Back to the Elnes hillside

This place is so beautiful that it deserves a second route.
Another good climb with 2 nice climbs and a maximum of paths and trails.

Difficult in dry weather and very difficult in wet weather.

Technical sheet

2539514
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 22.57 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 399 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 391 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 139 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 44 m

Description of the walk

Start: Remilly-Wirquin Grande Place, Rue de la Moulière.

(S/E) With your back to the road, head towards the containers and reach a street which you follow to the left. At the end, turn right to cross the Aa. Just after, turn left into Rue des Prés.

(1) At the crow's-foot, turn right into Rue Bertin, and at the end of this street, go straight ahead on the footpath leading upwards. At the T junction, turn right onto the D192.

(2) Shortly before the D192, turn left onto a wide track. A few metres before a wind turbine, turn left towards the edge of the wood on the GR® 145.

(3) At the crossroads, continue straight ahead (GR®), first at the edge of the wood, then in the undergrowth. At the next crow's-foot, follow the GR® to the right (it's well signposted!) to cross the Bois d'Esquerdes on a superb path. Reach a T-junction at the cemetery. Turn left to reach a crossroads.

(4) Then turn left, then immediately right with GRP®. Leave the GR® which goes off to the right. Stay on this wide path, ignoring the right-hand departures. Climb gently to reach a crossroads where you continue straight on GRP®. Descend to the Aa valley along a beautiful, steep path: the view is magnificent!
Reach a crossroads.

Turn right onto the small road. After about 50 m, a small rustic staircase on the right joins an overhanging path. Follow this to the left. After a sunken passage, a rustic staircase leads back to the tarmac on the left. Go right, past the cave and through a gate. Shortly afterwards, another barrier appears on the right.

(6) Cross it to begin the climb up the hillside (stairs or path depending on your preference and the state of the ground, which is very chalky and therefore potentially slippery). Cross another barrier (take advantage of this flat part to enjoy the view over the Aa valley, Elnes and its castle). You'll reach 2 posts bearing blue "juniper trail" markers. Turn right and climb up to a clearly visible barrier.

(7) Cross the barrier. A path crosses a bramble bush, then veers right towards an embankment. Follow the slope to the left. A few metres further on, climb a little to the right to reach another field (wheat in early August 2021). Go along it on the left (this passage is signposted in the other direction, so it is authorized) and join a good grassy path which joins a small road. Follow it downhill to the left. Shortly after a 90° right-hand bend, look out for a post with a blue beacon on the left.

(8) Leave the road and head for a passage, on the left, in the embankment marked with blue markers. Cross the fence (it's landscaped, but be careful, especially if it's wet). Follow the steeply sloping path (well cleaned in February 2022).
Turn right and eventually reach a T-junction. Turn right to quickly find a staircase on the left. Follow it and reach tarmac. See practical info.

(9) Follow the tarmac to the left, ignoring a left-hand turn-off to join the river Aa, which you cross. Just after the bridge, turn left into Rue du Courtil Moulin. At the T-junction (the château is on the left), turn right. Opposite the church, turn left to join the D192 (you can cross the cemetery to find a watering hole at the exit to the D192).

(10) Follow this for a few metres, then turn right onto the D132 (Rue Jules Caron). Ignore the 1st street on your right and turn right into the 2nd street (Rue des Grands Camps). Follow this wide, gently sloping road for almost 3 km. After passing under the power line, reach a crossroads.

(11) Take the small road on the left, again passing under the power line. Shortly afterwards, when the road bends to the left, leave it to take the path opposite (there are markings). After a tricky start, it improves. Descend until you reach the D132, which you follow to the right until you reach a fork in the road. Continue straight ahead.

(12) Shortly after the right-hand bend, don't miss the path on the left. After an often damp dip, it veers to the right (in very wet weather, you may have to cross a stream) and offers us a fine climb (the path is very cluttered at the end: you have to contend with nettles, brambles and other thistles). At the summit, turn right at the T-junction, then immediately left (IGN map wrong at this point) and continue for about 300 m.

(13) Don't miss the grassy path to the left. Join a small road which you follow in front of you. When it bends to the right, continue for a few metres. After about 100 m, you'll find a path on the right (it's a cow path, it can be muddy, but the layer of mud is not very thick and the bottom is stony) which will take you back to the tarmac.

(14) Go left and reach a T-junction (hamlet of Campagnette). Turn right. After a right-hand bend, reach a fork. Go left and round the farm to the right to cross the small stream (often dry). After the bridge, turn left. The path skirts the Ravin de Campagnette, then climbs up to reach a T-junction.

(15) Turn left onto a wide track. At the next T-junction, turn right, then cross the D225 to reach the hamlet of Plouy.

(16) At the crossroads, turn left. When the road bends to the right, ignore a track on the left and continue on the track opposite for a descent of about 1km.

(17) At the crossroads, just before a small wood, turn right for a final short climb. The path joins the 225 E1. Follow it to the left to reach Remilly-Wirquin (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 52 m - Remilly-Wirquin village hall car park - Aa (fleuve)
  2. 1 : km 0.28 - alt. 52 m - Three-way junction
  3. 2 : km 0.85 - alt. 89 m - Just before D 192
  4. 3 : km 3.01 - alt. 128 m - Orée du bois
  5. 4 : km 5.37 - alt. 44 m - Crossing after the cemetery
  6. 5 : km 8.58 - alt. 51 m - Cross
  7. 6 : km 9.18 - alt. 55 m - Entrance to the hillside
  8. 7 : km 9.6 - alt. 112 m - Last barrier, facing the field
  9. 8 : km 10.13 - alt. 101 m - Small blue post on the left
  10. 9 : km 10.5 - alt. 52 m - Exit from the hillside
  11. 10 : km 11.13 - alt. 50 m - Junction with the D 192
  12. 11 : km 14.09 - alt. 120 m - Crossing after the power line
  13. 12 : km 15.22 - alt. 77 m - path on the left
  14. 13 : km 16.14 - alt. 139 m - Path on the left at the crest
  15. 14 : km 17.68 - alt. 108 m - Back on tarmac at Campagnette
  16. 15 : km 18.89 - alt. 120 m - T-junction
  17. 16 : km 20.24 - alt. 125 m - Hameau du Plouy
  18. 17 : km 21.22 - alt. 101 m - Crossroads, just before the wood
  19. S/E : km 22.57 - alt. 52 m - Remilly-Wirquin village hall car park

Practical information

The uphill and downhill sections are difficult. The other trails are generally very good.

The passage between (8) and (9) is rather difficult (especially in wet weather). It is possible to continue on the small tarmac road leading to the hamlet of La Pourchinte. Continue along Rue de La Pourchinte to the bridge over the Aa, where you return to the normal route.

More than ever, it's important to set off with the right kit and preferably armed with one or two sticks.

There was a welcoming café in Elnes (03 21 39 62 96)

In the nearby area

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
michel tout court
michel tout court

thanks for the info

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joorange
joorange

This is a recurring problem on this route.
I've informed Suricate.
Generally speaking, Lumbres town hall is quite responsive.

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michel tout court
michel tout court

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A superb walk with everything you could wish for: narrow paths, steep gradients, woods, hamlets and, of course, beautiful scenery.
In Elnes, the café du Centre very kindly welcomes walkers who want to picnic on their terrace.
We had trouble on 2 sections where nettles and brambles had taken over. The authorities have not yet done anything to maintain these paths. They run from hill 113 to the D132 at Fourdebeques and uphill from point 12 to 13.
Thanks to RB

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riquita
riquita

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very nice walk (we took it in the opposite direction by mistake!!!) in lovely, warm sunshine. The scenery was very varied: cultivated plateaux (rapeseed in flower) with straight paths that were a bit monotonous but we enjoyed the views, small paths on hillsides that were sometimes steep, a few hamlets we passed through, a picnic on a bench in the shade near the school.
We had no problems whatsoever.
Thank you for this beautiful, challenging route in places. For us, it was a 6-hour walk.

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joorange
joorange

I've changed the route (temporarily?) after point 11 because the path up from Fourdebecques is impassable.
I've informed the Lumbres Tourist Office and it should be cleared up.

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MatEnVadrouille
MatEnVadrouille

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We started the loop at Elnes at point 9 and finished at the same point.
As it was getting dark quickly, at the end of the day we skipped the small barrier at point 6 and went straight back down to the GRP (which has been converted into a greenway) and so from point 6 to point 9, I'm not in a position to give you an account of it.

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joorange
joorange

When I returned to this route, the trickiest part was the return to the hillside at point 8.
The passage over the fence was borderline dangerous because of a "slightly" wobbly post.
I had reported the problem and I wonder if it has improved.
As I'd also reported the problems caused by brambles, which occur again in winter, I'm more than sceptical.
If you can give me some information, I'll see if I need to contact Meerkat.

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MatEnVadrouille
MatEnVadrouille
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A great way to discover this area, with a high proportion of paths and beautiful views.
We forced ourselves not to use our smartphones to follow the route, which was very well described and the map was accurate enough to help us find our way.
At point 5, the grassy section (former railway line) has been converted into a greenway with a stabilised surface.
Just after point 12: the route is still busy and narrow for the last 200m of the climb. Fortunately, the brambles were less developed in January than they need to be later in the season.

A very nice route even in winter
Thanks Joorange

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joorange
joorange

I returned to this route at the beginning of August and had the same thoughts (especially as the ground was quite wet!).

Most of the difficulties are on marked trails (???) at the Lumbres trail base. I've just e-mailed a report.

To be continued...

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NikoStet
NikoStet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Walk completed in dry weather on 20 August 2021. The route was easy to follow. The various climbs will satisfy those who enjoy a sporty route. The scenery was varied and a real plus for this walk. Nevertheless, the various sections described as not very popular were sometimes at the limit of what was practicable (very steep descent, fortunately not very slippery as the weather was dry. There was also dense vegetation, including brambles, which could be a real turn-off.) Overall, a good impression.

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nord
nord

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant and varied walk. And for our defined flat country region, the different gradients are impressive and add a bit of spice. Remarkable view over the heights for a picnic.
I recommend this walk.

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Anquez
Anquez

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

An excellent route with beautiful paths and good gradients. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Joorange for his many interesting contributions. Well done Joorange.

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denise.g
denise.g

I don't blame you, it was a simple observation.
Denise.g

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joorange
joorange

For point 4: I can't think of anything clearer than "turn left then immediately right". I mention the signs, but neither Visorando nor I are responsible for them. But when you see a mark, it makes it safer.

At point 12, if I say go straight ahead and the path isn't straight ahead, that can be a problem. So I indicate "slightly to the right" to help: it's opposite, but with a slight offset.
As for the path that goes off to the left at this point, it seems to me that it's vaguely tarmac and that it leads to a small road. So it's of little interest to me.

Having said that, if you know how to use a map, you can very easily modify a route to your liking.
Personally, I do it quite often.

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denise.g
denise.g

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

I mainly use the directions and the map, but two points caused us problems
- at point 3/4, at the cemetery, the T-junction is a dilemma because you end up with GRP signposting to the right, whereas the direction is noted at G and there is no GRP!!! you find the signposting further up (and what's more, there are 2 paths to the G!)
- at point 12, after a good climb, the words "slightly to the right" are ambiguous
it would be better to go L and then after about 300m turn R to reach Campagnette, it's easier.
you say not to mention the signs, but you do indicate them, so we're supposed to use them........

That's why we had to make the walk longer, which wasn't a problem in itself, but you have to be careful.
The walk was very interesting and the section through the Elnes hills was great, with beautiful views.

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