Along the canalised Aa and the Houlle

Discover the waterways of the Audomarois, a beautiful area of Hauts-de-France.

Details

2987525
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Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.42 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 26 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 27 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 32 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Watten (59143)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 50.833164° / E 2.212447°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2303O
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) Depart from Place de Watten (pronounced Watte). Cross Rue St-Antoine and take Rue des Alliés, which turns right, then turn left onto Rue du Général de Gaulle at the top of the square. Walk to and cross the Pont de Watten bridge.

(1) Turn left onto Rue de Saint-Omer to follow the canalised Aa river. This continues along Rue Pascal Leulliette for 1.8 km from the bridge.

(2) At Pont de la Houle (blue sign), take the stairs on the right and follow Chemin de la Houle and then Chemin du Halage until you pass under the D300 road bridge and continue for another 300 metres.

(3) Turn right onto the path. Join Rue de Vincq and follow it to the right. Turn left onto Rue du 26 Mai 1940 along the D300 and continue along Rue D'Hellebrouck until you reach No. 55.

(4) Turn right onto Rue du Nouveau Chemin, then left onto Rue d'Estabergue until you reach the cross at the end. Turn right onto the D207 Rue du Cluse. At the end, continue left and then immediately right onto Rue de Graverweche. Followthe GRP® de l'Audomarois to the end. Turn left onto Rue des Sarts in the Sarts neighbourhood, then right onto Rue du Fort Vesques.

(5). Pass in front of the Eperlecque blockhouse and continue along Rue du Fort de Vesques. Pass under the D300 bridge and keep to the left.

(6) Turn right onto Route Saint-Gilles, cross the railway line, continue straight on Rue Paul Mortier until you reach the canalised Aa river and follow it on the right.

(1) Cross the bridge on the left and you will be back on Rue du Général de Gaulle. Continue to the Grand Place (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 6 m - Grand Place
  2. 1 : km 0.44 - alt. 9 m - Canal - Aa (fleuve)
  3. 2 : km 2.28 - alt. 6 m - Pont d'Houle
  4. 3 : km 4.57 - alt. 2 m - Leave La Houle
  5. 4 : km 6.14 - alt. 6 m - Rue du Nouveau Chemin
  6. 5 : km 9.27 - alt. 6 m - Eperlecques Blockhaus
  7. 6 : km 11.14 - alt. 4 m - Rue Saint Gilles
  8. S/E : km 12.42 - alt. 5 m - Arrival at Grand Place

Notes

There are several restaurants in Watten.

Worth a visit

The path along the Houle River offers a first-rate natural setting. It is a very beautiful fishing and holiday region.
Another place of interest that you might like to visit is the Blockhaus d'Eperlecques. A historic site from the Second World War, it was an incredibly well-fortified V1 and V2 launch base. If you are interested, allow 1½ hours for the visit. Admission is €10 (in 2020), so check the opening hours.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
riquita
riquita

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

We followed the route on the app without any problems.
The first part was very pleasant along the Houlle. It allowed us to discover a somewhat hidden place that we had no idea existed.
Then the route leaves La Houlle and mainly follows small tarmac roads, which are a bit monotonous. Return via the Blockhaus along very wet meadows and forests.
This route allows you to discover a wetland area.

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christophebr
christophebr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk that allows you to explore the surroundings of Watten with its large canal, proximity to the marshes, countryside, forest and urban canals. It has everything.
Paths and roads.

We did this hike at the end of October in 2 hours and 50 minutes with a short break near the marsh.

Highly recommended.

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Jean Deschepper
Jean Deschepper

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk, especially along the Aa canal and the marshes (Le Chapitre, Le Warland). Not many people at this time of year.

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filipflo
filipflo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I answered "no" to the last question about how busy the route is because we did it in November, on a Sunday afternoon, and didn't meet anyone. However, I imagine that in summer it is very busy, especially considering the nearby campsites and places of interest (Watten Mountain, Eperlecques blockhouses, restaurants, etc.).
This route is peaceful and safe, except perhaps for the 200-300 metres on the CD 207 before arriving at the Notre Dame des Neiges de Ganspette chapel.

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jl67
jl67

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very nice for exploring

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MAMIEJO
MAMIEJO

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The section along the canalised Aa is not very pleasant: there are many cars parked on the pavement along the 213. It's a shame that the Houle bridge does not cross the Aa. The other side of the Aa is nicer.
But from the Pont de la Houle bridge onwards, the area is magnificent all along the Houle and the towpath. There are some very pretty houses by the water. This section is very busy with fishermen, walkers, cyclists and joggers.
The rest of the route is also very pleasant: hedgerows with small ponds, bridges leading to the Eperlecques forest. It's very green.
A very nice walk for winter as there are not many dirt paths, mostly tarmac.

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