The towpath of the Canal de la Deûle

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.

Details

226774
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.31 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 6 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 6 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 28 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 20 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Don (59272)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 50.549792° / E 2.918171°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2505O
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Start at the car park near the chip shop, opposite the DIY store.

(S/E) Exit Rue Marcel Sambat onto the main Pierre Curie road. Turn right for 200m, passing over the old lock.

(1) At the roundabout, turn left onto the towpath along the old Canal de la Deûle. Watch out for the many trucks serving the small industrial zone. Take the sidewalks. The traffic soon disappears and you'll be going along the canal for around 5km.

(2) Shortly after the canal divide, turn right up to the bridge (3). Cross the canal, go down the bridge and enter Billy-Berclau.

(4) Immediately turn left at the first road along the bridge, then right at the canal onto the towpath. Follow the canal for about 800m, passing under a bridge.

(5) Take the first right-hand path, which can be quite muddy. After 50m, turn right to join the road.

(6) Turn right onto the D39, cross the first bridge.

(7) Turn left to walk around the island. This little loop is optional but pleasant, and is about 800m long. Exit at the same end.

(7) Then turn left and continue on the D163, go down the bridge.

(8) Take the first road on the left. At the canal, follow the towpath to the right for about 5km.

(9) Go around the Écluse de Don (Don Lock).

(10) Just before the bridge, take a small tarmac track that joins the main road, where you turn left.

Pass over the canal, then return to the starting point along Rue Anatole France (beware of traffic) for approx. 500m. Turn right towards the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 22 m - Parking near the chip shop
  2. 1 : km 0.19 - alt. 24 m - On the left, at the roundabout
  3. 2 : km 4.51 - alt. 22 m - On the right, after the division of the canal
  4. 3 : km 4.69 - alt. 23 m - Pont du - Canal d'Aire
  5. 4 : km 5 - alt. 23 m - Street on the left
  6. 5 : km 5.94 - alt. 22 m - Path on the right
  7. 6 : km 6.11 - alt. 27 m - D39, on the right
  8. 7 : km 6.21 - alt. 28 m - Bifurcation - Deûle (rivière)
  9. 8 : km 7.62 - alt. 22 m - On the left at the foot of the bridge (monument)
  10. 9 : km 11.24 - alt. 23 m - On the right, at the Don Lock
  11. 10 : km 11.58 - alt. 22 m - To the right on the small path
  12. S/E : km 12.31 - alt. 22 m - Parking near the chip shop

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 21 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
Goups
Goups

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very easy circuit.
Easy because it's tarmac.
I was lucky enough to see a barge in the lock.

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Mimi59
Mimi59

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk. Can be done in all weathers. Easy access car park.

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visojeangab
visojeangab

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Sunny day and dry terrain
here are 2 picnic tables on Ile aux Saules, an ideal spot for refreshments.

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Wyzgolik
Wyzgolik

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice circuit in winter, not too muddy except around the islet, the road is slippery in places in frosty weather.
Otherwise, the route is very pleasant and relaxing, with no traffic noise in the background.
The ballet of the barges makes the walk even more enjoyable.
We all enjoyed this tour.

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eth.moscou
eth.moscou

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This is an ideal walk for children, as there is no change in altitude and the path is tarmac all the way, making it easy to use bikes, scooters, etc.

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Denis62950
Denis62950

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

I did this walk very early in the morning in more than mixed weather, without running and taking photos, in about 2? hours (without a break).
It's a very easy route that fits the description perfectly. I chose it because of the weather, because as I said, it has the advantage of being passable even in the rain.
The landscape is a bit repetitive but pleasant and it makes for a good walk in good conditions.
Thanks to the author for this route, which helped me discover the area.

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Jacky59320
Jacky59320

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Hiking in pouring rain.
No problem, paths 90 tarmac
Possibility of extending the circuit if the weather is fine.

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mbolo
mbolo

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A simple but very enjoyable walk!
Great fun in the spring sunshine!

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vrobillard
vrobillard

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

We had a great time, but the only criticism I can make is the lack of diversity in the landscapes.

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lamallevolante
lamallevolante

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very pleasant walk, with sunny weather and easy walking.
A good hike to test yourself over just over 10 kilometres.

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KikiRando
KikiRando

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 25, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Work at the lock requires a small diversions, which is not always well signposted.
Easy walk, but a bit monotonous, as you'd expect.

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Djihem
Djihem

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Easy hike completed in 2h20mn.
Beware of the parking recommended on the map, which is in the blue zone (parking time limited to 1h15 if I remember correctly).
Work at the Don lock requires a diversion at the end of the route.

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MARYSELEP
MARYSELEP

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A pleasant route, but there are no markers to help you find your way on the map. It's a shame there aren't any benches where you can rest and enjoy the peace and quiet.

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maxetnewton
maxetnewton

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 07, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

Not a very interesting walk, to be avoided on Sundays as there are lots of people, joggers, cyclists and even hunters.

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duf5962
duf5962

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 06, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

No difficulties whatsoever, and a rather nice view of the Deûle. Well, the weather on 04 March was rather wet, but that's the vagaries of hiking In short, a lovely walk.

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