Circular walk through the woods of Parc d'Olhain from Verdrel.

de fr

A superb little walk to do in good weather. Ideal in hot weather, this walk offers both the comfort of the forest and beautiful views, as most of the path to Parc d'Olhain runs along the edge of the forest. Views and coolness, what a joy.

Details

n°35096295
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.66 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 100 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 101 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 182 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 105 m
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Photos

Panorama - Picnic
Exit from the Verdrel undergrowth
Undergrowth at the edge of the forest
esplanade

Description of the walk

Parking is available at Place du 1er Mai in a small picturesque neighbourhood reminiscent of the working-class neighbourhoods of the 1960s and 1970s.

(S/E) Start at Rue des Pensées opposite the stadium and the small abandoned church. Arrive at the main road: Rue Jean Jaurès.

(1) Turn right until you reach the edge of the woods on your right.

(2) Turn onto the small path on the right, which climbs slightly, to enter the woods and get to the heart of the matter (undergrowth at the edge of the forest). Stay on the path closest to the edge of the forest and join the D57E3.

(3) Cross it very carefully. The road is moderately busy but has a steep descent, and vehicles sometimes get a little carried away and drive at slightly excessive speeds. It's not really dangerous, but caution is still required. Follow theGR127 - 145 -GRP®. You will arrive at a large crossroads of hiking trails.

(4) Continue along the path opposite the one you came from. You will reach the Parc d'Olhain esplanade.

(5) Ideal for a picnic, there are plenty of tables and the lawn is very well maintained.
Two tables are even located facing the panorama with a view of the 13th-century medieval castle of Ohlain (Fresnicourt le Dolmen).
Head straight ahead, away from the view, and at the end of the esplanade, enter the undergrowth at the right-hand corner of the lawn. You will find the entrance to a green tunnel.

(6) I suggest a short detour through this small tunnel of greenery, a few dozen metres long. At the end of the tunnel, turn left onto the main path.

(7) Turn right onto this path. Be careful at the end of the path, cross the main road again. Cross the car park and continue for about 600 metres to reach the edge of the village of Verdrel.

(8) Without entering the village, take the small path on the right that climbs into the woods for about 200 metres. Go around the village stadium on the left, towards the small abandoned church (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 181 m - Parking on Rue du 1er Mai.
  2. 1 : km 0.25 - alt. 177 m - Rue Jean Jaurès
  3. 2 : km 0.52 - alt. 176 m - Entrance to the undergrowth
  4. 3 : km 2.3 - alt. 105 m - Crossing the D57E3 (caution advised).
  5. 4 : km 4.05 - alt. 154 m - GR crossroads (continue on GR145)
  6. 5 : km 4.5 - alt. 176 m - Viewpoint (Olhain Castle)
  7. 6 : km 5.13 - alt. 168 m - Wooded tunnel
  8. 7 : km 5.35 - alt. 162 m - Main path, on the right
  9. 8 : km 7.31 - alt. 182 m - Wooded path leading to the stadium
  10. S/E : km 7.66 - alt. 181 m - Parking on Rue du 1er Mai.

Notes

- Please note that the paths can be very muddy.
- A few gentle slopes, but these should be taken into consideration by people with limited physical fitness.
- Ideal walk with a meal halfway along the route on the esplanade of Ohlain Park. The cafeteria is open at lunchtime: affordable prices and excellent quality.
- Refreshments are available in the cafeteria, but it closes at 6pm.

Worth a visit

- Activities at Parc d'Ohlain (the brand new tower, the highest point in Pas-de-Calais) with viewing platforms, a slide and a zip line that connects to the car park.
- The Art Deco swimming pool at the Stade Parc de Bruay la Buissère (a must-see) at a very reasonable price.
- The Louvre Lens.
- The artificial ski slope at Loisinord in Noeux-les-Mines.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 27441827

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A SMALL ERROR ON THE ROUTE

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JF59
JF59
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant route through the woods

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Vincent Lemar
Vincent Lemar

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great hike. Very detailed route with precise mapping. The paths are green and varied. Highly recommended 🙂👍

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capauri
capauri

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

a lovely, pleasant walk in warm weather

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GOLGOTE
GOLGOTE
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasure as usual, thanks to Visorando for the geolocation.

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bapfred
bapfred

Yes, there aren't many signs, but if you follow the edge of the forest along the golf course, you're unlikely to go wrong. If you follow the GPS track of the route, there's even less chance of going wrong. As for the route description, I would have liked to add more points, but Visorando only allows one point per kilometre, or a maximum of seven points. I think the most complicated junction is 1 kilometre before you reach the park, at the large crossroads, where you have to go as straight as possible.

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becasse62
becasse62
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

There is a lack of coloured signs and no distinctive markings for this walk. We got lost.

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