Tour of the 3 bell towers in the heart of Flanders

de fr

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.

Details

n°1231818
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.88 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 18 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 15 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

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

Notes

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

Worth a visit

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
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Charline MEURANT
Charline MEURANT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful circuit

Machine-translated

Sarasvati_
Sarasvati_
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : 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.

Machine-translated

L'orée
L'orée

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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.

Machine-translated

jeom5670
jeom5670

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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!

Machine-translated

chopinvirgin
chopinvirgin

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

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

Machine-translated

Sayard
Sayard

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent and very pleasant walk!

Machine-translated

Veg
Veg

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 22, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : 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.

Machine-translated

colette and jjacques
colette and jjacques

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

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

Machine-translated

HDF
HDF

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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.

Machine-translated

phorreîn
phorreîn

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : 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.

Machine-translated

RandoCOL59
RandoCOL59
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 22, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

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

Machine-translated

olisadebdew
olisadebdew

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

very nice walk! Picnic possible at the port.

can be done by bike!

Machine-translated

JM59
JM59

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 23, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ 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.

Machine-translated

papillon coloré
papillon coloré

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ 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

Machine-translated

bifoul
bifoul

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ 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.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Tannay path

Visorando member
Circuit du Tannay
↔5.87 km ↗+1 m ↘-1 m ◔1h 40 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Haverskerque (Nord)
This tour will introduce you to three different settings: the Domaniale de Nieppe forest, the wooded countryside and the Lys river.

Walking Between Lys and the Canal

Local authority
↔10.68 km ↗+4 m ↘-4 m ◔3h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Aire-sur-la-Lys (Pas-de-Calais)
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.

Walking La Melde from Wittes

Local authority
↔9.57 km ↗+13 m ↘-13 m ◔2h 45 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Wittes (Pas-de-Calais)
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.

Walking Boucle de Lestrem par le Pont Riqueult

Visorando member
Boucle de Lestrem par le Pont Riqueult
↔11.49 km ↗+3 m ↘-3 m ◔3h 15 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Lestrem (Pas-de-Calais)
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.

Walking Le Chemin des Voyettes Poulouches

Visorando member
Le Chemin des Voyettes Poulouches
↔4.86 km ↗+6 m ↘-6 m ◔1h 25 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Allouagne (Pas-de-Calais)
The Chemin des Voyettes Poulouches, which you will take, will lead you from one voyette (small lane) to another and allow you to discover or rediscover our village.

Walking Two woods, a slag heap and a charterhouse to digest it all

Visorando member
↔24.04 km ↗+225 m ↘-224 m ◔7h 30 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Labeuvrière (Pas-de-Calais)
Up to the entrance to the Bois des Dames, the route is much the same as this hike (there aren't many options in the Bois de Roquelaure), but I took other paths to cross the Bois des Dames. The end of the route passes behind Emmaüs before reaching the Chartreuse des Dames and joining the Bois des Sablières.It's long, winding, almost entirely unpaved and with a significant elevation gain. Very difficult in wet weather.The use ofthe Visorando app is strongly recommended.

Walking Woods, footpaths and mining heritage around Lapugnoy

Visorando member
Bois, voyettes et patrimoine minier autour de Lapugnoy
↔22.07 km ↗+154 m ↘-155 m ◔6h 45 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Lapugnoy (Pas-de-Calais)
Long route through the Bois de Roquelaure, the Poulouches d'Allouagne and the Vallée Carreau d'Auchel. Return via Lozinghem and Mont Éventé before finishing at the Terril de Lapugnoy and a beautiful path on the edge of the Bois des Dames.Relatively little tarmac (but we are still in an urban area), but in wet weather, some paths can become difficult.

Walking Hugo Trail in Racquinghem

Local authority
↔10.51 km ↗+60 m ↘-57 m ◔3h 10 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Racquinghem (Pas-de-Calais)
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.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.