Gauchin-Légal walks

Short route, on decently pathed paths, pleasant in all seasons (except in very wet weather) with a passage through the Gué de Caucourt. April 2024 :1- The Hermin council advises against using the path between points 10 and 11 until the end of 2025. At point (9) , go straight ahead to join point (11) . 2- The track between points (11)  and (12)  is particularly wet. It's okay, but you'll come out a little damp. It may be preferable to go straight ahead to reach the church, then turn right to rejoin the track at point (13) . 3- Very damp but short sections before and after point (4) 

Lots of paths, a beautiful crossing of the Bois (with decent tracks) and a beautiful view as you reach the plateau (but frequent fog in autumn). 2021: I've gone back to the original route, which is more pleasant.

This walk is loosely based on the "Sentier des Pierres du Diable" (Devil's Stone Trail), but allows you to discover, alongside the famous Devil's Stones, the magnificent Mont-Éloi Abbey, the Écoivres war cemetery, the churches of Écoivres, Acq and Mont Saint-Éloi, and the Acq mill.

A walk along the Saint-Nazaire, through the wooded hills of Artois and the Lorette War Memorial (1914-1918).

This site represents Canada's most impressive memorial to its citizens who fought and gave their lives in the First World War. A strategic high point, offering breathtaking views of the coalfield and Artois hills.

A very pleasant nature trail in dry weather, but becomes more challenging in wet weather: grassy sections (a good test for your shoes, deep ruts, muddy sections). Warning: October 2024. While it's relatively easy to get through the ruts, the last part of the path out of the wood (before point 9) is in a terrible state. The path has been broken up by machinery and you can only pass along the sides, which are themselves very difficult. It's very slippery and sometimes you have to change sides, which is a real challenge. This used to be a signposted mountain bike trail, is it still?

This itinerary takes you to Europe's longest slag heap, which stretches over 2km and fills an ancient valley. You'll enjoy views over the coalfield and the Artois hills. At times, you'll have the impression of walking along a mountain ridge. An entirely wooded terril, it is a reserve for numerous species.

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.

The forest edge, the canal banks and the agricultural plain give the trail its contrasting moods. Keep your eyes peeled for birds in the undergrowth, insects on leaves and trees, and the mushrooms that grow here in late spring.

This tour will introduce you to three different settings: the Domaniale de Nieppe forest, the wooded countryside and the Lys river.

A short walk that takes you up to the ridge before descending and going along the Puits sans Fond stream. More pleasant in dry weather, as some paths can be very wet.

Hiking on the Haute-Deûle canal between Don and Ile aux Saules, between Bauvin and Billy-Berclau.In addition to the canal, you'll have the chance to discover beautiful natural areas such as Parc de La Louvière, Espace Chico Mendès and Île aux Saules.

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

This walk brings you into close contact with the canal's barges and birds. As the towpath is almost completely tarmac, this walk is particularly enjoyable in winter, when the paths are too muddy and impassable.

The route begins in the forest, with birdwatching available from observation posts. Then the landscape becomes more undulous as you climb Slag heap 115 (viewpoint over the coalfield) and return via the miners' cottages.

15 Km circuit in and around the Phalempin Forest. Start from the carpark opposite the Phalempin church.

Trail in the Weppes around Beaucamps-Ligny. The countryside near Lille Métropole.

Departing from the Parc Mozaïc car park, a 15km hike along the farm tracks of the Marais de la Deule, between Emmerin, Noyelles-lès-Seclin and Ancoisne.

This nearly roadless route takes in the wild Ravin des Cavernes and the astonishing moorland of Nœux-lès-Auxi (le Rietz). Le Rietz de Nœux is a protected nature reserve. In spring, it's home to the most beautiful orchids. Goes without saying, don't pick them! This circuit takes up a large part of the "Sentier de l'Étoile" (Path of the Star), of which there are a few routes, but no description. What's more, there are very few markings. The gates are near the fence on the right. Before tackling this route, I advise you to watch the 2 videos linked in Denis' commentary.

This hike is passable even when the paths are muddy, as they are very grassy. We spend a very pleasant time between the plain, the canal and the woods...

Just a stone's throw from Lille, an easy stroll through unspoilt countryside, passing through the Emmerin wellfields. The end is a little urban before entering the leisure and nature park.

A bucolic tour through the wild hyacinths and wild garlic blooming in late April and early May.Discover the Mont Noir and Flanders (Saint-Jans-Cappel, view of Mont des Cats and Bailleul) through undergrowth, forest paths and small roads.

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 walk will take you around the Mont des Cats along paths and back roads. It will reveal its viewpoints, its chapels, its heritage and its gentle slopes.

These three mountains watch over Bailleul, the capital of Flanders between Lille and Dunkirk: Mont des Cats, Mont de Boeschepe and Mont Noir, plus Mont Kokereel. From the top of these small hills (180m), you can enjoy views over the surrounding area. The route offers several points of interest, including Marguerite Yourcenar's house on Mont Noir, the Boschepe mill in the village of the same name, and Mont des Cats and its abbey of Cistercian monks, founded in 1826.

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.

As you descend north of Mont-Cassel, you'll enjoy the beautiful Flanders countryside.Although there are long stretches of tarmac, the roads don't have much traffic.

An easy 10 Km round trip along both banks of the Deûle canal. __⚠️ Work reported on the outward bank between points 1 and 4 on February 13, 2022.Plan to make the return trip on the other bank while waiting for the work to be completed.__

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.