Clairmarais walks

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.

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.

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.

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 is a route through the heart of the Audomarois marshes along a marked trail maintained by the Pays de Saint-Omer Urban Community.

Houses, each with its own dock and boat moored on the Lansberg. People fishing practically from their homes. Cottages, each more beautiful than the last. Little market gardeners' boats loaded with crates of vegetables heading off to who knows where.Truly, the passage along the Lansberg will delight you with its beauty.You'll find a tranquil, picturesque feel that's rare in the region.

Discover the waterways of the Audomarois, a beautiful area of Hauts-de-France.

A short walk around the La Coupole blockhouse, where forest and magnificent ponds come together.

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.

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.

The Wavrans-sur-l'Aa nature reserve consists of two hillsides separated by a dry valley, Mont Carrière and Montagne d'Elnes. The chalky slopes of the reserve are steep and unusual for the region. They were also "sculpted" by the bombs of the Second World War.

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.

A pleasant route, with the possibility of a pleasant break at the beautiful Quelmes café.

Stroll along the hedgerows surrounding the orchards, discover the Chinese cemetery and the typical farms built of yellow or red brick or stone, a reminder that we are indeed at the confluence of Flanders and Artois. Then, let yourself be haunted by the ghost of the Aa, which lurks along the waterways…

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.

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

This place is so beautiful that it deserves a second route.Another good climb with 2 nice climbs and a maximum of paths and trails. Difficult in dry weather and very difficult in wet weather.

Another long route to explore the Ravin de Pihem (the upper section of which is (temporarily?) impassable). You’ll also take a superb path at a place called “Les Champs d’Avroult” before popping over to have a look at the old quarries at Cléty. An easy hike that can be split into two sections.

Another long route in this magnificent region.The double crossing of the Bois d’Esquerdes is very pleasant, even if wildlife seems scarce there.Discover the Cartoucherie site.

Another route around the Coteau d’Elnes with very little tarmac. Crossing the Bois d’Esquerdes is even more enjoyable, and the long walk along the riverbank is most pleasant. Finally, the section through the hillside, especially in fine weather, is a real delight (even if it is a bit of a struggle!)

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.