Tour of the 3 bell towers in the heart of Flanders

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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.

Technical sheet

n°1231818
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.88 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 2 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 2 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 18 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 15 m
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Photos

Path through the fields
Marina
Boat in port
Towpath

Description of the walk

Start from Église Saint-Vincent (car park).

(S/E) Head south-west and follow the dirt track alongside the stream (on the left). Cross the stream and emerge on the banks of the Lys.

Follow the towpath to the left. Continue along the Lys until you reach the Haverskerque water sports centre, which you should pass to the left.

(2) Turn left into a cobbled lane. Ignore Rue du Moulin on the left and cross the D916 with caution. Continue along Rue Basse. Go straight ahead, ignoring the side exits.

(3) At the crossroads, turn left into Rue du Moulin de Corbie. Cross the D122 and continue straight on Rue de la Clochette until you reach the forest.

(4) Turn right, then immediately left to enter the Bois Moyen. Stay on the forest edge for approx. 1.5km, passing over small bridges, before reaching a tarmac road.

(5) Follow the road to the right (Rue Verte). After about 250m, when the road bends to the right, continue left on a country lane at the edge of the forest. Turn right to enter the woods and immediately come to a crossroads.

(6) Turn left and take the path along the edge of the Bois d'Amont.

(7) Carefully cross the D916 and continue straight ahead, still on the edge of the national forest.

(8) Exit the forest and continue straight ahead. At the Notre-Dame de Grâce oratory, turn right into Rue de Tannay.

(9) After a few hundred metres, turn left into Rue de la Goguerie. Follow this street to Église Saint-Vincent (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 17 m - Saint-Vincent Church
  2. 1 : km 0.32 - alt. 17 m - Towpath of the - Lys (rivière canalisée)
  3. 2 : km 2.32 - alt. 16 m - Haverskerque water sports centre
  4. 3 : km 4.23 - alt. 16 m - Rue du Moulin de Corbie crossroads
  5. 4 : km 5.25 - alt. 17 m - Nieppe National Forest
  6. 5 : km 6.88 - alt. 17 m - Rue Verte crossroads
  7. 6 : km 8.35 - alt. 17 m - Spruce
  8. 7 : km 8.92 - alt. 18 m - Crossing the D916
  9. 8 : km 9.65 - alt. 17 m - Exit from the forest
  10. 9 : km 9.95 - alt. 17 m - Rue de la Goguerie
  11. S/E : km 10.88 - alt. 17 m - Saint-Vincent Church

Practical information

You can park your car at the Église Saint-Vincent car park. You'll also find plenty to eat in the town centre.

In the nearby area

The forest offers its share of smells, light and colors in every season.

Enjoy the peace and quiet of the towpath along the Lys.

The Flandre Lys nautical base offers sports and leisure activities in an exceptional natural setting.
Its harbour welcomes yachtsmen in a relaxing setting.
The site is ideal for activities and outings with family or friends.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 17 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Charline MEURANT
Charline MEURANT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Beautiful circuit

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Sarasvati_
Sarasvati_
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Very pleasant walk with sections along the Lys and on the edge of the forest.
I'd definitely come back in the summer!

Important points:
- Beware of the hunting season (especially in the Nieppe forest)
- The paths are very slippery after rain or early in the morning in wet weather.

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L'orée
L'orée

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

The hike and the scenery were incredible. It was a breath of fresh air. At daybreak, we didn't see a soul. That said, when we got to point 2, we were worried that the gates to the marina might be closed. Does anyone know if the gates are open 24 hours a day?

Another very important point: pay attention to the hunting season! From point 4 to point 8, the forests are officially open to hunting. We were very frightened when we heard a pack of dogs and a shot fired. We didn't find out until afterwards that hunting was open until the end of March.
Otherwise, and as I said in another comment: watch out for the mud. Bring another pair of shoes and even socks.

I'd go back outside the hunting season because the tour is really worth it.

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jeom5670
jeom5670

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

nice walk, point 4 needs better signposting, the right-left is not obvious! we walked along the field side of the wood instead of going in, so we retraced our steps. The description mentions small bridges, but they don't seem to exist any more!

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chopinvirgin
chopinvirgin

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

pleasant trail, but signposting needs to be revised because of lack of information

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Sayard
Sayard

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Magnificent and very pleasant walk!

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Veg
Veg

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 22, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant walk (despite a short section on the road) because it's varied and not too difficult: completed in 2 hours 15 minutes.
Beware of the mud in the forest section at this time of year.

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colette and jjacques
colette and jjacques

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 04, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Nice walk, varied ... towpath, fields, forest ... to do

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HDF
HDF

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 01, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

On a sunny day, the first section along the towpath was magnificent. After the water sports centre, the route along the road is a little long. This is followed by a very pleasant wooded section. I recommend this route.

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phorreîn
phorreîn

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant route, despite a slightly long section on tarmac.
Don't forget to bring a drink, even for your dog, as there's nothing on the way.

At the boat stop, "Les terrasses du port" welcomes you, by reservation only.

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RandoCOL59
RandoCOL59
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 22, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

super
mix of towpaths, countryside and forest
will keep a good memory of it and recommends it

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olisadebdew
olisadebdew

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 06, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

very nice walk! Picnic possible at the port.

can be done by bike!

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JM59
JM59

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 23, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very pleasant route, with the highlight being the presence of a beautiful nautical base, quite unexpected in this location. A few muddy stretches on the edge of the forest. Bring a change of shoes at the end of the route if the weather is wet.

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papillon coloré
papillon coloré

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 13, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

nice hike starting along the Lys very pleasant a little walk in the plain then cool in the forest of Nieppe in hot weather it's good in 2h 20 it's done

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bifoul
bifoul

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 13, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very nice, but a pedestrian crossing is missing at the exit of the water sports centre to cross the main road.

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