Gœulzin walks

This family trail follows the trails of the Petite Sensée, a small river at the gateway to the Douais urban area, winding through the village of Goeulzin.Easy to navigate, it can be enjoyed all year round, but in wet weather you'll need to wear waterproof footwear.

From Hamel, you can explore the marshes of the region - it's like a little Canada! You'll also discover man-made works such as the Église de l'Écluse, an unusual barge, the Canal du Nord with the Palluel lock and nature trails.

The walk begins along the Canal du Nord and then continues along country lanes. When you arrive in Oisy-le-Verger, you are immediately greeted by the horses at the riding centre. Then we weave our way through to the Bois Duquesnoy. As I can't take my dog on the municipal tidal paths, I turn off early to continue along a quiet, leafy country lane. Finally, we return along the canal to the car park. Enjoy your walk.

A leisurely walk of less than two hours on flat terrain in a natural, sparsely built-up environment. It partly follows the route of another walk I really like, but in the opposite direction, which offers a different perspective: Hamel and its marshes, a little piece of Canada

Starting from Brunémont Town Hall, this easy trail offers the chance to discover the many charms of the Sensée canals, the star river of the area. At the confluence of the Canal du Nord and the Canal de la Sensée, this walk along towpaths and paths bordering the ponds offers a pleasant and safe setting. Along the edges of the ponds, the reed beds and willow groves are home to beautiful populations of marsh ferns. Be mindful of the environment, as the Aubigny and Brunémont marshes are an important heritage site for wildlife, particularly herons, marsh warblers and grass snakes.

From Villers-au-Tertre, one of the most beautiful villages in the Douaisis region, you will pass through the grounds and past the 18th-century château of Claude Constant Juvénal d’Harville des Ursins, Marquis de Traisnel and founder of the Aniche Mining Company in 1773. On the ridge, halfway along the route, the view stretches across the Douaisis plain on one side and the Arleusis plain on the other

A hike between the canal and the Sensée marshes. Visit the old peat bogs to discover the aquatic fauna and boat activity. During the hike, you will pass through the Palluel lock. In the heart of the Sensée marshes, between the land of smoked garlic in Arleux and that of shallots in Bugnicourt.

A circular route starting through the Aubigny-au-Bac marshes and ending on country lanes.

From Fressies, let yourself be carried away by the tranquillity of a rural route, where every turn offers a new scene to admire. The paths wind through meadows and along golden fields, leading to Aubencheul-au-Bac, a small village where time seems to pass more slowly. Continuing towards Hem-Lenglet, the walk reveals authentic and soothing landscapes, dotted with silhouettes of trees and red-tiled roofs. A route that invites you to savour the moment, breathe deeply and soak up the serenity of the surroundings.

Short hike around the area developed around the Sainte-Marie slag heap.

In the heart of Pas-de-Calais, this walking route invites you to discover the peaceful countryside and authentic villages that dot the area between Épinoy and Oisy-le-Verger. Starting from Épinoy, a charming village with a rural feel, you will pass through Cauchy-Lestrée and Sauchy-Cauchy, two villages marked by history and a gentle way of life. The path winds its way through open fields, quiet lanes and bucolic landscapes, offering an ideal break for lovers of nature and local heritage. The arrival in Oisy-le-Verger, with its typical houses and welcoming atmosphere, brings this walk to a beautiful end. This route is accessible to all and perfect for recharging your batteries and rediscovering the hidden treasures of our region.

Hiking through the marshes of Biache - Saint-Vaast, Plouvain Roeux and Pelves.

Explore Bruille-les-Marchiennes, the ancient lime tree at the Muid farm (classified as a remarkable tree), then Villers Campeau (Somain) with its 17th-century ‘château’, a testament to an aristocratic residence, and finally, the Sainte-Marie slag heap in Auberchicourt, an iconic feature of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais Mining Heritage, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Argales slag heap was the largest in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais coalfield, covering 140 hectares. Its re-mining – which involved recovering the pieces of coal deposited on the slag heap along with the waste rock – led to major changes to the landscape. Due to its immense weight, the slag heap sank into the ground. The local council created a fishing pond there in 1977. Today it is an outdoor leisure area, the Parc des Argales,

Short walking route, suitable for children on two-wheeled bikes. Scooters and other similar vehicles are not permitted. Ideal for introducing children to walking and for a Sunday stroll. The only tricky bit is crossing the main road. A walk through the fields where you can admire the locally grown vegetables and discover a small, open and safe blockhouse.

In the heart of the Valenciennes region, a bucolic trail starts in Wasnes-au-Bac and connects the towns of Marquette-en-Ostrevant, Marcq-en-Ostrevent, Féchain, Hem-Lenglet and Paillencourt. The route, lined with hedgerows and rolling meadows, is perfect for strolling between villages with authentic charm and landscapes shaped by local agriculture. Accessible to all and adaptable to your pace, this route can be enjoyed in every season, from the blossoming spring to the soft hues of autumn. A few local snacks and a detailed map are all you need to fully savour this getaway, between contemplative breaks and heritage discoveries.

There is nothing monotonous about this route: you run or walk across a huge site, skirting an agricultural area here, old paths lined with sweet peas and wild blackberries there, sheltered by undergrowth or alongside a large pond. And without even noticing, you arrive at the foot of the old conical slag heap on the border between Nord and Pas-de-Calais. To reach the top, it takes a little more effort, but it's worth it because once you're at the top, the view is exceptional!

From Blécourt, follow a peaceful route through the lush landscapes of the Cambrésis region. The paths wind their way through fields and meadows, leading first to Cuvillers, where tranquillity and authenticity reign supreme, then to Bantigny, a small village with discreet charm, before reaching Abancourt and its panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Here, every step is an invitation to savour the silence of the country lanes, observe the work of the land and soak up the gentle atmosphere of the area. An ideal getaway to recharge your batteries and rediscover the simple riches of rural life.

This walk, starting from Leforest, passes around two slag heaps and along the greenway (GR® 121B). It is well shaded for the first two-thirds of the route (Phalempin National Forest). It is an ideal walk during the hot summer months; however, the paths can become muddy on rainy autumn or winter days. The route also offers a chance to admire the “ladder tree” in the Bois de l’Offlarde, which served as a German observation post during theFirst World War.

This route will first take you through the Offlarde and Phalempin forests. The landscape then becomes more lunar as you skirt around slag heap 108 and climb slag heap 122 (viewpoint over the mining basin).

This circular allows you to admire the rich natural landscapes and mining heritage of the region. During this walk in the great outdoors, you will follow "les cavaliers", the old railway tracks of the Compagnie des Mines that connected all the mine shafts and slag heaps in the region when mining was in full swing. An excursion combining nature and history, to be discovered without delay!

Starting from Sailly-lez-Cambrai, this unique route weaves a thread between two worlds: that of rural landscapes bathed in light and that of the more vibrant industrial areas where activity never sleeps. Along the way, the villages of Haynecourt, Tolloy-lez-Cambrai, Neuville-Saint-Rémy and Raillencourt-Sainte-Olle mark your route, each with its own personality, streets steeped in history and unexpected views. Between rolling fields, quiet paths and metallic silhouettes rising in the distance, this walk tells the story of the harmonious coexistence of nature and human activity. Ideal for those who love to feel the heartbeat of the region in all its dimensions, this is a journey that surprises and charms at every turn.

This hike from Moncheaux passes by the Thumeries golf course, slag heap 122, Leforest lake, and then the greenway. It is fairly shaded, especially in the first part.

Starting from the village of Bourlon , this walk invites you to discover the typical landscapes of the Cambrésis region as you make your way successively to Sains-lès-Marquion and then Marquion . With a mix of country lanes, wooded sections and unobstructed views over the plains, the route offers a varied, accessible walk full of little local gems to discover. A circular route ideal for enjoying the rural tranquillity and exploring three villages steeped in history and nature.

A walk through the countryside around Mons-en-Pévèle, the Cinq Tailles bird sanctuary, and the town of Thumeries.

From Neuville-Saint-Rémy, set off on a loop that combines city energy with the peace and quiet of the countryside. After leaving the bustling streets behind, the route takes you to Tilloy-lez-Cambrai, on the edge of the countryside, before reaching Cambrai, a city of art and history where every façade seems to tell a story of a rich and eventful past. Then head for Raillencourt-Sainte-Olle, where the landscape opens up again, offering wide horizons and striking tranquillity. Between narrow streets, monuments, green paths and industrial touches, this route reveals all the diversity and character of the area. An ideal itinerary for those who enjoy discovering contrasting and harmonious atmospheres as they walk.

From Ramillies, let your feet guide you along peaceful paths, where the fresh air and open views invite you to slow down. Very soon, Eswars appears on the horizon, a charming village surrounded by greenery, reflecting the typical tranquillity of the Cambrésis countryside. As you continue towards Escaudœuvres, the scenery comes alive with touches of heritage and a discreet industrial legacy, offering a subtle contrast to the gentle landscapes you pass through. This is an ideal route for enjoying the simplicity of a walk where nature and history intertwine harmoniously.

Located in the heart of the mining basin, the Bois des Hautois in Oignies is a preserved site where hiking trails wind their way between slag heaps, ponds and pastures. The suggested route is situated in the immediate vicinity of the former 9-9 bis pithead, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 30 June 2012, and whose metal headframe is never far from view, helping you to find your way along the route.

A route that takes you from the former 9-9bis pit in Oignies, with its renovated buildings that will transport you back several decades. You will then cross the Bois de Gosse and stop at the wildlife observatory. The landscape will take on a more lunar appearance as you climb the slag heap, before finally returning to the pit via the old mining sidings (rail tracks).

This walk, starting from the 9-9bis Mining Centre, will take you across both slag heaps without much difficulty, offering beautiful views of the slag heap range. The walk follows very good wooded paths on the first slag heap of the route. It is advisable to do the walk in the morning. You can extend the walk by crossing the Bois des Hautois, but there are a great many fallen trees.

Departure from the car park at the Cantimpré river port, Place Marcelin Berthelot in Cambrai.The route follows the Saint-Quentin canal dyke, takes the Chemin Noir and makes a circular loop through the Bois Chenu, then returns to the starting point along the canal and the Scheldt.If you enjoy peace and quiet, avoid doing this route at the weekend: there are lots of sports enthusiasts in the morning and lots of families out walking in the afternoon when the weather is fine.

Tour of Cambrai by the rural roads. Leaving the town along the canal towpath, and returning along the banks of the Escaut.

A route that takes you through the Fouquières marshes. You'll climb the wooded slag heap 83, offering a view of a mysterious artificial valley. You'll then head for slag heap 94 (staircase slag heap), passing the schlamm bins (storage of mining waste) and the Harnes fishing pond. Return along the path that runs alongside the Lens canal.

Belle randonnée à faire en famille entre terrils, étangs et points de vue.

Slag heaps are not just piles of dead rocks; reactions are still taking place at their core. As evidence of these reactions, gaseous fumaroles escape from them. To see this for yourself, head to Harnes, starting from the Bois de Florimond, and make your way towards the slag heap. Then follow the signposted path known as the “Sentier des Fumerolles” (Fumaroles Trail), marked by concrete posts, which will take you to Slurry Heap 230. It is a surprising journey offering a wide variety of landscapes and points of interest: views of fumaroles, a viewpoint over the south-east of the mining basin, a viewpoint over the canyon, and more.