Picardy walks

From Port du Hourdel, there is a coastal route that returns along the ponds and passes by the Maison des Oiseaux. Important note from one of our friends: please note that parking at Le Hourdel is subject to a charge, even in low season. However, the car park located between (3) and (4) was free when we went on our walk. It was therefore possible to start the walk from this new starting point.

A very bucolic walk in the heights of the French Vexin, passing close to the highest point in the Ile-de-France region. A beautiful forest to cross until you reach the house that was once inhabited by Sarah Bernhardt. Return through the fields across a beautiful landscape at the edge of Picardy.

Discover the rich heritage of the Automne Valley and its surroundings, Gallo-Roman ruins and the ruined Romanesque chapel of Champlieu, the churches of Béthencourt and Orrouy, and more. In addition, the route from hill to hill offers beautiful views of the countryside and the valleys you cross.

Walk in the heart of Le Hâble d'Ault, where it is advisable to bring a pair of binoculars to observe the birds.

From Château de la Borne Blanche to Abbaye d'Hérivaux, between ponds and forest.

A beautiful hike through the forests of Chantilly and Ermenonville on sandy paths lined with tall pine trees, giving it a Mediterranean charm.

The main destination of this hike is an imposing Neolithic dolmen. Passing through woods and fields, it also offers the opportunity to discover two charming villages in the Réveillon Valley.

This short walk of just under 6 km in and around Saint-Valery-sur-Somme is full of charm with its fishermen's streets lined with decorated and flower-filled houses, its sailors' calvary with views of the entire bay and the town, its quays along the Somme and its Saint-Valery Chapel, known as the Sailors' Chapel, not to mention its history with the Porte Jeanne d'Arc and numerous views of the Bay of Somme

This hike is mainly in the forest, favouring trails in hilly terrain. The circuit passes through large pine forests with undergrowth of heather and ferns providing a beautiful variety of colours. The ground is often very sandy, making it easy to hike in winter.

Chantilly is the largest racehorse training centre in Europe. The forest is criss-crossed by numerous galloping tracks that are usable all year round thanks to the quality of the sand. During this walk, you can appreciate the importance of this activity in the forest itself and in the plain bordering its northern edge. Beautiful views of the château, the Grandes Écuries and the Canal Saint-Jean add to the charm of the circuit.

From Jean-Jacques Rousseau Park to the druidic stones in the forest...

This hike, which is not particularly difficult, allows you to discover the cliffs of Ault and Onival beach to the north from the panoramic view of the Bois de Cise. Moderator's warning: Report of restricted access (January 2021) following a landslide on the cliff.

A bucolic walk on the edge of the French Vexin, between woods and fields, from hill to hill. Panoramic views of the Normandy countryside.

Discover two contrasting natural environments: the dry limestone grasslands covering the hill of Mont César and the marshes below. A varied route through the forest, poplar groves and fields.

On one of the sites of the ill-fated Chemin des Dames offensive of April 1917, this route is mainly through forest but with clear passages offering superb views that give an understanding of how perilous the operation was. The route through the site of the former village of Craonne, which was razed to the ground under a barrage of artillery fire, is particularly moving. The remains of Vauclair Abbey provide a beautiful heritage-filled end to the walk.

A 10-kilometre loop to be done on foot starting from Parc Chantemesse in Chambly. There are no major difficulties and the section along the river is very pleasant.

A beautiful walk in the Valois region between the forests of Retz, Compiègne and Senlis.

A lovely walk to discover the beautiful villas of Mers-les-Bains. Pass through the marshes before discovering Eu and its castle. A beautiful climb to the Chapelle Saint-Laurent to discover the Bois de Cise. Please note that the return route along the cliffs following thePR® trail, which offers beautiful views of the coast, is closed by municipal decree following recent cliff collapses. By keeping well to the left of the path, it is still possible to enjoy the views.

Discover a curious sight: a slippery rock where, according to legend, women used to slide down bare-bottomed to find out if they would have a baby that year! Whatever the truth of this legend, you can enjoy the beautiful forest atmosphere, heather-covered plateaus and a small rocky chaos with the famous rock.

If you want to go for a walk with the option of a dip in the sea halfway along the route, this is just what you need!

A short walk when you don't have time to go too far.

This loop, starting from Villers-Saint-Frambourg, takes place in the Forêt d'Halatte. The paved forest roads follow the dirt tracks. We climb Mont Pagnotte via the south face. After a long descent, we go around the mountain to climb it again, but this time via the north face. The ascent is less difficult as it follows a beautiful path. After a long descent, we return to our starting point.

This lovely walk takes you to a Neolithic menhir called the Pierre Frite, then to a small, well-preserved castle set in lush green surroundings. Beautiful rolling landscapes can be enjoyed throughout this hike.

This hike allows you to discover the beautiful Halatte Forest with its oak and beech trees and to get close to some of its curiosities. They all bear witness to human presence and activity since the dawn of time. Along the route, on the heights of Mont Pagnotte, beautiful views await you.

Most of the hike takes place on flat ground and in woodland, with a long stretch along the edge of lakes. It offers beautiful views of the Picardy countryside and the Oise valley. Passing through Précy-sur-Oise, Blaincourt-lès-Précy, Saint-Leu-d'Esserent and Villers-sous-Saint-Leu, you can discover some of the region's heritage gems.

A very pleasant hike in a forest area consisting mainly of coppice woodland, which is ideal for game. Encounters with large animals such as wild boar, roe deer, does and stags are therefore quite frequent. Don't hesitate to take your camera with you.

A hike through the woods to discover bluebells, the village of Villeneuve-sur-Fère where Paul Claudel lived, and a visit to the Hottée du Diable (a unique rock erosion site).

The Baie de Somme is magnificent. If you want to see seals, go sand yachting or horse riding on the sand, and you love the sea, dunes and footpaths, then this hike is for you.

This route through the Compiègne Forest will take you to the charming village of Saint-Jean-aux-Bois, a candidate for the TV show "The Most Beautiful Village in France", its abbey and, during a lovely, easy hike in the forest, the village of La Brévière and the Étang Sainte-Pérrine.

This is a pleasant walk to discover one of the most beautiful villages in France, Gerberoy. The walk mainly follows paths along the edge of forests or through woodland, making it a peaceful walk.

In the footsteps of Léon-Augustin-Lhermitte, painter of the peasants of Champagne, late 19th century. Walk up Mont-Saint-Père, passing by the Gland orientation table, then stroll along the Marne to finish up on the Chartèves hillside, a nature reserve where you can find around thirty plant species (orchids, etc.) and invertebrate fauna (spotted salamanders) and insectivorous birds.

A hike in a forest in Picardy where the pines loom large. There are also beautiful sites covered in heather and sandstone blocks. The soil, often sandy, allows for hiking in winter without difficulty.

A beautiful walk through the magnificent forests of Pontarmé and Chantilly, rounded off by a stroll through the town of Senlis with its remarkable architectural heritage. The open sections offer panoramic views of the Picardy countryside.

A shaded and easy hike through the woods and around Chantilly Castle, passing through the small villages of Courteuil and Avilly-Saint-Léonard with some points of interest such as the Table d'Apremont and, of course, the pleasure of seeing Chantilly Castle, its Grandes Écuries and its racecourse

A short walk around Boves to get a glimpse of the rolling, wooded landscape of the Picardy countryside. You will then discover the marshes of the Saint-Ladre pond nature reserve.

A stroll through peaceful countryside just an hour from Paris, where you will find fortified castles, a 12th-century church and an American cemetery from the First World War.

A beautiful walk in the forest where you can see some remarkable trees and several boundary stones bearing coats of arms along the paths, bearing witness to the history of the Chantilly Forest. The walk also takes in the Fontaine d'Orry and the surroundings of Pontarmé Castle.

This route is mainly through woodland, allowing you to explore the woods and golf courses around Chantilly and offering beautiful views of the Château de Chantilly estate.

A route along the coastal path between the Bois de Cise and Ault. A magnificent hike along this incredibly beautiful cliff, returning via a hiking trail that takes us to the Bois de Cise with its traditional and modern villas. A gem of the Picardy coast, a green oasis, a true paradise for plant lovers. A natural woodland on the coast of the English Channel.

This is a beautiful walk at the entrance to the Oise, in the valleys between Anserville and Fosseuse. The walk takes you through fields and woods. The region is surprising in this area, with its gently sloping hills and succession of small woods and fields. It offers a variety of very pleasant views.

Located mainly in the Oise Valley, this hike crosses the Bois de la Coharde forest at the end of the route. It allows you to discover a troglodyte village in Gouvieux and offers beautiful views of the Oise, Chantilly, Saint-Leu-d'Esserent and Saint-Maximin.

This hike is long enough to showcase all aspects of the Halatte forest: tall beech and oak trees, coppice with oak trees and lime trees in the undergrowth, and large cultivated clearings, the largest of which is Fleurines. Most of the route follows the beautiful forest roads that were built several centuries ago.

The Hez-Froidmont forest was created in 1869 by combining the Hez (1,413 ha) and Froidmont (259 ha) state forests with the Saint-Lucien, Saint-Thibault and La Verrière reserves, which were originally owned by the church. Covering a single area of 2,796 hectares (with the exception of the Belle Fille valley, which is 100 metres away from the forest and represents a small 10-hectare canton), it stretches 9 kilometres from east to west and 6 kilometres from north to south.

Hike in a forest massif located on a hill and composed mainly of beech and oak trees. The southern and northern edges offer beautiful panoramic views of the Valois agricultural plateau and the Oise Valley.

A beautiful route through the Lys Forest, past beautiful residences and the hamlet of Baillon, to Royaumont Abbey and back via a farm track.

A hike for all tastes, passing by Rue des Troglodytes, the ponds and the banks of the Oise.

Starting from the seaside resort of Cayeux, a route that will take us to Pointe du Hourdel via Bois de Brighton and the ponds. View of the Baie de Somme and Le Crotoy. The return journey is along the seashore on the sand, sometimes with your feet in the water depending on the tide. Bring binoculars to watch the seals on the sandbanks

This hike around the Commelles ponds and the town of Lamorlaye begins south of the Chantilly Forest. It then crosses the residential area of Le Lys, continues through the Coye Forest and ends on the botanical trail along the ponds. Beautiful views of the Château de la Reine Blanche and the pine and oak forests await you along the route.

A walk through the streets of a town with a rich history and along the banks of the Baie de Somme.

This walk in the Crécy Forest will enchant you with its four majestic trees, among other things. The IGN map is highly recommended for following the route.