Around Cap Blanc-Nez

A very pleasant walk with magnificent views of Wissant beach, Cap Gris Nez, Cap Blanc Nez and the English coastline.

Technical sheet

n°343385

Creation:
18 Aug 2016

Last update:
–

Last review:
16 Jun 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 11.95 km
Average duration: 4h 10
Difficulty: Moderate
Return to departure point: Yes
Vertical gain: + 268 m
Vertical drop: - 277 m
Highest point: 144 m
Lowest point: 4 m

Country: France
Area: Côte d'Opale
District: Escalles (62179)
Start/End: N 50.918736° / E 1.708569°
IGN map(s): Ref. 2103ET
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Description of the walk

Start: Start is from the Cran d'Escalles car park.

(S/E) Head towards the sea and when the path goes down to the beach, take the path on the left (GR^®). Walk along the coast on the cliff; there is no risk of falling, as the path is a good ten metres from the cliff.

(1) Pass the Petit Blanc Nez and its steps and continue along this path. Leave a farm on the left of the path and walk down to the beach. Walk along the beach for 100-150m.

(2) Turn left up the stony path that goes up towards the houses. Continue along this quiet street until you reach the crossroads with the D940.

(3) Caution: Dangerous crossing of the D940 (on a bend). Go straight ahead for about 300m and take the first track on the left.

(4) Begin a long, false-flat climb that joins the GR^®128, then continue down this (tarred) path to the hamlet of Tape-Cul.

(5) At the junction, turn right, then immediately left onto the uphill path.

(6) At the top, head back down towards the village of Haut-Escalles, taking the left-hand path which becomes shaded. At the junction, turn left towards Escalles and Cap Blanc Nez.

(7) New junction, with the D243. Turn right, then as you leave the village, take the path (paved on the first part) on the left. Climb towards Mont d'Hubert.

(8) After a fairly flat stretch, you'll reach a junction of various footpaths. Turn left to return to the Musée du Transmanche and the Mont d'Hubert antenna. Leave them on the left and head downhill towards the D940, which you cross carefully to reach the Cap Blanc Nez car park.

(9) At the exit of the car park, a path begins on the left and you begin the final descent of Cap Blanc Nez. The descent is very well signposted and maintained, with numerous steps.

(10) Opposite the sea, turn left towards the Cran d'Escalle car park(S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 32 m - Parking du Cran d'Escalles
1 : km 1.46 - alt. 53 m - Le Petit Blanc Nez
2 : km 2.71 - alt. 4 m - Left, stony track
3 : km 3.23 - alt. 25 m - Crossing the D940
4 : km 3.59 - alt. 28 m - Left-hand path
5 : km 6.21 - alt. 83 m - Hamlet of Tape-Cul.
6 : km 6.48 - alt. 112 m - To the left, towards the village of Haut-Escalles
7 : km 7.39 - alt. 58 m - Junction D243
8 : km 8.98 - alt. 133 m - Intersection of various footpaths
9 : km 10.38 - alt. 119 m - Car park - Cap Blanc-Nez
10 : km 11.5 - alt. 25 m - Left towards the car park
S/E : km 11.95 - alt. 32 m - Parking du Cran d'Escalles

Practical information

Start: Start is from the Cran d'Escalles car park.

Note: Best done in clear weather, to fully appreciate the views of the Opal Coast, Wissant Bay, Cap Gris, and Blanc Nez.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5

Based on 59 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5

Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5

Route interest
4.9 / 5

User 17540423

Jun 16, 2025 at 13:59 EDT • Last modified: Jun 16, 2025 at 14:00 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very beautiful hike with superb views between the sea and the countryside. There was a slight difficulty in reaching the beach due to erosion of the dunes, but we managed it in the end, which gave us another viewpoint.
Thanks to the author of this hike. JB

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dickw

Oct 14, 2024 at 03:25 EDT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We walked it in the opposite direction, starting at the car park at Blanc-Nez. The views then are walking down towards the sea, and the final stage: across the beach or on the cliffs: view on Blanc-Nez.

Grand Avignon

Apr 29, 2024 at 02:44 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Hiking outside holiday periods and mixed weather

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helenesu

Apr 28, 2024 at 12:04 EDT

Hello, the starting point indicated is the Cran d'Escalles car park, but when I look it up on Google, it says "Permanently closed". Can we still start the walk from this starting point?

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Mister D

Apr 15, 2024 at 04:25 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We did this outing on Sunday and it was a very nice circuit with splendid scenery.
The descriptions and information are very well done, impossible to make a mistake even for a beginner
We completed the outing in 2h37
Overall result: A very pleasant walk that I highly recommend.

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isabel10

Oct 16, 2023 at 05:52 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A beautiful tour with splendid scenery.
We recommend it!

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sportplus

Jun 12, 2023 at 07:41 EDT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A wonderful walk along the cliffs and hills overlooking the sea and Cap Blanc-Nez!

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Cathy Crunelle

Mar 06, 2023 at 16:24 EST

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

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Apero

Nov 22, 2021 at 05:40 EST

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Superb walk, especially the start on the cliffs. It goes up and down all the time without being too difficult.
A word of advice: follow the section of road on the right onto a mini path.

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kcoma

Nov 01, 2021 at 09:13 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We started this walk before sunrise at the end of October, so we could see the city lights on the English coast at the very beginning. The route was not technically difficult, but it did give you a good feeling, as the slightly undulating landscapes left no room for monotony. The end of the walk around Cap Blanc Nez was very windy, so as suggested by a previous walker I made the (brief) diversions to the Dover Patrol and I don't regret it. Overall: a very pleasant walk that I highly recommend, thanks to the author.

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biloute77

Aug 25, 2021 at 03:40 EDT

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Nice loop hike with a bit of elevation gain.
Very good car park with toilet facilities.
Tricky section between points 3 and 4 along the main road.
Just after point 9, don't hesitate to make a diversion via the monument and the platform with its lovely viewpoint.
Best done in the morning for a better view of the English coastline.

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brucedidier

Jun 15, 2021 at 13:11 EDT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

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duffy

Jun 15, 2021 at 09:14 EDT

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

I downloaded the gpx file: no problem
just a section of road where you have to be very careful

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CORNIL

May 05, 2021 at 11:20 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Clear explanations and a very good map
2 suggestions
- start at the Blanc Nez car park
-do the circuit in the other direction, the views will be more beautiful

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Michel80

Sep 14, 2020 at 07:38 EDT

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

There's an inaccuracy at a junction when you're at the top as to which direction to take to reach Cap Blanc Nez. I hadn't loaded the IGN map app yet, but I came across a very friendly person who gave me all the information I needed straight away.

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