how to observe and remain discreet. Interesting drawbridges to make it easier for boats to pass through the canals.
What a laugh with the chain ferries.
One regret: the walk is really short.

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baster59
baster59

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, well-detailed route.

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