From Turkey to Fond Breton (in less than 10 km!)

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A short but fairly strenuous route with a steep hill and some very grassy paths.

On 12/08/2025: the start of the trail is once again very overgrown (brambles and nettles). It's passable but it's best to wear trousers or good gaiters and, of course, bring a walking stick or even a pair of secateurs.

Details

n°1125176
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.34 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 109 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 108 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 178 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 86 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Renty (62560)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 50.564661° / E 2.079408°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2205E
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Description of the walk

Start: Assonval, near the church.

(S/E) Head north on the GR®127A. Leave the tarmac immediately and take the path on the right that climbs up to the ridge. This chalky path can be quite difficult in wet weather, but it was upgraded a few years ago (unfortunately, it is not well maintained!). After a large puddle, you will reach a T-junction

(1) Turn left to reach a crossroads.

(2) Leave the GR® and take the path furthest to the left. Follow the small tarmac road that joins the D129 near Renty.

(3) Follow the D129 on the left. Ignore a road on the left and another on the right.

(4) Shortly afterwards, turn right onto a grassy path that runs alongside the Aa (hidden by hedges). We are now in Turkey! A good kilometre further on, turn left to join the D129. Follow it for a few metres on the right.

(5) Turn left along the farm to join the Sentier des Bretons. This is a beautiful grassy path that climbs slightly. After 1 km, turn right to climb up to a small road. Turn left (you are now back on the GR®127A, which will take you back to Assonval). Follow the small road on the left.

(6) After 500 m, turn left onto a wide path. Pass a crossroads: the path is now narrow and grassy (marked by two stakes). Difficult in August 2025, I went through the field on the right. You will reach a T-junction.

(7) Take the wide path on the left and follow it (north-east) to join the D129E3 near Assonval. Leave the GR® and follow it on the right for a few metres.

(8) Turn left onto a narrow path uphill and reach a T-junction.

(9) Turn left (small road) and descend to join the departmental road. Follow it to the right to reach Assonval (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 122 m - Assonval, near the church
  2. 1 : km 0.81 - alt. 178 m - T-junction
  3. 2 : km 1.11 - alt. 172 m - Take the small road on the left as you leave the GR
  4. 3 : km 2.61 - alt. 91 m - Junction with the D129
  5. 4 : km 2.89 - alt. 88 m - Grassy trail on the right, near the - Aa (fleuve)
  6. 5 : km 4.17 - alt. 97 m - Wide path on the left
  7. 6 : km 6.19 - alt. 155 m - Wide path on the left
  8. 7 : km 7.01 - alt. 161 m - T-junction
  9. 8 : km 8.19 - alt. 154 m - Junction with the D129E3
  10. 9 : km 8.74 - alt. 138 m - Turn left onto the tarmac road
  11. S/E : km 9.34 - alt. 122 m - Assonval, near the church

Notes

This is a short hike, but it can become difficult in wet weather.

Good shoes and walking stick(s) are essential as the grassy paths can be quite tricky.

There is a water source in the Assonval cemetery and two benches in the square.

This route extends the "Par monts et ... par monts" hike to 35 km.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
benoitrando
benoitrando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great route, done in the afternoon, starting with a nice climb that gets your lungs working, which I had already done in the morning. Surrounded by nature, through farmland with superb views of the rolling countryside. In the villages you pass through, you can see some beautiful religious buildings, most of which are closed for renovation.
Thank you, joorange, for this beautiful route

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remorque
remorque

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very interesting route but not very busy

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Premgun
Premgun

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb route on grassy trails for most of the way, with beautiful Artois landscapes (except for the wind turbines!).
So basic hiking gear is a must...
A little confusion at the end of 'La Turquie' to find the D129 and the start of the 'Sentier des Bretons'.
(Don't miss the (4) "..., turn left to rejoin the D129". "Then right - left")
All the trails are clear and passable.

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joorange
joorange

I hiked this trail on 25 July.

There is a big difficulty right from the start, and I have added two possible alternatives in the description.

The trail is also difficult between points 6 and 7. It's passable, but it would be more pleasant with trousers or gaiters.

These two sections are on the GR 127A! It's sad to see how poorly maintained our trails are.

I just spent a few weeks in southern Ardèche (Joyeuse region) where the paths are regularly marked and maintained (and not by volunteers!), even at high altitudes. It's disheartening to see that Pas-de-Calais isn't capable of doing the same thing.

joorange, angry hiker.

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Alain59*
Alain59*
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant hike with numerous grassy trails that climb at times. The grass can be a bit slippery, so proper hiking boots with good traction are necessary.

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