The Authie river, the ravine and the moor

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.

Technical sheet

1445937
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 18.00 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 252 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 244 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 135 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 31 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start: Place de la Mairie (Town hall square), Nœux-lès-Auxi.

(S/E) Pass the church and turn left onto Rue de Villers. Pass under the very high bridge and turn right onto a wide road.

(1) After 150m, turn right to join the old railroad line (GR® Canche-Authie, marked in yellow and red). Follow the track to the left. Cross the D117 over a bridge, pass a company, cross a small road and reach the D938.

(2) Cross it and find the continuation of the railroad opposite. About 500 m further on, at the crossroads, turn left to join the Authie river. Pass the chain and turn right along the river.
I've taken the shortest route, but you can have fun following all the twists and turns if you please.

(3) Shortly after a pretty picnic area (tables), reach Pont Rouge. Turn right to pass the waste disposal site and reach the D938. Cross this road and turn slightly right onto a small road that leads to Cité Foch. Take the opposite street, which veers left and reaches a T-junction. Turn right and cross the plain diagonally (there's a path) to reach the D941 at the highest point.

Follow it to the left for a few metres, then turn right into Rue du Soleil. Just after number 24, take the small road on the right. Cross the grassy area to reach a tarmac lane. Turn right into Rue de Nœux. Turn right onto the D941.

(5) Follow this for a few metres to the left, before turning right onto the wide grassy track (Chemin de Nœux), first at the edge of a field, then at the edge and finally in the undergrowth (ignore a track leading off to the right). 1500m further on, again at the edge of the field, turn right between two fields to reach the "Tête de Nœux" (hill 121).

(6) Turn left at a hairpin bend and follow the wide path to the road (Rue de Buire). Reach the Notre-Dame de Liesse chapel (with "culs de bouteilles" crosses).

(7) Following the signposts, take the path on your left (when you're opposite the chapel, the path is on your right). It gets closer to the road, but there's a very pleasant extension which eventually rejoins the road.

(8) Follow it uphill to the right (outside the growing season, you can stay in the field and walk along the hedge).

(9) At the left-hand bend, leave the road to take the large track on the right. Reach Mont d'Hesdin. The path twists and turns, eventually reaching a T-junction.

(10) Take the pretty climb to the left. Pass under the power line and reach a fork. Turn right for a few metres.

(11) The entrance to the Ravin des Cavernes is there (starred arrow). Difficult descent at the start (string on the left), then a steep path lined with beautiful ravine ferns and ferns. Continue downhill to the edge of the wood. The ravine was well cleaned in spring 2022, but it's still a difficult, narrow trail
(a little taste of adventure!!!)

(12) Turn left onto a grassy path, heading for a large explanatory sign. A wooden fence marks the entrance to the moor.
This part is difficult to describe due to the large number of paths. Basically, go right after the barrier and follow the fence on a narrow path (preferably the best-marked one) to the north-east. The next gates are against the fence.
When you see the quarry, go slightly uphill to pass over it.
Climb down a rustic staircase to reach the 4th and last barrier (another explanatory sign).

(13) Go through the barrier and follow the grassy path between the fences. Reach the small road and follow it to the right for 600m.

(14) At the crossroads, take the path rising to the left (starred arrow). It veers left, then right, and reaches a crossroads where the GR® Canche-Authie can be found.

(15) Follow it to the right until you reach a picnic area.

(16) Leave the GR® and take the small road opposite. You will then reach the Rue de Villers, which you follow to the right. Pass under the high bridge at the start and descend to Nœux (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 52 m - Place de la Mairie, Nœux-lès-Auxi
  2. 1 : km 0.33 - alt. 63 m - Join the old railway line
  3. 2 : km 2.99 - alt. 46 m - Junction with the D 938
  4. 3 : km 5.17 - alt. 31 m - Le Pont Rouge
  5. 4 : km 5.78 - alt. 62 m - Junction with the D 941
  6. 5 : km 6.45 - alt. 82 m - Junction with the D 941
  7. 6 : km 8.25 - alt. 121 m - Take a left hairpin
  8. 7 : km 9.74 - alt. 57 m - Chapel
  9. 8 : km 10.34 - alt. 80 m - Right on the small road
  10. 9 : km 10.72 - alt. 110 m - Leaving the minor road
  11. 10 : km 12.32 - alt. 72 m - T-junction
  12. 11 : km 13.35 - alt. 128 m - Entrance to the ravine: arrow
  13. 12 : km 14.09 - alt. 70 m - Wood exit
  14. 13 : km 15.17 - alt. 79 m - Fourth barrier
  15. 14 : km 15.93 - alt. 66 m - Path rising to the left
  16. 15 : km 16.29 - alt. 85 m - Junction with the GR°°®°° Canche-Authie
  17. 16 : km 17.49 - alt. 70 m - Picnic area
  18. S/E : km 18 - alt. 52 m - Place de la Mairie, Nœux-lès-Auxi

Practical information

Good shoes and poles essential.

In wet weather, the ravine and moor can be very difficult.

The moor, on a south-facing slope, feels a bit like an oven in the hot sun. The path is narrow and the junipers can be a bit of a nuisance.

The gates are heavy to lift, so take care when closing them.

The route through the moor is designated as 'guide only', as it's difficult to know exactly where you're going. But it's an enclosed area, so it's virtually impossible to get lost. When I went through with my group, there were people everywhere and everyone ended up at the last barrier (there were even 2 goats!!).

There's a very welcoming café in Nœux (Chez Jacky 1 Rue Andrieux, 62390 Nœux-lès-Auxi.
Telephone: 03 21 04 01 30, closed on Thursdays). It's easy to split the walk into 2 and eat there at lunchtime Check to see if the café is still open.

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 17 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
vincent.liefooghe
vincent.liefooghe

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very varied route, but the weather of the previous few days made it very muddy, especially towards the end.
The Ravine is indeed surprising, with quite a few fallen tree trunks.
We were surprised to come across a doe just as it was leaving.

We probably lost the thread a bit in the last part (the moor), and found ourselves crossing a field covered in mud and water. It has to be said that there are a lot of paths here.

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joorange
joorange

I watched your video again this morning.
What fun!!! I can't wait for the good weather to return to this course.

I think you could make equally beautiful videos on the Fressin course and at Lucheux (for the southern part).

Enjoy your rides!
Joël

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Denis62950
Denis62950

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Hello,

I discovered this route on Baudoin B.'s blog "Nom d'un randonneur"(https://nomdunrandonneur.com/2023/08/09-...) and found it absolutely fabulous!

A huge THANK YOU for suggesting this route, which is without doubt one of the most beautiful I've done in the region to date.

I loved it from start to finish.

Following the Authie was a pure moment of wonder, the Ravin is completely crazy (if I'd seen a dinosaur pass by there I wouldn't even have been surprised...) and finally the Rietz where I thought I was in another region for a while.

I've created a short video of this route from my many photos and videos and put it on Youtube,

You can find it here:
https://youtu.be/qh1yKP81N7o?feature=sha...

I'll definitely be doing it a second time and I'll be taking a closer look at your other suggested routes.

Thanks again!

Denis

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joorange
joorange

Thank you for your superb commentary and the lovely photos!
It must have been hot in Le Rietz on Wednesday.

But with notices like this, the Nœux-les-Auxi town council will have to create car parks to accommodate the tourist buses.

The ravine is indeed a strange place. The first time I went there with my wife, there was also a flock of crows whose cries made the place even more 'worrying'.

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BaudouinB
BaudouinB
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Thank you Joorange for another great suggestion!

I didn't use the description because, as usual, I load the route onto my GPS, but I had read it and memorised it before setting off and there's nothing really fundamental to complain about.

I didn't really like the long straight stretches along the old railway line, but the local council (?) has installed observatories where the wooded edge opens up and it's great fun. What a great initiative!

The route along the Authie is divinely superb! I was moving at a snail's pace, so keen was I to make the most of every moment.

At Auxi-le-Château, I fell in love with the Cité du Soleil!

I didn't see a sign at the entrance to the Ravin des Cavernes, but the entrance is well enough marked not to miss it. What a wonderful and amazing place! You'd think you were in another world... well... on another continent!

In the Réserve des Riez, I'd advise you to try to stay as high up as possible, otherwise you run the risk of being drawn towards the path that follows the fence at the bottom, and that would be a shame because from the very top you have a superb view of the valley! Unfortunately, I didn't see any sheep or goats, but what a magnificent spot it was too!

All in all, despite the many days of rain in this rotten month of July, all the paths we took were passable. In the end, it was on the old railway line that we found the most mud, but not enough to take a bath in! Hardly a foot bath!

I'd have to recommend you do this walk, but I'm afraid the whole of France will be doing it, and that would upset me In any case, our region is beautiful, and thank you again for letting us discover it, Joorange!

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Bettina80
Bettina80

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice route, excellent descriptions and layout, a big well done to the author! I had downloaded the GPX track on my watch and there were no errors. Just as indicated in the description, the part in the riez is very difficult to describe, but the GPX trail helped me find my way. It's hard to get lost if you're following a trail. Don't always stay towards the fence, but start to climb back up as soon as possible.
We met cows in the riez and sheep, but no goats!
The section in the ravine, which is a little more technical, is passable, with no more trees in the way.
It's a shame that the picnic spots are too early if you set off in the morning, but we had our picnic in a mown field just before entering the ravine.
The scenery is varied: riverside, woodland, plain, ravine, Riez and the passage out of Auxi le Château. There are plenty of information panels and the village of Noeux les Auxi is very interesting to explore.
I really recommend this route, most of which is signposted GRP and PR.

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Stansalome
Stansalome

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

parish specific to Brittany. After the storm, they are in the process of clearing the trees in the ravine.

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joorange
joorange

A comment like that could only encourage me to return to the area. I did so on 08 September in extraordinary weather.
In fact, the ravine went through without a hitch despite the piles of branches.
Between 12 and 13, the goats were there, as well as a dead sheep (sad! I warned the Mairie). By mid-morning, the temperature was still pleasant. In the first part, keep as far to the right as possible, close to the fence. After the second barrier, you reach a fork where you need to turn left to climb a little higher and pass over the quarry. And after the third barrier, you have to stay close to the fence. I think that's the easiest way, but you can do pretty much what you want...
I took the opportunity to change the route a little at point 4, which means you can avoid the D941.

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marmotte33
marmotte33

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

I took this walk on Sunday 5 September (not yet hunting season ), in sunny, warm weather (29°C). I didn't meet anyone along the way apart from the fishermen on the Authie! But it was worth it, I really enjoyed it.
Not too many roads. But there were quite a few shadeless stretches between fields, and when the going gets rough, you have to have what you need.
The part along the river is very pleasant. The ravine is great, a sudden change of scenery, you feel like you're somewhere else. Lots of fallen and tangled trees, nothing insurmountable to climb over. Then the protected area (markers 12-13), not easy to find the path, but a real treat in the middle of the grass and slope, the tinkling of goat bells to boot.
A little bit of nice, fun change in altitude, views over the valleys... it's all there. 4h10 for me solo, plus a snack break.

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dixazero
dixazero

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Hi, lovely varied walk through countryside, rivers and woods. A bit of a climb but not too difficult. Plenty of places to picnic. Very pleasant, thank you.

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joorange
joorange

Something was bothering me in your message.

After some thought (it took a long time, it must be my age!), I found it.

The association of IQ and hunter seems a bit abusive to me. It seemed to me that hunters stopped evolving 10,000 years ago. What a pity that their weaponry has continued to evolve!

I'm attaching a link to a song by Morice Benin, who has just gone to singing heaven, but who had it all figured out a long time ago (you can also listen to "On va tous crever" by the same singer).

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...

Friendly

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Xavier2304
Xavier2304

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Hello, another great hike by Joorange! What energy! Clearly we cheated and went from point 10 to the return point .... so no ravine for us but we'll do it again soon. At point 8, on the right, a hunter shoots at a kestrel ... pathetic, but his skill was proportional to his IQ, and the falcon is still flying. We'll be doing it again this winter. Thanks again Joorange for your selflessness!

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Claude-Meignen
Claude-Meignen

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 10, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful hike, which we had to do in several stages because of the bad weather. A bit frustrating, I would have liked to do it all in one go!
A very varied walk: woods, riverside, unusual landscapes: ravine, "riez", small village (Noeux les Auxi).
Nothing to throw away!

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mithe.leblanc
mithe.leblanc

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 07, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A lovely, green walk.
I'll be doing it again soon, as I wasn't able to finish (I stopped at the 13th kilometre because one of my dogs was limping). I enjoyed it, even in the rain.

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LENGLART CHRISTIAN
LENGLART CHRISTIAN

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : May 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

This is a pleasant hike because it is undulating, winding through the valley and over the heights, and is often shaded in the beautiful, deep sections. From point 15 to point 2, you follow the old Frévent - Auxi le Château railway line. At the end of May, the bottom of the ravine was obstructed for more than 30 m by a tree felled 40 m after the start of the ravine. This obstacle is not insurmountable; it can be avoided by descending further into the ravine; to do this, do not take the first descent but the second, which you will find further on as you leave the field. If you want to continue along the path on the left as you leave the ravine, it's best to rely on the geolocation on the map.

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