Biache-Saint-Vaast walks

Hiking through the marshes of Biache - Saint-Vaast, Plouvain Roeux and Pelves.

A peaceful, shaded walk around Lac Bleu, along the River Scarpe and through the Plouvain Marshes. Easily accessible and suitable for all seasons.

A short walk around Fampoux, best done when the sun isn’t too strong!

This walk will take you through the plains and woods of the Arrageois region, which marked the limit of the German advance during the First World War. The marker can be seen on the RD 939. From Monchy, the Germans bombarded Arras, destroying the belfry.

This flat hike will take you from Bailleul-sir-Berthout to the villages of Gavrelle and Oppy, along good paths. Bailleul was completely destroyed during the First World War. In 1833, Minister Guizot passed a law requiring all municipalities to have a school.

Venez découvrir les village de Fampoux, Feuchy et Athies en passant par les bois, étangs et marais.

A leisurely walk of less than two hours on flat terrain in a natural, sparsely built-up environment. It partly follows the route of another walk I really like, but in the opposite direction, which offers a different perspective: Hamel and its marshes, a little piece of Canada

A lovely little walk along the beautiful Hamel and Arleux ponds.

From Hamel, you can explore the marshes of the region - it's like a little Canada! You'll also discover man-made works such as the Église de l'Écluse, an unusual barge, the Canal du Nord with the Palluel lock and nature trails.

A circular route around Farbus, allowing you to explore the village and the surrounding countryside.

This family trail follows the trails of the Petite Sensée, a small river at the gateway to the Douais urban area, winding through the village of Goeulzin.Easy to navigate, it can be enjoyed all year round, but in wet weather you'll need to wear waterproof footwear.

Very few roads on this rural route, which becomes quite difficult in wet weather. Although the elevation gain does not seem significant, the Sentier de la Vignette, on the northern edge of Vimy Wood, is very hilly, with steep slopes that will give your calves a good workout. It is, of course, possible to go down into the trenches and wander a little through this labyrinth.

A countryside walk near the town of Arras.Plenty of paths and small roads that are not really suitable for vehicles. To spice up the route a little, I’ve added a section of the Vignette trail (going in the opposite direction, so there are no signposts) which takes you round the Bois de Vimy. This route is quite challenging but very enjoyable and is now well maintained.

You will discover the villages of Thélus, Willerval, and Farbus. These three villages are less than 10 km from Vimy and its Canadian First World War memorial, which is well worth a visit to complement this hike.

This short hike around Vimy, between the town, voyettes (small streets in local dialect) and plains, will give you a different perspective on our beautiful region, its heritage and its memory of the Great War

This local hike will introduce you to this charming village in the community of Lens-Lievin. It took in the wounded during the Battle of Lens in August 1648 and many other battles, including the Battle of Vimy Ridge from 9 to 12 April 1917. The ponds around Vimy are former shell holes. Even today, unexploded ordnance can still be found.

This walk, starting from Place de la République, will take you to the Canadian Memorial. It then follows a descent through Thélus and Farbus via the Bois du Goulot. You will pass by the Saint-Ranulphe Fountain. The whole route is on good paths.

This walk will introduce you to Arras, starting along the Scarpe river. You will then continue through the town and admire its monuments, from the citadel to the execution wall, the belfry and the main square.

The walk begins along the Canal du Nord and then continues along country lanes. When you arrive in Oisy-le-Verger, you are immediately greeted by the horses at the riding centre. Then we weave our way through to the Bois Duquesnoy. As I can't take my dog on the municipal tidal paths, I turn off early to continue along a quiet, leafy country lane. Finally, we return along the canal to the car park. Enjoy your walk.

This itinerary takes you to Europe's longest slag heap, which stretches over 2km and fills an ancient valley. You'll enjoy views over the coalfield and the Artois hills. At times, you'll have the impression of walking along a mountain ridge. An entirely wooded terril, it is a reserve for numerous species.

Starting from Étang du Brochet, this hike will take you up Terril du Lavoir, before crossing the Méricourt mining village and then the necropolis of 10 March 1906, a memorial site following the mining disaster that claimed 1,099 lives.

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.

Belle randonnée à faire en famille entre terrils, étangs et points de vue.

A route that takes you through the Fouquières marshes. You'll climb the wooded slag heap 83, offering a view of a mysterious artificial valley. You'll then head for slag heap 94 (staircase slag heap), passing the schlamm bins (storage of mining waste) and the Harnes fishing pond. Return along the path that runs alongside the Lens canal.

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 take you to the top of the flat 80 slag heap (shaped like a plateau), offering a beautiful view of the mining basin and the Artois hills. The rest of the route follows the course of the Souchez river in a green and peaceful setting.

Slag heaps are not just piles of dead rocks; reactions are still taking place at their core. As evidence of these reactions, gaseous fumaroles escape from them. To see this for yourself, head to Harnes, starting from the Bois de Florimond, and make your way towards the slag heap. Then follow the signposted path known as the “Sentier des Fumerolles” (Fumaroles Trail), marked by concrete posts, which will take you to Slurry Heap 230. It is a surprising journey offering a wide variety of landscapes and points of interest: views of fumaroles, a viewpoint over the south-east of the mining basin, a viewpoint over the canyon, and more.

Pour cette randonnée vous passerez sur les bords de la Souchez et par le Parc de la Glissoire sur des chemins tranquilles et piste cyclables.

This hike between woods and town will take you past the former Fosse n°6 in Liévin, the Bois de l'Abime and Givenchy, before climbing the Terril de Pinchonvalles on good paths. It is a remarkable route for its biodiversity.

Located in the heart of the mining basin, the Bois des Hautois in Oignies is a preserved site where hiking trails wind their way between slag heaps, ponds and pastures. The suggested route is situated in the immediate vicinity of the former 9-9 bis pithead, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 30 June 2012, and whose metal headframe is never far from view, helping you to find your way along the route.

This walk, starting from the 9-9bis Mining Centre, will take you across both slag heaps without much difficulty, offering beautiful views of the slag heap range. The walk follows very good wooded paths on the first slag heap of the route. It is advisable to do the walk in the morning. You can extend the walk by crossing the Bois des Hautois, but there are a great many fallen trees.

This walk, starting from Leforest, passes around two slag heaps and along the greenway (GR® 121B). It is well shaded for the first two-thirds of the route (Phalempin National Forest). It is an ideal walk during the hot summer months; however, the paths can become muddy on rainy autumn or winter days. The route also offers a chance to admire the “ladder tree” in the Bois de l’Offlarde, which served as a German observation post during theFirst World War.

A route that takes you from the former 9-9bis pit in Oignies, with its renovated buildings that will transport you back several decades. You will then cross the Bois de Gosse and stop at the wildlife observatory. The landscape will take on a more lunar appearance as you climb the slag heap, before finally returning to the pit via the old mining sidings (rail tracks).

This short hike starting from Liévin will take you through the gardens of the Louvre-Lens Museum and the Bollaert Delelis Stadium. You will cross the skate park before reaching the Jean Perrin public garden via well-maintained paths.

This route will first take you through the Offlarde and Phalempin forests. The landscape then becomes more lunar as you skirt around slag heap 108 and climb slag heap 122 (viewpoint over the mining basin).

There is nothing monotonous about this route: you run or walk across a huge site, skirting an agricultural area here, old paths lined with sweet peas and wild blackberries there, sheltered by undergrowth or alongside a large pond. And without even noticing, you arrive at the foot of the old conical slag heap on the border between Nord and Pas-de-Calais. To reach the top, it takes a little more effort, but it's worth it because once you're at the top, the view is exceptional!

This circular allows you to admire the rich natural landscapes and mining heritage of the region. During this walk in the great outdoors, you will follow "les cavaliers", the old railway tracks of the Compagnie des Mines that connected all the mine shafts and slag heaps in the region when mining was in full swing. An excursion combining nature and history, to be discovered without delay!

This hike from Moncheaux passes by the Thumeries golf course, slag heap 122, Leforest lake, and then the greenway. It is fairly shaded, especially in the first part.

An itinerary that will take you to Europe's king of slag heaps! You'll first discover the former 11/19 base with its headframes and mining buildings currently being converted. You'll also enjoy a few pleasant passages through the undergrowth.

Starting from the Jardins du Louvre nursery, this round trip will take you along Eurovélo 5, through woods and town, to Saint-Auguste Church, where you will turn back.

A beautiful walk that will allow you to discover Loos-en-Gohelle, passing by the Canadian Memorial, the 11-19 base and other sites.

A walk through the countryside around Mons-en-Pévèle, the Cinq Tailles bird sanctuary, and the town of Thumeries.

Starting from the village of Bourlon , this walk invites you to discover the typical landscapes of the Cambrésis region as you make your way successively to Sains-lès-Marquion and then Marquion . With a mix of country lanes, wooded sections and unobstructed views over the plains, the route offers a varied, accessible walk full of little local gems to discover. A circular route ideal for enjoying the rural tranquillity and exploring three villages steeped in history and nature.

A very beautiful hike to the highest slag heaps in Europe with a view of the Flanders mountains on a clear day.

This short hike starting from Loos-en-Gohelle will take you to the slag heap and the 11/19 site. On the way back, you will cross the British Military Cemetery and the Canadian Memorial at Hill 70, all on good paths.

Short and easy hike through the mining wasteland, slag heap and railway embankment, with a wooded section.