The Artois Hills to Assonval

Park near the church in Assonval

(S/E) Set off northwards on the^GR®127A. Very soon, leave the tarmac and take a path on the right. This path, which is largely made of limestone, can be tricky. However, it has been well cleared and, in early November 2021, I found it to be in excellent condition. Do take care, though, as it can be treacherous. After a good climb, you’ll reach the ridge. Continue along the path between the fields until you reach a T-junction.

(1) Turn left. After 300 m, you’ll reach a crossroads.

(2) Take the path furthest to the right – a grassy track in fairly poor condition where you often have to ‘navigate’ around the puddles. You’ll reach a T-junction near a wind turbine.

(3) Turn right to walk past the wind turbine and reach the D928. Cross it carefully, continue along the path opposite and reach another wind turbine. Just before it, turn right and reach a junction.

(4) Turn right, leaving the^GR®, and join the D928. Cross it carefully to take the path opposite. Continue along this path (south-westbound) to reach the hamlet of Rimeux and the D129E3. Cross it to take the path opposite. Good at the start, this path becomes very grassy and joins the D126.

(5) Follow it to the right for 400 m (there’s a lot of traffic, especially at weekends, so be careful), then turn left onto a wide track. Stay on this track, ignoring the turn-offs to the left, until you reach a junction.

(6) Follow the D148 to the right. Leave it after 200 m to take a wide track on the left, though this is made difficult by vehicle tracks. You’ll reach a T-junction. Turn right here to reach the hamlet of Rollez.

(7) Turn right (Rue des Vaudons) and head towards the D126. Follow it to the right (pavement on the right) until you reach a junction.

(8) Turn left onto the D148 (towards the stadium). After 400 m, the road bends to the left.

(9) Leave this road and take the lovely grassy path on the right, which winds its way to the hamlet of Gournay. Cross the small road and take the path opposite, which turns left and leads to a T-junction.

(10) Turn right (you’ll rejoin the^GR®) and head towards the D129E3. Follow it for a few metres to the right before taking the path on the left. This lovely path eventually joins a small road.

(11) Follow it to the left to rejoin the departmental road. Then turn right to reach the church at Assonval (S/E).

Sturdy footwear and walking stick(s) are recommended.

The small square at the start is well equipped with benches and tables: a picnic on arrival can be a pleasant way to finish.

There are plenty of wind turbines along this route, but the country roads are much noisier!