From Wismes to the Bois d'Esquerdes via the Montagne d'Elnes

A long route with very little tarmac and a superb climb.
There are also a few long straight stretches through the fields that will delight many!

Late July 2020:
- the section between points 6 and 7 is in excellent condition.
- at point 13, after the copse, you cross a maize field for about fifty metres (the path is clearly marked) before finding the track.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 25.58 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 8h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 320 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 314 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 158 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 44 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Wismes (62380)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 50.653481° / E 2.076098°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2204E, 2304O
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Description of the walk

(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).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 151 m - Wismes Stadium
  2. 1 : km 0.24 - alt. 156 m - Crossroads after the stadium
  3. 2 : km 1.47 - alt. 132 m - Turn right before reaching the hamlet
  4. 3 : km 2.21 - alt. 126 m - Path leading uphill to the right
  5. 4 : km 3.7 - alt. 109 m - Leave the small road
  6. 5 : km 4.27 - alt. 98 m - Leave the road and take the path on the left
  7. 6 : km 4.95 - alt. 66 m - On the right in the middle of the pasture
  8. 7 : km 6.34 - alt. 62 m - Turn left onto a small road
  9. 8 : km 6.75 - alt. 50 m - Leave the D192
  10. 9 : km 7.19 - alt. 49 m - Bridge over the - Aa (fleuve)
  11. 10 : km 7.38 - alt. 51 m - End of the road, facing the hillside
  12. 11 : km 7.68 - alt. 55 m - Wooden barrier (to be lifted)
  13. 12 : km 8.12 - alt. 117 m - 3rd barrier
  14. 13 : km 8.45 - alt. 120 m - T-junction, turn right
  15. 14 : km 9.03 - alt. 139 m - Crossroads at the summit
  16. 15 : km 11.28 - alt. 86 m - Reservoir
  17. 16 : km 11.89 - alt. 44 m - Before the railway line
  18. 17 : km 13.63 - alt. 105 m - T-junction in the woods
  19. 18 : km 14.24 - alt. 128 m - Crossroads, turn right
  20. 19 : km 15.79 - alt. 50 m - Path on the right between the buildings
  21. 20 : km 17.52 - alt. 52 m - Junction with the D192
  22. 21 : km 17.79 - alt. 58 m - Three-way junction, to the right
  23. 22 : km 19.18 - alt. 68 m - T-junction
  24. 23 : km 19.83 - alt. 114 m - Turn right onto the wide path
  25. 24 : km 21.47 - alt. 131 m - T-junction
  26. 25 : km 22.63 - alt. 135 m - T-junction
  27. 26 : km 23.09 - alt. 124 m - Three-way junction, on the right along the path
  28. S/E : km 25.58 - alt. 151 m - Wismes Stadium

Notes

September 2019: I have changed the starting point, which further reduces the amount of tarmac.
The open countryside sections, between (6) and (7) and between (14) and (15), can be tackled with ease but may be more challenging from June to August.

Good equipment is essential.

This walk can easily be split into two routes of moderate difficulty starting from Wavrans-sur-l'Aa: You can park near the bridge.

Café (perhaps even a hikers’ pub), Rue de la Halte in Wavrans-sur-l'Aa. 03 21 38 18 70

Worth a visit

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.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
joorange
joorange

Thank you for this comment, which, if I’m to believe Google Translate, is quite flattering.

In the same area, there is a walk called ‘Return to the Elnes hillside’ which is also very pleasant.

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Pierre Bourré
Pierre Bourré

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I recently completed this route. I really enjoyed this lovely walk, particularly the section in Wavrans-sur-l’Aa along the riverbank and then the surprisingly steep climb up the Montagne d’Elnes. I’d printed out the route description and had no particular difficulty following the route: the directions were clear. Only crossing a ‘wild’ pasture threw me off course for a moment. Thanks to Joorange for suggesting it ;-D

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vanhullebusch
vanhullebusch

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This walk deserves a 10 out of 10.
My walking companion was also full of praise.
Huge congratulations to the organisers.
I’ll be looking out for more walks.

:

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Avancer, toujours avancer
Avancer, toujours avancer

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Point 6: open field, pasture – it’s up to you to decide which way to go, but in any case, follow the edge and you’ll reach the gate.
Between 9 and 10, after crossing the AA facing the hillside, there is a small path on the right just before the one described in the itinerary, and this changes everything; SO TAKE THE PATH THAT TURNS AFTER THAT; If, like us, you take the first one, it changes everything;. You’ll find a gate on your right, a small flight of steps, and rejoin the path, which you follow to the left for 50 metres to reach the gate at the bottom of the steps leading up to Montagne d’Elnes on your left. Once you reach the top at point 11, after passing through the second gate, allow at least 200 metres to find this beautiful isolated tree, which isn’t actually that isolated anymore (due to vegetation), to reach the gate at point 12, which is perched above, with no sign of a recent path at the edge of the field. In fact, we went up and down the hill, only to climb it again from the right spot

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Elodie62380
Elodie62380

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you very much for this trail; we had a lovely day. With the directions and the map, it was spot on. The section through the hills of L’Elnes is absolutely brilliant. Beautiful stretches and scenery, especially as I’d already done all the marked routes in the area. This is a really lovely combination of routes – one to do again
I can confirm: the route has very little tarmac, so it’s quite demanding on the feet . 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.
Tip: In hot weather, you can top up your water supplies at the church in Wavrans

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joorange
joorange

I took the opportunity to give the walk a bit of a revamp: a new starting point and some extra details in the description.

Have a good evening

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joorange
joorange

I went back to the area this Sunday, and there were a few heavy showers!
And, luckily, it was the day of the Elnes walking and mountain biking event.
The route for this event follows the path marked point 6, so that shouldn’t be a problem.
The field you cross is actually a pasture, so there’s a risk of quite tall grass in early summer (but I think you should be able to follow the tracks left by the tractors… To be checked next year).

It should be relatively quiet on this route until spring.

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Netra
Netra ★

Thank you, joorange, for your prompt response and your answers!

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joorange
joorange

Point 12: We are on the signposted Juniper Trail (heading in the opposite direction, and the route connects with the main path). So there’s no problem as long as we stay right at the edge of the field.

Point 16: The path is regularly ploughed, but this is common in the area. I was there recently; it was lovely. I think it might be a problem in spring or summer, but I’ve already suggested an alternative route.

Point 6: This seems to me to be the only real problem. When I went there last year, I followed the markings for a Sunday mountain bike route. I’ll be going back there soon, and if it really is a problem, I’ll change the route.

Best regards

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Netra
Netra ★

Hello,

@ joorange: it would be good to make sure that routes along the edge of fields or across fields are permitted

Alternatively, we should suggest alternative routes.

Thank you in advance for clarifying the situation.

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Rando59223
Rando59223

A lovely hike on 31 August 2019.
I can confirm the difficulties at points 6, 12 and 14.
Point 6: you really do have to cross fields with no path. I was worried I might run into the farmer.
Point 12: I took a detour to avoid entering a cultivated field, as the farmer was present.
Point 14: the path was marked but it crosses cultivated fields where the harvest had been completed.
This raises the issue of crossing private property.
Between points 16 and 17, the route through the Bois d’Esquerdes follows a superb path.

Reliability of the description: Good
Accuracy of the route on the map: Very good
Interest of the route: very good. A must-do hike!!

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joorange
joorange

It really was the perfect day for this hike!

It’s true that the route at point 6 is quite surprising. A few years ago, there was a proper path that matched the route on the IGN map. But you can get through it without too much trouble.

After the last gate on the moor (point 12), it’s quite difficult to describe and I still find myself hesitating there. I’ll try to draw a sketch to include in the hike photos.

Between points 14 and 15, when I passed through in September, the trail was quite clear. However, after ploughing, it’s undoubtedly less obvious (but that adds a bit of spice!). I’ll suggest an alternative route to take in case of major difficulties.

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riquita
riquita

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 15, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely route enjoyed under a beautiful, warm autumn sun! There’s a lovely variety of scenery: a mix of narrow paths through meadows dotted with cows and tracks running through the fields on the plateau, offering stunning, unobstructed views. We set off from Esquerdes (closer to home) but followed the same route. We encountered a few issues with the route at point 6, feeling as though we were crossing private property, but also, and more significantly, after Wavrans-sur-l’Aa: after passing through the three gates without any trouble (point 12), we found ourselves in a field with no landmarks; similarly, between points 14 and 15, there was no path, so we had to cut across the fields to find our way back on track. In mid-October, the fields had been worked and sown, leaving no trace of paths in some places. We used the Visa Rando map on our phone to find our way.
Well done to you, Mr Joorange, for this lovely hike completed in 7 hours 20 minutes, including the moments of hesitation and refreshment stops!

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