Labourse walks

This beautiful hike, starting from Labourse, will take you through Leo Lagrange Park. It follows a short loop in Verquigneul before reaching Loisne Park and the slag heap, all on good paths and trails.

Route in an urban area, mainly on paths. It allows you to discover and cross the Domaine de Bellenville, the Terril and the Labourse ponds, as well as the impressive Moulin du Ballon (or Moulin Buret).

This hike across fields will take you through the villages of Barlin and Houchin. On the way back, you will see the ski slope created in 1996 and built on a former slag heap. In the4th century, Noeux was called Vitris. The village was destroyed by the Normans in 882. The main activities at that time were agriculture, milling, sugar refining and brewing. Mining began in 1850. The last mine was closed in 1968.

Bien sûr, ce ne sont pas les plus hauts terrils de la région, mais les deux terrils de Verquin sont restés très sauvages et, sur celui de Labourse, il y a assez d'espace et de sentiers pour varier l'itinéraire. Ce parcours en 8 peut facilement être scindé en deux boucles de 6 à 8 km. C'est un parcours assez compliqué que j'ai détaillé au maximum. Néanmoins, je recommande d'utiliser l'application surtout sur les terrils : celui de Labourse possède un grand nombre de sentiers et on peut facilement modifier le parcours.

A short country walk in the middle of the Béthune-Nœux-Bruay conurbation.

A walk through ponds, canals and marshes, where you'll be surrounded by water in the commune of Beuvry.

Semi-urban route. After a stroll through the fields, you pass by the two slag heaps of Nœux. This hike can be made difficult by bad weather, especially when descending the slag heap on ski trail no. 2, where the stairs are quite impressive. The ascent of slag heap no. 1 is not too difficult and the summit offers a panoramic view of the region. Only the end, in the town, may lack appeal, but the streets in this area are not very busy.

The route is fairly straightforward overall (the area is well signposted). This hike presents no difficulties other than its length and the condition of the paths when wet. December 2024: I changed the end from (13). It is longer, but more pleasant.

This hike from Houchin will allow you to discover another side of the mining basin without much difficulty along beautiful trails. A bit of history: the pit, 12 mining companies from Noeux-les-Mines. Mining began in 1939 and was halted in 1940 with the German occupation and never resumed.

Short route on well-marked paths. Little tarmac, for a breath of fresh air.

A beautiful walk along the banks of the Canal d'Aire in La Bassée. An invitation to stroll through remarkable landscapes such as the Marais de l'Avoué and the Prévôté de Gorre. The British military cemetery in Gorre is a reminder of the Great War.

Belle randonnée sans difficulté. Elle vous fait découvrir des chartreuses dans la campagne et les bois environnants.

The two rivers trail from Fouquières-lès-Béthune to Fouquereuil takes you along the Blanche to the Annezin marsh, then along the Lawe before walking above the water under a railway line! This route will take you to the Fouquereuil storage slag heap (the Terril de la Cuisse Maraune) where you can enjoy a superb 360° panorama from the top. The return journey is through the fields.

This hike will allow you to discover another side of Hersin-Coupigny, passing through Nœux-les-Mines, Coron number 3 and the Ferme du Blanc-Mont, not to mention the Loisne and all the biodiversity in the surrounding area.

This hike takes you along good paths through Verdrel, Bracquencourt and Barlin's Cité n°9, without any major difficulties.A bit of history: Coupigny gave its name to a large noble family from Artois. Its official name appeared in 1801.

This local hike will take you up to the heights of Coupigny, then past the Étangs des Claires Fontaines, the Corons Beclet and, of course, the slag heap. The hike is on good paths and offers beautiful biodiversity.

This hike starting from Parc Germinal will take you along the old cavaliers (railway tracks from the mining era), passing through the hamlet of Blanc Mont. You will walk along the Loisnes before returning to Hersin to cross the public garden and the slag heap.

This short hike will allow you to discover the village of Grenay in a different light, with its green setting in this vast mining town and its miners' houses. It is one of the 353 sites in the mining basin listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

These two large modern slag heaps, part of a vast mining complex, open onto the agricultural plain of Loos-en-Gohelle. Slag heap 58, whose construction began in 1896, is tabular and triangular. Also tabular, T58A is very recent, dating from 1961.

After a fairly gentle start on wide farm tracks, the walk becomes more challenging as you cross the Bois des Bruyères in Angres, where the paths are very wet.Next comes the climb up Lorette, ending with a double crossing of the equally damp Bois de Noulette. ROUTE CHANGED IN SEPTEMBER 2025. However, as the trail between points 19 and 20 is very difficult in wet weather, I have noted the end of the old route, from point 15, in the practical information section.

This is a long walk in an urban area, but 90% of it is on paths. Start at the old bridge and its steps, then follow the Biette (a beautiful footbridge restored last year) to Ourton. Next, climb back up (unfortunately on the road) before descending to Beugin. Follow another bridge to the Divion Viaduct. There, a slightly tricky descent takes you back to the banks of the Lawe. Follow it first on the left bank, then on the right bank before following the bus route. And to finish in style, the Bois de la Volville, with a nice climb at the end.

This hike takes you on the trail of the Great War, passing through Aix-Noulette and Notre-Dame-de-Lorette. From 15 May 1915 onwards, numerous battles raged between French and German forces. There were many dead and wounded on both sides.

This route will delight you with its diversity of landscapes. Enjoy some panoramic views and the ancient abbey of Mont Saint-Eloi. (19) See: practical information.

Up to the entrance to the Bois des Dames, the route is much the same as this hike (there aren't many options in the Bois de Roquelaure), but I took other paths to cross the Bois des Dames. The end of the route passes behind Emmaüs before reaching the Chartreuse des Dames and joining the Bois des Sablières.It's long, winding, almost entirely unpaved and with a significant elevation gain. Very difficult in wet weather.The use ofthe Visorando app is strongly recommended.

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.

Randonnée qui va vous emmener sur les hauteurs de Bouvigny à travers bois et plaine. Faites un arret à l'oratoire entre le point 4 et 5

Randonnée variée autour Aix-Noulette et au pied de Notre-Dame-de-Lorette.

Short and easy hike through the mining wasteland, slag heap and railway embankment, with a wooded section.

A superb little walk to do in good weather. Ideal in hot weather, this walk offers both the comfort of the forest and beautiful views, as most of the path to Parc d'Olhain runs along the edge of the forest. Views and coolness, what a joy.

An itinerary that will take you to Europe's king of slag heaps! You'll first discover the former 11/19 base with its headframes and mining buildings currently being converted. You'll also enjoy a few pleasant passages through the undergrowth.

Starting from the Jardins du Louvre nursery, this round trip will take you along Eurovélo 5, through woods and town, to Saint-Auguste Church, where you will turn back.

A very green route in the Artois hills, with two beautiful climbs and a minimum of roads. This route, which is already difficult, becomes very difficult in wet weather. I walked it on 25/02/2026 and some of the paths were barely passable.

Walk in the Fresnicourt le Dolmen area Starting from Olhain Castle and heading towards the "Table aux Fées" dolmen, you will pass two sandstone crosses dating from the 13th and 16th centuries, then the hamlet of Verdrel and the Olhain State Forest with its leisure centre, before returning through the forest. Superb views over the plain and its villages. It is best to do this walk in dry weather as the paths can be difficult in wet conditions.

The ideal time to visit this variant of Les Alouettes, with its beautiful vegetable gardens, magnificent hydrangea beds and a farmyard with a majestic and somewhat pretentious royal turkey.

This hike, starting from Angres, will take you through the Bois de l'Abimes and Givenchy, with a passage over the Terril de Pinchonvalles. Angres was occupied during the Gallo-Roman period, but is better known for its mining industry (from 1907 onwards), with pits No. 6 and No. 6 bis. They were destroyed during the First World War. Mining resumed in 1920, before closing permanently in 1984.

This walk pays tribute to Doctor Ablin Hernu, born in 1849 in Divion and died in 1920. He was the seventh of 10 children. His work covered an area stretching from Arras in the south to Aire-sur-la-Lys in the north and from Béthune in the east to Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise in the west. He was a medical officer during the 1870 war, when he studied medicine. He would walk the 40 km from Divion to Arras.

This hike, starting from Angres, will take you through the Bois de l'Abîme and the Bois des Bruyères before descending to Souchez. You will then pass through Prés Molaine and Ablain-St-Nazaire before climbing to Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, the highest point of this hike, before a more leisurely return.

This short hike starting from Liévin will take you through the gardens of the Louvre-Lens Museum and the Bollaert Delelis Stadium. You will cross the skate park before reaching the Jean Perrin public garden via well-maintained paths.

During this walk, you'll enter a beautiful region that was devastated by the 1st World War. More than 180,000 people lost their lives during the Battle of Artois, which began in May-June 1915. This walk starts at the edge of a cemetery where 44,000 soldiers of all origins are buried. Many more are, and will remain, buried forever beneath the beautiful landscapes you're about to cross.

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) 

Long route with some fairly difficult trails.The trail between (3) and (4) is very difficult but can be avoided. It was passable at the end of September 2025 (dry period).There are a few road crossings, but with very little traffic.

This hike between woods and town will take you past the former Fosse n°6 in Liévin, the Bois de l'Abime and Givenchy, before climbing the Terril de Pinchonvalles on good paths. It is a remarkable route for its biodiversity.

Caucourt is a small village near Olhain.From the church, you cross pleasant plains and villages, especially on sunny days.Avoid this route in very hot weather, as it is not much shade; in rain or fog, the view won't be as good!... In the direction of the trail, you'll save the best until last, the Gué de Caucourt and its mill.