Route des Écoliers in Merck-St-Liévin

The start is at the church: 27, Rue de l’Église. There are a few parking spaces. For groups, it is advisable to park at the community hall (2, Rue de Thiembronne) near the town hall: the route passes through this car park.

(S/E) From the starting sign, turn right. After the church, keep to the right. Continue along the path that runs alongside the street and climb the hill carefully to reach the plateau.

(1) Turn right. At the junction, go straight on. At the crossroads, turn right, then right again onto the path leading down towards the Aa valley. At the bottom, turn right to reach 24, Rue de l’Église.

(2) Take the path on the left to cross the stream. Cross the bridge. At the junction, turn left. Then turn right onto Rue de la Gare until you reach Rue Principale.

(3) Turn left. Carry on straight ahead and cross the main road to reach the community hall. Then, turn right onto the grassy path. At the next junction, turn right. Cross two roads and carry on straight ahead at the third, then follow the path that continues from there. You will then come to a junction; carry on straight ahead and follow the path to reach the road.

(4) Turn left. When you reach the bridge, turn right to reach a four-way junction. Turn right, then right again, and continue until you reach 23 Rue d’Avroult, in Méloyer.

(5) Turn left, then immediately right onto a grassy path. At the end, turn right, then immediately left. Turn right onto the road. At the junction, turn left onto Rue de l’Église.

(3) Continue straight ahead along this street to return to the starting point (S/E).

The route begins with a narrow, steep path (gradient of 10 to over 15 per cent) which is slippery in wet weather. The start of the route is challenging, which explains why this signposted trail is classified as ‘moderate’. It is possible to avoid this climb, but the route is 5.5 km long if the walker follows the signposts. You must head straight for the ‘2 ’ (from the start sign, turn left, then turn right onto the dirt track to cross the stream).

There are many places of interest to visit in the Audomarois region. For further information, please visit the website ofthe Pays de Saint-Omer Tourist and Convention Bureau.