Saint-Jans-Cappel walks

A bucolic tour through the wild hyacinths and wild garlic blooming in late April and early May. Discover the Mont Noir and Flanders (Saint-Jans-Cappel, view of Mont des Cats and Bailleul) through undergrowth, forest paths and small roads.

These three mountains watch over Bailleul, the capital of Flanders between Lille and Dunkirk: Mont des Cats, Mont de Boeschepe and Mont Noir, plus Mont Kokereel. From the top of these small hills (180m), you can enjoy views over the surrounding area. The route offers several points of interest, including Marguerite Yourcenar's house on Mont Noir, the Boschepe mill in the village of the same name, and Mont des Cats and its abbey of Cistercian monks, founded in 1826.

Departure and arrival at the car park of Loker Church via the countryside of Saint Jans Cappel and the Marguerite Yourcenar Nature Reserve at Mont Noir. Pass through the Douve Valley, which forms the border with France, and along Mont Rouge.

Departure and arrival at the car park of Loker church via the Westouter countryside. Crossing the Hellegatbos woods with a passage through the Trou de l'Enfer (Hell's Hole) on Mont Rouge. Passing near the Baneberg mill in Westouter. Crossing the Douve valley, which forms the border between France and Belgium. Crossing into France through the Mont Noir countryside in Saint Jans Cappel and the vineyards of Dranouter. Hike without description, to be followed with the Visorando app.

This walk will take you around the Mont des Cats along paths and back roads. It will reveal its viewpoints, its chapels, its heritage and its gentle slopes.

This is a route on which I had fun concentrating as many difficulties as possible (more than 400 m of elevation gain). This gives it a somewhat labyrinthine feel, but it allows you to avoid tarmac as much as possible. So you walk from peak to peak on well-marked, clean paths. The use ofthe Visorando app is highly recommended, even though the numbering system is very practical.

A long, slightly winding route to enjoy the beautiful Belgian trails, which are well maintained and clearly marked. Simple signposting: there are posts with numbers and an arrow indicating the number you want to go to (not easy to explain but obvious when you're there). Difficult route, even very difficult in wet weather.

Start and finish at the car park of the church in Dranouter via Monteberg, Lettenberg and Kemmelberg. Pass along the Monteberg vineyard and through the woods of the Kemmelberg provincial estate.

Start and finish at the car park of the church in Dranouter via Ravensberg in the Bailleul countryside. Pass by the Wijngaard Koudekot vineyard, which produces white, rosé and red wines. Hike without description to be followed using the Visorando app.

Short route on beautiful, well-maintained Belgian trails with good signage.Simple signposting: there are posts with numbers and an arrow indicating the number you want to go to (not easy to explain but obvious when you're there). In wet weather, some areas may be soggy or even very muddy.

A patchwork of different routes in the area for a long hike that will delight your thighs.As for the mountains, like the Musketeers, there are four (or even five, I forgot the Baneberg near the mill), as you climb Mont Noir twice.In short, a nice climb in the Flat Country on numerous paths and a few small, quiet roads. It's a demanding route, because even between the mountains, there are plenty of small hills. But, as is often the case in Belgium, the trails are well maintained and constantly being improved.

Start and finish at the car park of Dranouter church via Monteberg, the countryside of Kemmel and Loker. Pass by the vineyards of Monteberg, Kemmel and Loker. Pass by the French ossuary of the 1914-1918 war in Kemmel. Hike without description, to be followed with the Visorando app.

Departure from the car park of De Klijte church via Loker, Scherpenberg, Mont Rouge and Sulferberg. Hike without description to be followed using the Visorando app

Start and finish at the car parks of either De Klijte church or Loker via Scherpenberg, Sulferberg and the Mont Rouge nature reserve (Hellegatbos, or 'hole in the hill') with its De Kosmos recreation park. Hike without description, to be followed with the Visorando app.

Departure and arrival in De Klijte via Lettenberg, Kemmelberg, Monteberg and Scherpenberg. Crossing Scherpenberg and the Hellebeek nature reserve Passing close to the vineyards of Mont Kemmel, Mont Rouge and Mont Noir. Hike without description, to be followed on the Visorando app.

Departure from the car park of De Klijte church. Crossing Scherpenberg and the Hellebeek nature reserve. Passing close to the vineyards of Mont Kemmel, Mont Rouge and Mont Noir. Hike without description to be followed using the Visorando app.

Pass Notre Dame Church, follow Bassevillestraat, cross Zuidlindestraat and take Naaikorfstraat. Pass the Cense de l'Alouette vineyard. At the end, turn right onto Rue du Rossignol, then right onto Leeuwerkstraat and continue straight ahead onto the farm track, which can be quite muddy in winter.

Start and finish at the car park on the Grand-Place in Neuve Église, via the Ravensberg countryside in Bailleul. This route passes through muddy paths during winter, so it is advisable to do this hike in dry weather in summer. Hike without description to be followed using the Visorando app.

Departure and arrival at the car park on the main square in Neuve Eglise via the countryside of Ploegsteert and Wulvergem Passing close to the Cense de l'Alouette vineyard. In the shadow of Mount Kemmel, the view overlooks the Douve to the north and the Lys valley to the south. The vineyard was planted in 2018 Passing close to the church of Wulvergem.

Start and finish at the car park on the main square in Neuve Église via the countryside around Ploegsteert This route crosses a field and is therefore quite muddy in winter Passes close to vineyards: there are two vineyard plots on this route

Departure and arrival at the car park on the main square in Neuve Église. This route takes you through the countryside around Ploegsteert. The hike crosses a field and follows dirt paths through wet and muddy areas in winter. You can admire the Heuvelland countryside with its vineyards at the foot of the Kemmel and Monteberg mountains.

Start and finish at the car park on the main square in Neuve Église via the countryside of Ploegsteert and Nieppe The hike crosses a field and follows dirt paths through wet and muddy areas in winter. Pass through the Romarin district, which straddles France, Flanders and Belgium

This is an easy hike despite a section on Mont Kemmel with steep slopes and steps. The rest is pleasant, with sections through vineyards and views of the surrounding countryside.

Start and finish at the car park on the main square in Neuve Église. It is also possible to start from Wulvergem. Passing through Rosenberg, along dirt tracks and through fields that are wet and muddy in winter. The walk takes place near the Cense de l'Alouette vineyard. In the shadow of Mont Kemmel, it overlooks the Douve to the north and the Lys valley to the south.