Circular route starting from Calais via Cap Blanc Nez

Start at the junction of Rue d’Ostande and Rue de Moscou. Parking available along the streets.

(S/E) With your back to Rue d’Ostande, turn right onto Rue de Moscou. At the roundabout, Place de Norvège, take the^{4th exit} towards the town centre (Quai de la Meuse). Cross the bridge over the canal then turn immediately right onto the cycle path. Pass the Lycée Pierre de Coubertin in Calais, then, at the roundabout, turn right and follow the cycle path on the left at the pedestrian crossing.

(1) Follow it to the left until the end.

(2) At the crossroad (Digue Camin), turn left and, at the next junction, turn right. Join the next road on the left, at the first houses in Sangatte. Follow it and keep left at the next junctions until you reach a crossroad.

(3) Turn right and join the cycle path on the left a few metres before the junction with a wayside shrine.

(4) Follow it (GR®) to reach the viewpoint over the Fond Pignon.

(5) After taking in the view, continue uphill for a few more metres. At the crossroads, continue straight ahead and, via a long descent, reach the centre of the hamlet of Haute Escalles.

(6) Turn left towards Saint-Inglevert, then quickly right onto Rue à Vaches. Continue along the path and, when you reach the tarmac, head down to the right. Walk past the hamlet of Le Tape-Cul and arrive at the next junction.

(7) Turn left onto the shared path on the left (closed to motor vehicles) and continue straight on until you reach a three-way junction.

(8) Keep to the right and head downhill to a crossroad.

(9) Follow it to the left (D940), taking the cycle path, and reach the next junction.

(10) Turn left and head for No. 8 in the hamlet of Sombre.

(11) Turn left onto the dead-end track, which is closed to motor vehicles. At the three-way junction ahead, keep right and climb up to the track suitable for vehicles (elevation 150m).

(12) Turn right and descend to the next junction, after the right-hand bend.

(13) Take the hairpin bend to the left and carry on straight ahead. At the road, continue straight on and you’ll reach a three-way junction.

(14) Keep left here and at the next junction, and you’ll reach a road.

(15) Cross it and continue straight ahead to the next junction.

(16) Turn left here and at the next fork, and follow the road until you rejoin the route you took earlier, at the corner by the wire fence.

(3) Turn right onto the cycle path and retrace your steps until you reach the D940.

(1) Turn left onto the cycle path that runs alongside the D940, and continue along this route to Fort Risban.

(17) Turn right, cross the bridge and head towards the Watchtower. Turn left onto Rue de la Paix, go round Place de Rheims on the right, and continue right onto Rue de Croy. Then carry on straight ahead until you reach the junction of Rue d’Ostande and Rue de Moscou (S/E).

(S/E) to (1) fairly flat and through town.
(1) to (5) mostly flat, followed by a good climb towards the end.
(5) to (6) end of the previous climb, followed by a long descent towards Haute Escalles.
(6) to (7) a short climb followed by a descent to Tape Cul.
(7) to (10) a climb after the Tape Cul and then a long descent towards the Mine d'Or.
(10) to (11) fairly flat between the two points.
(11) to (12) the steepest climb on a fairly challenging farm track.
(12) to (S/E) climbs, descents and flat sections, nothing too difficult.

Magnificent views of the sea and Cap Blanc-Nez and an exceptional panorama.