Cimetière Britannique (Saint-Jans-Cappel) walks

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.

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 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!

Return to Mont Rouge, passing through the Bois du Mont Noir. Enjoy a beautiful stroll through the woods, ending with a superb (and challenging) staircase. Be careful, as soon as it gets a little wet, the paths become very difficult and you can sometimes find yourself with mud up to your mid-shoes. This was the case this morning (19 November 2021).

A patchwork of different routes in the area for a long hike that will delight your thighs.As for the mountains, like the Musketeers, there are four (or even five, I forgot the Baneberg near the mill), as you climb Mont Noir twice.In short, a nice climb in the Flat Country on numerous paths and a few small, quiet roads. It's a demanding route, because even between the mountains, there are plenty of small hills. But, as is often the case in Belgium, the trails are well maintained and constantly being improved.

A long route around Bailleul, the only real challenge of which (especially in dry weather) is its length.After reaching Saint-Jans-Cappel via a farm track, you tackle Mont Noir (and it puts up a good fight!). You then set off along a route running along the border to reach the vicinity of Dranouter.A lovely descent through the fields, followed by a succession of paths and small roads, brings you to the Botanical Conservatory. All that remains is to make your way back to Bailleul, alternating between very narrow roads with badly damaged surfaces and footpaths. A lovely green space (the Bellekindt) allows you to bypass the cemetery, and the walk ends in the centre of Bailleul with its monuments. It’s best to choose a dry spell, otherwise you may encounter some muddy sections. This was the case this morning (5 March 2025: difficult sections at point (5), between (9) and (10), between (11) and (12), and after (23). Avoid the first weekend in August: the festival takes up part of the trails.

A circular walking route starting from Loker Church, passing through the Sulferberg, the Westouter vineyards, Marguerite Yourcenar Park, Mont Noir, the Douve Valley and the Behaegel Estate

A cycle route combining countryside and main roads, near Mont Noir for want of any other option. Patience and pedalling will see you through the climbs, which are, nevertheless, gradual, with no steep gradients.