Cassel walks

A walk that will allow you to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Flanders as you descend north of Mont-Cassel.Admittedly, there are long stretches of tarmac, but these are not busy roads.

Circular starting from Sainte-Marie-Cappel, passing through Cassel and Oxelaëre.

A route through the fields following the course of the Peene’s sources, starting from Sainte-Marie-Cappel, with Mont Cassel and Mont des Récollets as a backdrop. Passing by one of the two documented sources of the Peene or Peene Becque.

This route alternates between small roads and paths. Explore Cassel via the Chemin des Remparts and enjoy a bite to eat as we’re two-thirds of the way through the walk. After Cassel, we follow a series of paths to reach Terdeghem.

Arnèke is a village of 1,600 inhabitants not far from Cassel. You'll discover beautiful views of Cassel and Mont des Récollets, as well as the church of Zegerscappel.

Hike starting from Arneke and passing by the Plaine au Bois Memorial. This memorial commemorates the atrocities that took place in May 1940 during Operation Dynamo. This hike includes paths and small roads with little traffic.

A lovely circular route, culminating in the (private) Château d’Esquelbecq and its gardens; the whole site is open to visitors during the season (€5 in 2020).

Starting from the path to Paradis, in the shade of the hawthorn hedges, come and discover the large wet pastures, the Booenghem marsh and the nature barn. Then cross the Bachelin marshes and peat bogs before following the magnificent path that runs alongside the River Booneghem through the small marsh. This circular route mainly follows paths.

After passing through Mont des Cats, you head back down to Boeschepe before a short detour into Belgium near Poperinge. As a bonus, there’s a ‘short’ circular route through the Helleketelbos nature reserve – just for the fun of getting your boots muddy.

A very long route on and around Mont des Cats, allowing you to explore its southern section. I’ve tried to take as many paths as possible, resulting in a very winding route (hence the name of the walk). Take care on the small roads where visibility isn’t always very good.

Walk around the Mont des Cats monastery. Peaceful, natural surroundings and panoramic views guaranteed.

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.

This route is divided between marshland, bocage and forest. It crosses Flanders before returning to the Audomarois region. In the first part of this itinerary, walkers will see street names in Flemish. This is a signposted trail of the Communauté d'Agglomération du Pays de Saint-Omer.

A walk that combines crossing the Clairmarais market garden marsh with the Romelaëre Nature Reserve.Lots of birdwatching: ash herons, coots, storks... And the star attraction of this walk: crossing the canals on the chain ferries, which will appeal to young and old alike!Please note: chain ferries and drawbridges only operate from March 15 to September 5.

Short walk in the Flamingue woods and along the Canal de la Nieppe.

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.

The Sentier des Fontinettes invites you to discover the often overlooked natural riches of Arques: from the Étang de Beauséjour to the Étang de Malhôve, via the Forêt de Rihoult (forest) and the canal towpath, not forgetting the nautical base and boat lift.

This route will take you through several different types of landscape: the Plateau des Landes regional nature reserve, the plain and the Neuffossé Canal. The latter separates the Pas-de-Calais department from the Nord department. It is a marked trail maintained by the Pays de Saint-Omer Urban Community.

Starting from the typical Auberge du Vermont, a route through the plains of Flanders at the foot of Mont des Cats and its monastery. Pass by the Moulin de l'Ingratitude and the Vierpot estaminet. Pass through the Boeschepe and Kokereel hills. View of Belgium, Bailleul.

This route will allow you to discover the diversity of water in Wittes and Aire-sur-la-Lys. In Wittes, you will find the Melde, a tributary of the Lys. In Aire-sur-la-Lys, you will walk along the Lys, the Bassin des Quatre-Faces, the Ballastière ponds and the Canal de Neuffossé. This is a signposted trail maintained by the Communauté d'Agglomération du Pays de Saint-Omer.

This hike crosses Flanders on both sides of the French-Belgian border via tiny paths. And, to gain a little more height, you can try out an unusual means of transport that has been connecting Mont Noir and Mont Rouge since 1958!This hike is accessible to everyone, young and old alike, with a slight incline to warm up your calves!

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 tour will introduce you to three different settings: the Domaniale de Nieppe forest, the wooded countryside and the Lys river.

The forest edge, the canal banks and the agricultural plain give the trail its contrasting moods. Keep your eyes peeled for birds in the undergrowth, insects on leaves and trees, and the mushrooms that grow here in late spring.

The town of Aire-sur-la-Lys is crossed by the Lys river. It is bordered by the Neuffossé Canal, which takes the name Canal d'Aire at La Bassée, from this town onwards. The Bassin des Quatre Faces (Four Faces Basin) once allowed boats to turn around and sail in the desired direction: towards the town, the Lys, the canal towards Saint-Omer or Béthune. It is a signposted trail in the Pays de Saint-Omer urban community.

Immortalised by the film "Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis", the small town of Bergues is much more than just a film set. Bergues is a small fortified town: its ramparts, over 5 km long, date back to medieval times or were built according to Vauban's plans. Bergues also stands out for its remarkable monuments, such as its belfry, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, and the remains of Saint-Winoc Abbey.

An easy route in the heart of the city of Vauban and Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis.

Bergues, the capital of the North since the film "Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis", invites you to discover its unique fortified complex dating from the 13th to the 19th century via an easy heritage walk.

During this walk, you will discover the Lys valley. On the way back, you will follow the course of the Lys before it is channelled in the eastern part of Aire. This is a signposted trail maintained by the Pays de Saint-Omer Urban Community.

As part of the Parcours du Cœur 2026, the CCAS in Bierne offers an 11 km walking route. The walk starts at the Bierne Multi-Activity Hall. You will take the Route des 7 Planètes and follow the towpath alongside the Colme. Heading towards Bergues, the route will take you to the Foyer Socio Éducatif. Then, walking along the ramparts, you will return to Bierne via the greenway.

As part of the Parcours du Cœur 2026, the CCAS in Bierne offers a 5 km walking route. Starting from the Bierne Multi-Activity Hall, you will take the Route des Sept Planètes and walk alongside the Colme, following the towpath. You will return to the starting point via the Voie Douce.

As part of the Parcours du Coeur 2023, the CCAS France Services de Bergues offers a 15 km walking route. You will walk around the ramparts of the town of Bergues, then follow the Canal de Bergues; after crossing the Bois des Forts, you will return to your starting point: the Foyer Socio Éducatif.

A pleasant and very easy hike around Le Bietz. You will pass through two hamlets in Aire-sur-la-Lys before returning to Moulin le Comte, following the Lys at the end of the route.

This route follows the path known as the Bruveau d’Aire-sur-la-Lys, with a few variations. It takes you to the Church of Saint-Vaast in Mametz via the Glomenghem marshes, then back to the hamlet of Moulin-le-Comte via the Chemin de Fauquenthun in the hamlet of Rincq.

Departure from the car park of Sint-Sixtus Abbey in Westvleteren. Pass through the Dozinghembos, along anunpaved path in the Dozinghembos and partly between fields. Then into the forest that is part of the Sixtusbossen.Following this route, you will encounter several beautiful forests in this part of the province of West Flanders. You will also enjoy wide views of the agricultural landscape.

Thirty-seventh stage from the Jura to Hauts-de-France, via the Francigena. This flat stage follows the waterways as you explore Maritime Flanders and the network of waterways that criss-cross the landscape. You walk alongside the Canaux de la Haute Colme and the Canal de Bourbourg before reaching the outskirts of Dunkirk. After passing through Saint-Pol-sur-Mer, you discover the city of Dunkirk. France’s third-largest port, here you don’t need to have your sea legs to set off and discover the history of the Iceland fishermen, walk in the footsteps of the famous privateer Jean Bart, or simply stroll around the Place du Mynck, through the marinas or along the Malo-les-Bains seafront.

Leave Ecques via the same route, then take a long, flat walk through the fields to reach Heuringhem. Continue across the moors of Blendecques, Rietz de l'Église and Bibrou before reaching Quiestède via Les Bruyères. Return via the Bois d'Ecques. The route is relatively flat, but there are a few wet areas (more depending on the weather). During hunting season, avoid Sundays, as some communal woods are rented to hunting clubs! Route modified and improved in September 2024 to avoid the D 190.

Here is a short walk that will take you along the Lawe and then through the flower-filled Les Près de la Ville park.

A short 6 km walk to explore the Étangs de la Sauvagine in Mametz and the Étangs de Rebecques.

Walk starting from the square in front of Saint Maurice Church in Molinghem. Located in the countryside between Isbergues, Lambres, Mazinghem and Molinghem. In the Moulin plain and along the Lambres marsh.

This route will allow you to explore the countryside north of Béthune and enjoy the canals via the towpaths.

Set off to explore the public gardens and the River Lys.

Walk starting from the Jean-Paul II Parish, around Les Magots.

Discover the paths and small country roads starting from the hamlet of La Fosse. You will follow and cross the Lawe several times. You can admire magnificent willow trees, gigantic in the middle of their pastures. Several information panels on the history of the area line the route: Pont Riqueult, cemetery, park, village centre, along the Lawe, Pont de la Fosse. Take the time to read them.