La Melde from Wittes

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This route will allow you to discover the diversity of water in Wittes and Aire-sur-la-Lys. In Wittes, you will find the Melde, a tributary of the Lys. In Aire-sur-la-Lys, you will walk along the Lys, the Bassin des Quatre-Faces, the Ballastière ponds and the Canal de Neuffossé. This is a signposted trail maintained by the Communauté d'Agglomération du Pays de Saint-Omer.

Details

n°42760296
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.94 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 43 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 43 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 118 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 62 ft
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Description of the walk

The trail starts at the car park opposite number 1 route départementale 943. Coming from Saint-Omer, it is after the town hall and the war memorial, before the sign indicating the end of the built-up area. Coming from Aire-sur-la-Lys, it is at the entrance to Wittes on the left opposite the garden machinery shop and just after the town sign.

(S/E) From the start sign, turn left and then immediately right. 500 m further on, at the crossroads, turn left and continue straight ahead to reach the Aire-sur-la-Lys cemetery at the departmental road.

(1) Turn right onto this road and cross it before the roundabout. Then turn right and immediately left and drive alongside the cemetery. At the intersection, turn left to join Chemin de la Ballastière.

(2) After the water treatment plant, turn right and continue straight ahead to Rue du Fort Gassion.

(3) Cross it and turn left after the bridge. At the intersection, cross the Lys and keep left twice to return to Rue du Fort Gassion.

(4) Cross it and then walk along the path beside the Canal de Neuffosés without changing direction to reach the departmental road (Rue de l'Argent).

(5) Turn right onto the grassy path. Then climb the stairs. Before the bridge, turn left and then immediately right.

Fork At the crossroads, turn left and continue to the lime tree and statue. There, turn right and go up the dirt track without changing direction to reach Rue de Cassel.

(7) Turn left. At the crossroads, go straight ahead. In front of the cemetery entrance, go straight ahead. At the crossroads in front of the town hall, turn left to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 75 ft - Parking opposite 1, Route Départementale 943
  2. 1 : mi 1.63 - alt. 79 ft - D943
  3. 2 : mi 2.2 - alt. 69 ft - Ballastière Trail
  4. 3 : mi 2.38 - alt. 66 ft - Rue du Fort Gassion
  5. 4 : mi 2.67 - alt. 66 ft - 54, Rue du Fort Gassion - Lys (rivière canalisée)
  6. 5 : mi 3.99 - alt. 66 ft - Rue de l'Argent - Canal de Neufossé
  7. 6 : mi 4.2 - alt. 66 ft - Fork in the road Rue du Cornet - Melde du Pas de Calais - Alimente le Bras de décharge de la Lys Oduel
  8. 7 : mi 5.08 - alt. 95 ft - 22, Rue de Cassel
  9. S/E : mi 5.94 - alt. 75 ft - Parking opposite 1, Route Départementale 943

Notes

There is another starting point for this marked trail. It is located in Aire-sur-la-Lys at the Bassin des Quatre-Faces: 54, rue du Fort Gassion. Walkers starting this trail in Aire-sur-la Lys should follow the directions from number (4), then (5), (1) and (2).

Worth a visit

Other walks in the area

Walking Between Lys and the Canal

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The town of Aire-sur-la-Lys is crossed by the Lys river. It is bordered by the Neuffossé Canal, which takes the name Canal d'Aire at La Bassée, from this town onwards. The Bassin des Quatre Faces (Four Faces Basin) once allowed boats to turn around and sail in the desired direction: towards the town, the Lys, the canal towards Saint-Omer or Béthune. It is a signposted trail in the Pays de Saint-Omer urban community.

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