(S/E) Start from Wismes Stadium. Head south-east along Rue du Stade until you reach a junction.
(1) At the junction, take the correct path on the left. At the T-junction, turn left and walk for about 100 metres.
(2) Turn right and, at the three-way junction, continue straight ahead for about 500m.
(3) Turn right onto the first path, which climbs slightly. At the top, continue left along the straight path through the fields. A good kilometre further on, you’ll reach a small road; follow it straight ahead until the right-hand bend.
(4) Continue along the path straight ahead to reach a small road. Follow it for a few metres to the left.
(5) Turn onto the wide path on the left.
(6) Near a valley, turn right in the middle of a pasture (when I passed through in early September 2019, there were mountain bike trail markings: E and orange arrows). 300m further on, make the first turn right then left to continue through the middle of the pasture (this differs slightly from the IGN map). You will eventually reach a good path; follow it to the road.
(7) Follow it to the left towards Wavrans-sur-l'Aa. At the T-junction, turn right and then immediately left into La Ruelle to reach the D192. Follow it for a few metres to the right.
(8) Turn left into Rue de la Halte and follow it to the bridge over the Aa.
(9) Cross the Aa and continue straight on to the end of the street to arrive facing the hillside.
(10) Turn left, walk past the cave (gate), go through the first barrier and reach a barrier on the right.
(11) Go through it to climb Montagne d'Elnes (stairs or path, your choice, but it’s steep!). This section is difficult to describe, but the path is clearly marked. Go through asecond barrier and shortly afterwards (past a beautiful solitary tree), head up to the right to reach another barrier (be careful).
(12) Go through the gate and head right along the edge of the field. A few metres further on, climb slightly to reach another field. Follow it on the left (this section is signposted in the opposite direction, so it’s permitted) and join a good grassy path that leads to a small road.
(13) Follow the road uphill to the right. Shortly after the top, you’ll reach a junction.
(14) Turn right for a few metres, then immediately turn left onto a grassy path. It passes through the middle of a copse, then disappears * and turns into a narrow track. Keep going in the same direction to cross a pasture, then a cultivated field (maize in August 2021: the path is clear but very muddy!). You’ll soon reach a good track and follow it to a reservoir.
- If you encounter any problems, go back and turn left towards the "Buisson Chaud" (see IGN). At the junction, turn left and head down the main path to reach the point (16). It’s a bit less pleasant, but perhaps safer.
(15) Take the path that runs to the left of the reservoir. It first turns left then right and joins a narrow lane. Reach a larger road and follow it to the left (towards the railway line). Ignore the path that branches off sharply to the right.
(16) Just before reaching the railway line, turn right. At the corner of the cemetery, turn right onto theGR®. A wide path leads to the Bois de Rebecques. Cross the woods, staying on the main path (very pleasant) with fairly discreetGR® markings. You’ll reach a T-junction.
(17) Turn left and reach a crossroads.
(18) Turn right (leaving theGR®) and begin the descent towards the valley. Turn right onto the first path, then quickly left to head steeply downhill.
(19) Do not miss the path branching off to the right at the farm (there are usually markings on the ground). Atthe first junction, continue straight on and reach a T-junction. Then turn left to cross the Aa (the route taken on the way there).
(9) Turn right after the bridge, then immediately left into Rue de l’Église, which you follow to the D192.
(20) Follow it for a few metres to the left, then turn right onto Rue de Wilbedingues for about 300m.
(21) At the three-way junction, take the path on the right. A lovely path that climbs gently along the edge of the woods. When you reach a wide path, turn left and continue along the grassy track. You will eventually reach a T-junction.
(22) Turn left onto the small road and, after a short climb, you’ll reach a T-junction. Turn right and walk a few metres.
(23) Follow the correct path to the right, which leads, 2 km further on, to a T-junction.
(24) Turn left; 300 metres further on, turn right and reach another T-junction.
(25) Continue to the right towards the hamlet of Forestel. Reach a small road and follow it to the left for about 200m.
(26) At the three-way junction, take the path on the right. Initially very wide, it narrows as it passes through a small wood (a section that can be quite difficult at times) and then widens out again. At the junction (before the power line), continue straight on to reach the junction you passed on the way out.
(1) Head straight ahead to reach the stadium (S/E).
. It took us 7 hours, including various breaks and a picnic, so probably 6 hours of walking. Watch out for ticks and mosquitoes at this time of year, particularly in the Bois d’Esquerdes.