Aire-sur-la-Lys walks

The town of Aire-sur-la-Lys is crossed by the Lys river. It is bordered by the Neuffossé Canal, which takes the name Canal d'Aire at La Bassée, from this town onwards. The Bassin des Quatre Faces (Four Faces Basin) once allowed boats to turn around and sail in the desired direction: towards the town, the Lys, the canal towards Saint-Omer or Béthune. It is a signposted trail in the Pays de Saint-Omer urban community.

This route will allow you to discover the diversity of water in Wittes and Aire-sur-la-Lys. In Wittes, you will find the Melde, a tributary of the Lys. In Aire-sur-la-Lys, you will walk along the Lys, the Bassin des Quatre-Faces, the Ballastière ponds and the Canal de Neuffossé. This is a signposted trail maintained by the Communauté d'Agglomération du Pays de Saint-Omer.

This route will take you through several different types of landscape: the Plateau des Landes regional nature reserve, the plain and the Neuffossé Canal. The latter separates the Pas-de-Calais department from the Nord department. It is a marked trail maintained by the Pays de Saint-Omer Urban Community.

Leave Ecques via the same route, then take a long, flat walk through the fields to reach Heuringhem. Continue across the moors of Blendecques, Rietz de l'Église and Bibrou before reaching Quiestède via Les Bruyères. Return via the Bois d'Ecques. The route is relatively flat, but there are a few wet areas (more depending on the weather). During hunting season, avoid Sundays, as some communal woods are rented to hunting clubs! Route modified and improved in September 2024 to avoid the D 190.

A short, undulating route offering beautiful views.

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.

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

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.

The Sentier des Fontinettes invites you to discover the often overlooked natural riches of Arques: from the Étang de Beauséjour to the Étang de Malhôve, via the Forêt de Rihoult (forest) and the canal towpath, not forgetting the nautical base and boat lift.

A short walk in the Artois region, particularly pleasant in autumn.

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?

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.

Up to the entrance to the Bois des Dames, the route is much the same as this hike (there aren't many options in the Bois de Roquelaure), but I took other paths to cross the Bois des Dames. The end of the route passes behind Emmaüs before reaching the Chartreuse des Dames and joining the Bois des Sablières.It's long, winding, almost entirely unpaved and with a significant elevation gain. Very difficult in wet weather.The use ofthe Visorando app is strongly recommended.

More than 22 km of trails for a nature trail with some nice climbs and descents. Sharpen your calves!Beautiful views, woods and, if you're lucky, a few wild animals. At least, the ones that the hunters don't slaughter, as we recently freed two roe deer caught in snares (fox traps, but any animal can get caught there, and it's legal!).

This is a long walk in an urban area, but 90% of it is on paths. Start at the old bridge and its steps, then follow the Biette (a beautiful footbridge restored last year) to Ourton. Next, climb back up (unfortunately on the road) before descending to Beugin. Follow another bridge to the Divion Viaduct. There, a slightly tricky descent takes you back to the banks of the Lawe. Follow it first on the left bank, then on the right bank before following the bus route. And to finish in style, the Bois de la Volville, with a nice climb at the end.