Berthen walks

These three mountains watch over Bailleul, the capital of Flanders between Lille and Dunkirk: Mont des Cats, Mont de Boeschepe and Mont Noir, plus Mont Kokereel. From the top of these small hills (180m), you can enjoy views over the surrounding area. The route offers several points of interest, including Marguerite Yourcenar's house on Mont Noir, the Boschepe mill in the village of the same name, and Mont des Cats and its abbey of Cistercian monks, founded in 1826.

This walk will take you around the Mont des Cats along paths and back roads. It will reveal its viewpoints, its chapels, its heritage and its gentle slopes.

A bucolic tour through the wild hyacinths and wild garlic blooming in late April and early May. Discover the Mont Noir and Flanders (Saint-Jans-Cappel, view of Mont des Cats and Bailleul) through undergrowth, forest paths and small roads.

This is a route on which I had fun concentrating as many difficulties as possible (more than 400 m of elevation gain). This gives it a somewhat labyrinthine feel, but it allows you to avoid tarmac as much as possible. So you walk from peak to peak on well-marked, clean paths. The use ofthe Visorando app is highly recommended, even though the numbering system is very practical.

A long, slightly winding route to enjoy the beautiful Belgian trails, which are well maintained and clearly marked. Simple signposting: there are posts with numbers and an arrow indicating the number you want to go to (not easy to explain but obvious when you're there). Difficult route, even very difficult in wet weather.

Departure and arrival at the car park of Loker Church via the countryside of Saint Jans Cappel and the Marguerite Yourcenar Nature Reserve at Mont Noir. Pass through the Douve Valley, which forms the border with France, and along Mont Rouge.

Departure and arrival at the car park of Loker church via the Westouter countryside. Crossing the Hellegatbos woods with a passage through the Trou de l'Enfer (Hell's Hole) on Mont Rouge. Passing near the Baneberg mill in Westouter. Crossing the Douve valley, which forms the border between France and Belgium. Crossing into France through the Mont Noir countryside in Saint Jans Cappel and the vineyards of Dranouter. Hike without description, to be followed with the Visorando app.

Start and finish at the car park of the church in Dranouter via Monteberg, Lettenberg and Kemmelberg. Pass along the Monteberg vineyard and through the woods of the Kemmelberg provincial estate.

Short route on beautiful, well-maintained Belgian trails with good signage.Simple signposting: there are posts with numbers and an arrow indicating the number you want to go to (not easy to explain but obvious when you're there). In wet weather, some areas may be soggy or even very muddy.

A patchwork of different routes in the area for a long hike that will delight your thighs.As for the mountains, like the Musketeers, there are four (or even five, I forgot the Baneberg near the mill), as you climb Mont Noir twice.In short, a nice climb in the Flat Country on numerous paths and a few small, quiet roads. It's a demanding route, because even between the mountains, there are plenty of small hills. But, as is often the case in Belgium, the trails are well maintained and constantly being improved.

Start and finish at the car park of Dranouter church via Monteberg, the countryside of Kemmel and Loker. Pass by the vineyards of Monteberg, Kemmel and Loker. Pass by the French ossuary of the 1914-1918 war in Kemmel. Hike without description, to be followed with the Visorando app.

Departure from the car park of De Klijte church via Loker, Scherpenberg, Mont Rouge and Sulferberg. Hike without description to be followed using the Visorando app

Start and finish at the car parks of either De Klijte church or Loker via Scherpenberg, Sulferberg and the Mont Rouge nature reserve (Hellegatbos, or 'hole in the hill') with its De Kosmos recreation park. Hike without description, to be followed with the Visorando app.

Departure and arrival in De Klijte via Lettenberg, Kemmelberg, Monteberg and Scherpenberg. Crossing Scherpenberg and the Hellebeek nature reserve Passing close to the vineyards of Mont Kemmel, Mont Rouge and Mont Noir. Hike without description, to be followed on the Visorando app.

Departure from the car park of De Klijte church. Crossing Scherpenberg and the Hellebeek nature reserve. Passing close to the vineyards of Mont Kemmel, Mont Rouge and Mont Noir. Hike without description to be followed using the Visorando app.