Acq walks

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.

This walk starts in Écoivres, a hamlet in Mont-Saint-Éloi, and takes you through the surrounding villages. Don't forget to visit the Droites Pierres (Straight Stones), or Pierres du Diable (Devil's Stones) according to legend, and climb up to the old abbey.

This hike will take you through woods and plains, passing through the Bois Poret. You will then pass the British cemetery and the old train station before crossing the Bois des Baudets. Here you may encounter some beautiful wildlife.

This walk will introduce you to this charming village in Artois and its surroundings. Following good paths across the plains and through the woods, you will reach the entrance to Mont Saint-Éloi, with a view of the old abbey.

This hike, starting from the Bois de Marœuil, will take you to the hamlet of Bray et Écoivres, along very good paths and through the Franco-British cemetery. The return journey is via the Bois de Marœuil.

This hike in the Artois plain will take you along good paths to Villers-Châtel and its castle, park and cave, where you can enjoy the surrounding landscapes, biodiversity and heritage.

This is a reworking of an existing route, part of which has unfortunately disappeared due to lack of maintenance. The route through Aubignyen-Artois has also been modified to take the old, less busy streets, and a return trip to Villers-Châtel has been added to admire the church and castle.The circuit is done in the opposite direction to the signposting, which allows you to start with the most urban part.See practical information

This walk from Carency takes you through Villers-au-Bois between plains and woods without any great difficulty. Carency was a seigneury until around 1620, then became a barony until 1665 before becoming a marquisate.

A fairly classic route around Mont-Saint-Éloi (the area is very well signposted), with three less-travelled sections to Villers-au-Bois. It's a bit winding (not intuitive, as one of my friends always says), but it allows you to take a few less-frequented paths.

This hike will take you through Carency, Mont-Saint-Éloi and its ancient abbey on good paths.A bit of history: in 1727, an oratory dedicated to Notre-Dame-de-Lorette was built on Mont Coquaine, which has now become a necropolis with the Anneau de la Mémoire (Ring of Remembrance).

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

This walk pays tribute to Doctor Ablin Hernu, born in 1849 in Divion and died in 1920. He was the seventh of 10 children. His work covered an area stretching from Arras in the south to Aire-sur-la-Lys in the north and from Béthune in the east to Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise in the west. He was a medical officer during the 1870 war, when he studied medicine. He would walk the 40 km from Divion to Arras.

A short hike for the whole family. Starting from the old station, you will walk to Ablain-Saint-Nazaire, passing in front of the old church and along the Souchez. This hike can be enjoyed in all seasons.

During this walk, you'll enter a beautiful region that was devastated by the 1st World War. More than 180,000 people lost their lives during the Battle of Artois, which began in May-June 1915. This walk starts at the edge of a cemetery where 44,000 soldiers of all origins are buried. Many more are, and will remain, buried forever beneath the beautiful landscapes you're about to cross.

This local hike starting from La Pyramide will take you around Souchez along good paths. You will walk along the Souchez river and then climb up to the site of Notre-Dame de Lorette before returning to the village via Parc Cassin.

Hike through plains and woods, passing by the Canadian Memorial, which you can visit, as well as the museum and the trenches (by reservation).

Randonnée qui va vous emmener sur les hauteurs de Bouvigny à travers bois et plaine. Faites un arret à l'oratoire entre le point 4 et 5

Caucourt is a small village near Olhain.From the church, you cross pleasant plains and villages, especially on sunny days.Avoid this route in very hot weather, as it is not much shade; in rain or fog, the view won't be as good!... In the direction of the trail, you'll save the best until last, the Gué de Caucourt and its 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.

An easy hike on beautiful paths that will take you through Simencourt and Berneville. Warlus was the seat of a seigneury before the revolution. This hike in the plains, with a few wooded sections, is ideal for families.

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.

Long route with some fairly difficult trails.The trail between (3) and (4) is very difficult but can be avoided. It was passable at the end of September 2025 (dry period).There are a few road crossings, but with very little traffic.

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) 

Randonnée variée autour Aix-Noulette et au pied de Notre-Dame-de-Lorette.

Peu de goudron sur ce parcours qui permet d'arpenter les chemins du Bois des Bruyères et de faire le tour du Terril de Pinchonvalles. J'ai dû changer le départ car le beau chemin qui partait à gauche dans la Rue de l'Église est pour le moment (???) en chantier : nouveau lotissement en construction. Malgré toutes les promesses, on continue à bétonner les villes. Prions Ste Godasse et St Croquenot pour que ce chemin réapparaisse après les travaux.

This route will delight you with its diversity of landscapes. Enjoy some panoramic views and the ancient abbey of Mont Saint-Eloi. (19) See: practical information.

This hike takes you on the trail of the Great War, passing through Aix-Noulette and Notre-Dame-de-Lorette. From 15 May 1915 onwards, numerous battles raged between French and German forces. There were many dead and wounded on both sides.

After a fairly gentle start on wide farm tracks, the walk becomes more challenging as you cross the Bois des Bruyères in Angres, where the paths are very wet.Next comes the climb up Lorette, ending with a double crossing of the equally damp Bois de Noulette. ROUTE CHANGED IN SEPTEMBER 2025. However, as the trail between points 19 and 20 is very difficult in wet weather, I have noted the end of the old route, from point 15, in the practical information section.

This hike, starting from Angres, will take you through the Bois de l'Abîme and the Bois des Bruyères before descending to Souchez. You will then pass through Prés Molaine and Ablain-St-Nazaire before climbing to Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, the highest point of this hike, before a more leisurely return.

This hike, starting from Angres, will take you through the Bois de l'Abimes and Givenchy, with a passage over the Terril de Pinchonvalles. Angres was occupied during the Gallo-Roman period, but is better known for its mining industry (from 1907 onwards), with pits No. 6 and No. 6 bis. They were destroyed during the First World War. Mining resumed in 1920, before closing permanently in 1984.

Walk in the Fresnicourt le Dolmen area Starting from Olhain Castle and heading towards the "Table aux Fées" dolmen, you will pass two sandstone crosses dating from the 13th and 16th centuries, then the hamlet of Verdrel and the Olhain State Forest with its leisure centre, before returning through the forest. Superb views over the plain and its villages. It is best to do this walk in dry weather as the paths can be difficult in wet conditions.

This hike between plains and woods will take you to Barly Castle. Listed as a historic monument, it was built in 1780 by the Blin family. It is open to visitors today. You will also see Fosseux Castle, which was built in 1770 by Parisian architect Villetard at the request of Ferdinand Dubois de Hoves de Fosseux.

This local hike will take you up to the heights of Coupigny, then past the Étangs des Claires Fontaines, the Corons Beclet and, of course, the slag heap. The hike is on good paths and offers beautiful biodiversity.

This hike takes you along good paths through Verdrel, Bracquencourt and Barlin's Cité n°9, without any major difficulties.A bit of history: Coupigny gave its name to a large noble family from Artois. Its official name appeared in 1801.

The route is in a very urbanised area, but it is almost always on paths and it is pleasant to follow a river for so long.Apart from the length, it is not too difficult.For enthusiasts, there are numerous information panels, first between Agny and Wailly, then in Rivière. In the past, you used to see lots of deer at the start of the walk (near the "Le Marché à Dieu" woods), but I haven't seen any since the Rocade Sud was built.

A short walk on good paths in the hills above La Comté. On a clear day, the panorama is superb, and if you're luckier than me, you'll spot a few deer.