Lens walks

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.

A lovely urban walk that will take you through places you’d never have imagined.

This route will take you to the top of the flat 80 slag heap (shaped like a plateau), offering a beautiful view of the mining basin and the Artois hills. The rest of the route follows the course of the Souchez river in a green and peaceful setting.

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.

This itinerary takes you to Europe's longest slag heap, which stretches over 2km and fills an ancient valley. You'll enjoy views over the coalfield and the Artois hills. At times, you'll have the impression of walking along a mountain ridge. An entirely wooded terril, it is a reserve for numerous species.

A beautiful walk that will allow you to discover Loos-en-Gohelle, passing by the Canadian Memorial, the 11-19 base and other sites.

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.

A very beautiful hike to the highest slag heaps in Europe with a view of the Flanders mountains on a clear day.

This short hike starting from Loos-en-Gohelle will take you to the slag heap and the 11/19 site. On the way back, you will cross the British Military Cemetery and the Canadian Memorial at Hill 70, all on good paths.

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.

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

Pour cette randonnée vous passerez sur les bords de la Souchez et par le Parc de la Glissoire sur des chemins tranquilles et piste cyclables.

Starting from Étang du Brochet, this hike will take you up Terril du Lavoir, before crossing the Méricourt mining village and then the necropolis of 10 March 1906, a memorial site following the mining disaster that claimed 1,099 lives.

Starting from the pond, this walk takes you around the Bois de l'Abîme via Givenchy-en-Gohelle. After a short climb, the walk takes you back down through the Bois des Bruyères.

This walk, starting from the old ponds, will take you to the Pinchonvalles slag heap via the woods of l’Abîme, les Bruyères and Givenchy, all along good paths, before returning via the Ancienne Fosse N°6 in Liévin.

The route starts from the town of Angres (in the Lens district), one of the former mining towns of the Hauts-de-France region. After a few hundred metres, you’ll leave the main urban ring road behind to enjoy the plains, valleys and forests of Artois. You could also start this circular loop from (10) N-D de Lorette, or from (3) Aix-Noulette, or even from (14) Souchez. There are restaurants at each potential starting point. (See the practical information below).

Très belle randonnée dans le Bois de l'Abîme à Givenchy avec sur le parcours une stèle à la mémoire de deux soldats morts lors de la première guerre mondiale.

This walk, starting from Angres, will take you through the Bois de l’Abîmes and Givenchy, passing over the Pinchonvalles slag heap. Angres was inhabited during the Gallo-Roman period, but is best known for its mining industry (from 1907), with pits No. 6 and No. 6 bis. These were destroyed during the First World War. Mining resumed in 1920, before closing down permanently in 1984.

This walk, starting from Hulluch, will take you to the former Lens 13 bis pit, then on to Benifontaine. A bit of history: Hulluch is a town in the mining basin listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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.

Belle randonnée entre plaine et marais, et leurs biodiversités.

Peu de goudron sur ce parcours qui permet d'arpenter les chemins du Bois des Bruyères et de faire le tour du Terril de Pinchonvalles. J'ai dû changer le départ car le beau chemin qui partait à gauche dans la Rue de l'Église est pour le moment (???) en chantier : nouveau lotissement en construction. Malgré toutes les promesses, on continue à bétonner les villes. Prions Ste Godasse et St Croquenot pour que ce chemin réapparaisse après les travaux.

Explore the Parc de la Deûle by mountain bike. This is a suburban park built around the Canal de la Haute-Deûle. It was created to protect the irreplaceable water-capturing fields in the south of the Lille metropolitan area.Numerous facilities welcome visitors, encouraging them to respect the fragile environments.A pleasant ride along the Deûle and the Wavrin Marshes. An easy route offering a mix of riding on stony paths, towpaths and through the park.

Belle randonnée à faire en famille entre terrils, étangs et points de vue.

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.

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.

A route that takes you through the Fouquières marshes. You'll climb the wooded slag heap 83, offering a view of a mysterious artificial valley. You'll then head for slag heap 94 (staircase slag heap), passing the schlamm bins (storage of mining waste) and the Harnes fishing pond. Return along the path that runs alongside the Lens canal.

This short hike around Vimy, between the town, voyettes (small streets in local dialect) and plains, will give you a different perspective on our beautiful region, its heritage and its memory of the Great War

This walk, starting from Place de la République, will take you to the Canadian Memorial. It then follows a descent through Thélus and Farbus via the Bois du Goulot. You will pass by the Saint-Ranulphe Fountain. The whole route is on good paths.

This local hike will introduce you to this charming village in the community of Lens-Lievin. It took in the wounded during the Battle of Lens in August 1648 and many other battles, including the Battle of Vimy Ridge from 9 to 12 April 1917. The ponds around Vimy are former shell holes. Even today, unexploded ordnance can still be found.

Slag heaps are not just piles of dead rocks; reactions are still taking place at their core. As evidence of these reactions, gaseous fumaroles escape from them. To see this for yourself, head to Harnes, starting from the Bois de Florimond, and make your way towards the slag heap. Then follow the signposted path known as the “Sentier des Fumerolles” (Fumaroles Trail), marked by concrete posts, which will take you to Slurry Heap 230. It is a surprising journey offering a wide variety of landscapes and points of interest: views of fumaroles, a viewpoint over the south-east of the mining basin, a viewpoint over the canyon, and more.

This circular walk through a site commemorating the Great War in Artois allows you to discover places that are now set within a remarkably well-cultivated landscape: trees have reclaimed their place, traces of the trenches have been erased by the work of farmers, and the villages have been rebuilt. The cemeteries and memorials, however, serve as a reminder of the appalling tragedy that was the First World War, marked by the deaths of millions of young soldiers and citizens.

This site represents Canada's most impressive memorial to its citizens who fought and gave their lives in the First World War. A strategic high point, offering breathtaking views of the coalfield and Artois hills.

This easy circular route takes you on a discovery of the Carency valley and the commune of Souchez.You will appreciate the role of the embankments, which are essential for agriculture, and admire several buildings that were rebuilt identically after the village of Souchez was completely destroyed during the First World War.

This circular route, steeped in history, invites you to discover a historic site paying tribute to the 11,000 who died during the capture of Vimy Ridge in April 1917. You’ll skirt the Vimy National Forest, where you can see the land scarred by shells. The Canadian National Vimy Memorial also offers a breathtaking view of the mining basin and the Artois hills

Starting from Place de Souchez, you’ll reach the Canadian memorial. The Battle of Vimy took place in April 1917. From the start of the war, the Germans held the heights of Vimy and the entire mining basin. After numerous unsuccessful attempts by the French and British to recapture these positions, it was the Canadians who drove them back, at the cost of 11,000 dead in their ranks.

Hike through plains and woods, passing by the Canadian Memorial, which you can visit, as well as the museum and the trenches (by reservation).

This local hike starting from La Pyramide will take you around Souchez along good paths. You will walk along the Souchez river and then climb up to the site of Notre-Dame de Lorette before returning to the village via Parc Cassin.

A walk starting from the Souchez Pyramid, heading towards Angres and its Bois des Bruyères, a haven of peace and tranquillity.

A short hike for the whole family. Starting from the old station, you will walk to Ablain-Saint-Nazaire, passing in front of the old church and along the Souchez. This hike can be enjoyed in all seasons.

Au départ de lorette, la randonnée passe dans les bois environnant avec de belles descentes et montées.

The starting point is the Notre-Dame de Lorette Memorial, built here to pay tribute to the martyrs of the First World War. You will pass through the beautiful villages of Ablain-Saint-Nazaire and Carency. In fine weather, you’ll enjoy some panoramic views. Allow a good two hours walking at a normal pace without stopping. We hope you enjoy a lovely walk through our beautiful Artois hills.

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.

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 walk will take you on a tour of Aix-Noulette via the narrow paths (voyettes), then through the woods. Aix-Noulette was a front line during the First World War, defended by the 11th Infantry Brigade and the 24th and 28th Infantry Regiments.

This walk, starting from the community hall next to the town hall, alternates between town and woodland with a lovely climb and a descent that is well worth the detour but should be avoided after heavy rain.

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.

A short walk that takes you past some of Aix-Noulette’s little lanes and through the woods. This area is quite busy, especially on Sundays.

Très jolie randonnée en passant par le site de Notre-Dame-de-Lorette et le Bois de Marqueffles.

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

A circular route around Farbus, allowing you to explore the village and the surrounding countryside.

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 circular loop, steeped in history, will allow you to experience first-hand the horrors of war, pay tribute to those who saved us, and reflect on the vital need to maintain peace between nations.

A very beautiful walk set amidst lush greenery and water.

This hike, starting from the Leisure Centre on Rue du Clair, will take you past the surrounding ponds and woods with their rich biodiversity and a few climbs, not to mention the Flot de Wingles.

Cette randonnée à partir de la base nautique et de loisirs vous fera passer par le Parc Alexis et les marais à la découverte de la biodiversité sur la commune de Wingles. De nombreux oiseaux sont à découvrir. La trace gpx peut s'avérer utile au vu des nombreux chemins présents.

A countryside walk near the town of Arras.Plenty of paths and small roads that are not really suitable for vehicles. To spice up the route a little, I’ve added a section of the Vignette trail (going in the opposite direction, so there are no signposts) which takes you round the Bois de Vimy. This route is quite challenging but very enjoyable and is now well maintained.

Very few roads on this rural route, which becomes quite difficult in wet weather. Although the elevation gain does not seem significant, the Sentier de la Vignette, on the northern edge of Vimy Wood, is very hilly, with steep slopes that will give your calves a good workout. It is, of course, possible to go down into the trenches and wander a little through this labyrinth.

You will discover the villages of Thélus, Willerval, and Farbus. These three villages are less than 10 km from Vimy and its Canadian First World War memorial, which is well worth a visit to complement this hike.

A walk along the Saint-Nazaire, through the wooded hills of Artois and the Lorette War Memorial (1914-1918).

This hike will take you through Carency, Mont-Saint-Éloi and its ancient abbey on good paths.A bit of history: in 1727, an oratory dedicated to Notre-Dame-de-Lorette was built on Mont Coquaine, which has now become a necropolis with the Anneau de la Mémoire (Ring of Remembrance).

Randonnée très vallonnée avec la montée de Notre-Dame-de-Lorette deux fois, plus quelques raidillons sur le parcours

This walk was created for the Rêve d'Enfants charity. Starting from Ablain-Saint-Nazaire, you will follow the River Souchez before climbing up to Notre-Dame de Lorette, then descending to Aix-Noulette before tackling the climb up the Route du Roi d'Angleterre. You will then pass beneath the Anneau de la Mémoire before descending back to Ablain, following the Souchez.

A green route around Ablain Saint-Nazaire, joining Gouy-Servins and stopping on the way back at the tomb of Arsène Lemaire "La Guérisseuse" (The Healer).

The Boucle des Riez is located in the commune of Bauvin in northern Hauts-de-France, on the edge of the Pas-de-Calais. This pleasant route takes you along the Deûle Canal, through the two Riez Marshes and to the Île aux Saules. Numerous picnic tables await walkers by the lakes.

This is an easy route offering beautiful views of the memorial sites of the Battle of the Somme during the First World War: Lorette, Mont-Saint-Eloi, Vimy, and the ruined church of Ablain.

A fairly classic route around Mont-Saint-Éloi (the area is very well signposted), with three less-travelled sections to Villers-au-Bois. It's a bit winding (not intuitive, as one of my friends always says), but it allows you to take a few less-frequented paths.

A pleasant walk along quiet roads amidst ponds and marshes. Don’t forget your binoculars and camera. In summer, mosquito repellent will come in handy.

This flat hike will take you from Bailleul-sir-Berthout to the villages of Gavrelle and Oppy, along good paths. Bailleul was completely destroyed during the First World War. In 1833, Minister Guizot passed a law requiring all municipalities to have a school.

Circular hike organised for pupils from Étienne Dolet Secondary School and pupils from schools in Provin and Bauvin as part of the “Parcours du cœur” event. A circular hike passing through three villages—Provin, Annœullin and Bauvin—and following paths and roads. This route is particularly suitable for school groups.

Entre canaux et marais de Cuinchy à Beuvry, on prend le temps de flâner sur le thème de la biodiversité.