The Howarderie and the Ploegsteert Ornithological Nature Reserve

Route changed today to avoid private property.

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Date of your route : Nov 30, 2025
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hello,
I went on this hike yesterday. A very beautiful bird sanctuary!
I would like to draw your attention to two points along the route:

• on the way there, when you want to turn right off Rue du Touquet to walk along the western side of the Ploegsteert brickworks, the small street leads to a private part of the brickworks where there is a clear sign saying that it is forbidden to enter the factory yard. There is a gate which, several years ago, was open during working hours on weekdays, but it is now always closed. This means you have to climb through a hole in the fence.
• On the way back from the reserve, the route takes us past another brickworks building, where the passage is a little rough, given the earthworks currently being carried out by the factory.

I spoke with a member of the RNOP (Ploegsteert Ornithological Nature Reserve) association, which manages the site on behalf of the brickworks. He confirmed that further improvements would be made to prevent unauthorised access to the RNOP, as the brickworks has been increasingly targeted by thieves (stealing bricks and, above all, copper cables from the conveyor that brings in the clay), which has resulted in significant costs in recent years. More and more cameras are being installed on the site.
I am a little surprised that a hiking route published on your app encourages hikers to pass through private property at their own risk.
Thank you in advance for your comments.
Jean-Paul Gilbert
Hiker

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