Countryside around Pérenchies, Houplines and Frelinghien

Park on Rue de la Prévôté. Parking spaces are available along the houses.

(S/E) From where the verge begins on the road, take the path on the right where there is a wooden gate, roughly opposite the first gates of the Demeyere company.
The path is initially lined with trees on the left, then runs through the back of the gardens (where you’ll encounter the first animals), and continues straight on between two fields. You’ll come to a road.

(1) Turn right; do not go under the railway bridge.

(2) When you reach the main road, cross carefully at the pedestrian crossing and turn left until you reach the level crossing

(3) Just before the level crossing, turn right, between the house and the railway line.
Then continue along the path that runs alongside the railway line

(4) Continue along the path that branches off from the railway line to reach an equestrian centre, then follow the road out of the centre until you reach the junction.

(5) Turn right, heading north-east, towards L’Épinette.

(6) Stay on the road as it bends to the left.

(7) After about 850 m, take the next small road on your right.

(8) At the next junction, you will come to a house; turn right.

(9) At the brick building on your left, take the road on the left and then continue straight on along the track that runs alongside this small road, between the fields.

(10) At the end of the track, take the road on the left, then immediately turn right onto Chemin de la Chapelette.
Follow this path, which will bend to the left, then to the right (at this second bend, make sure to turn right and follow the road).

(11) Before reaching the houses (and the small chapel), take the path on the right, through the fields. Continue straight on for 3 km, during which the path will quickly become a small road: Chemin de l’Aventure, then Chemin de la Vacherie. At the junction with the main road, continue straight on: Ruelle des Bois.

(12) When you see large greenhouses on your right, take the next right (between the greenhouses): Chemin du Gras Talloir. After passing the houses, at the next junction, go straight on, taking the path between the fields. You will arrive at a green space near some houses; leave it via the exit opposite the one you entered through (marked by a stone and an anti-caravan gate). Join the main road and turn left to quickly reach the car park (S/E).

Some dirt tracks are also used by tractors and may be muddy in wet weather.
Visibility is always good; although these small country roads have no pavements, drivers are considerate and do not drive fast on these sections.
Please respect farmers’ work and property.

There is a geocache in the trees; find it using the Geocaching app.
A little further on, you may be lucky enough to spot flamingos and storks.

(1) You’ll pass the Saint-Antoine Educational Farm: birthday parties, group and school visits (no family visits available).
There is a geocache nearby

(3) After 200 m along this path, a geocache will be accessible nearby (I didn’t find it – did you?)

(4) On this little path, you’ll come to a small pond. Approach quietly; when I was there, I spotted a heron making the most of the spot (a real one this time).

You will then pass through the Haute Porte stables.

(6) Geocache nearby (micro-sized).

(8) Bonus: at the junction, instead of continuing straight ahead, take a detour to the left to find the geocache at the entrance to the ponds, then retrace your steps.

(12) Geocache nearby, and two more further on.