Éperlecques walks

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.

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

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

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

This trail takes you through a wooded landscape at the edge of the Artois hills, interspersed with canals and watergangs. The varied relief offers a unique panorama, a superb walk with a breathtaking view.

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…

A lovely walk through woods and hedged farmland to the pretty Chapelle Saint-Louis. It's a signposted trail run by the Communauté d'Agglomération du Pays de Saint-Omer.

During this route, walkers will pass through the Tournehem National Forest, which covers 988 hectares. They will see old windmills and the Hem valley.This is a signposted trail maintained by the Pays de Saint-Omer Urban Community.

South of Audruicq, discover Brédenarde, a land of hedgerows, hedges and fruit trees. Starting from Zutkerque or Polincove, take the Dame aux Loups trail, named in honour of Baroness de Draëck. You can admire her castle, the first hills of Artois and follow the winding course of the Hem, the river of mills.

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.

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.

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.

This path takes you to one of the four villages of the Pays du Brédenarde, Nortkerque, which can be translated as ‘church of the North’. Geologically, the former Pays du Brédenarde consists of a layer of clay resting on chalk that overlooks the coastal plain. It is a landscape of hedgerows, fruit trees and livestock farming. In the past, the Brédenarde also included the municipalities of Audruicq, Zutkerque and Polincove. (4) Please note: the footbridge no longer exists; access is impossible until further notice (see practical information).

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

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 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 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 winding route offering superb views of the Artois heights and the Bléquin valley.

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.