Around the Saint-Quentin canal between Masnières and Marcoing

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From Masnières, you can discover a piece of industrial heritage (glassworks, canal, railway) during a walk along pleasant footpaths.

Details

n°724066
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.81 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 36 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 36 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 243 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 177 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Masnières (59241)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 50.114624° / E 3.209762°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2507E
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Description of the walk

Park in the car park opposite Masnières Town Hall.

(S/E) Exit the car park on the right and cross the canal bridge.

(1) Go down to the right towards the towpath and walk between the canal and the Scheldt for about 2.5 km.

(2) After the old railway bridge, take the small path that descends to the left along the Scheldt towards the village of Marcoing.

(3) At the end of the path, turn right into the village and follow Rue de la Gare. Cross the canal, turn left into Rue de Cambrai and walk past a riding centre.

(4) At the fork, take Chemin de Rumilly, which climbs to the right.

(5) Just after the railway line, take the small path to the right (Sentier de la Gare) which crosses the D15 twice.

(6) Continue straight ahead in the landscaped area until you reach the back of the retirement home, which you go around on the left. Continue to the roundabout in front of the glassworks.

(7) Turn left onto Rue de Marcoing and join Rue Nationale.

(8) Go down Rue Nationale on the right to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 207 ft - Grand Place
  2. 1 : mi 0.11 - alt. 203 ft - Masnières Bridge, on the right - Canal de Saint-Quentin
  3. 2 : mi 1.73 - alt. 190 ft - Railway bridge, on the left - Escaut (fleuve)
  4. 3 : mi 2.01 - alt. 184 ft - Rue de la Gare, on the right
  5. 4 : mi 2.37 - alt. 197 ft - Fork, Chemin de Rumilly on the right
  6. 5 : mi 2.56 - alt. 210 ft - Path from the station on the right
  7. 6 : mi 4.06 - alt. 230 ft - D15, opposite
  8. 7 : mi 4.49 - alt. 233 ft - Roundabout, on the left
  9. 8 : mi 4.7 - alt. 233 ft - Rue Nationale
  10. S/E : mi 4.81 - alt. 207 ft - Grand Place

Notes

Please note that the path from the station between points (5) and (6) consists of barge ballast containing lots of pieces of glass (watch your dogs' paws and make sure children don't fall over).

Worth a visit

Between (1) and (2), you will pass the Masnières glassworks and its barge unloading quays (on the other side of the canal), with the noise of the furnaces in operation, then you will find peace and quiet again at the Bracheux lock.
The old railway line, now disused, which you cross at (2) and then at (5) and along which you then walk, used to connect the Saint-Emilie sugar factory in the Somme to Cambrai.
Between (5) and (6), you can go down to the right to an educational area with some explanations about the insects that inhabit this biotope (insect hotel) and then you will find an explanatory panel about the barge ballasting area (go down to the right towards the canal). On the left is a small military cemetery.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
Runs59
Runs59

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route, well described by the app and previous reviews.
Indeed, don’t be put off by the immediate surroundings of the glassworks. The paths are well maintained.
I went on this walk on 1 May in lovely spring weather; I passed a few walkers and anglers along the canal. I recommend it.

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frimousse59
frimousse59

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The first part along the canal was muddy because tree felling work on the path had damaged it with the passage of machinery. Otherwise, it was a relaxing and peaceful walk, apart from the crossing
Marcoing (a few cars).

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Fassoa
Fassoa

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice little walk, good explanations, the route along the canal is very pleasant...

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dvd59
dvd59

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route on this Sunday morning in February with spring-like weather. The outward journey along the canal is nice; don't be put off by the glassworks at the start. The return journey is just as good, slightly higher up than the canal but never very far away.

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abcpc
abcpc

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Beautiful hike. Between the canal, the Scheldt and the undergrowth. Few villages to cross. The paths are clean and easy. Few people, but the weather was very overcast.

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fred076
fred076

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 19, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Very beautiful walk

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Papy-Rene
Papy-Rene

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Pleasant walk along the Saint Quentin Canal. Very well-detailed route.

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