Fartz trail

fr

Located in a protected natural area, the Fartz trail, dotted with bird observatories, lets you discover all the flora and fauna of Wissant bay.

Technical sheet

n°114393
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.60 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 29 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 35 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 35 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 6 m
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Photos

cormorants seen from the observatory
Cormorants seen from the observatory.
Cormorants seen from the observatory between the start and point 2
between marsh and tide

Description of the walk

Park near the Tourist Office of La Terre des deux Caps.

(S/E) Take Rue Carrier-Belleuse to the second stop sign. Cross the street and take Impasse Portus Itius to reach the path.

(1) Cross the chicanes and follow the yellow markings into the heart of the protected site. Reach the Motte du Bourg car park.

(2) Go straight ahead along the D940 to reach Motte du Bourg. Enjoy the panorama from the top of the bluff.

(3) Return to the previous junction by the same route.

(2) Turn left, going along the pond before reaching the car park on the downstream dune.

(4) Cross the car park and take the path across the dune to the dam. Continue along the dam to Square Blanc-Nez.

(5) Turn right onto Rue du Professeur Leloir to reach the Tourist Office (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 15 m - Tourist Office
  2. 1 : km 0.68 - alt. 25 m - Junction with the signposted path
  3. 2 : km 1.86 - alt. 16 m - Motte du Bourg car park
  4. 3 : km 2.21 - alt. 35 m - Panorama of the Motte du Bourg
  5. 4 : km 3.48 - alt. 13 m - Parking de la dune
  6. 5 : km 4.27 - alt. 6 m - Square Blanc-Nez
  7. S/E : km 4.6 - alt. 15 m - Tourist Office

Practical information

Binoculars recommended.

In the nearby area

Viewpoint at Motte du Bourg over the Tardinghen marshes.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 35 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
User 7535874

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Nice little circuit

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waki89
waki89

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

Interesting if birds are present!

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Michel Ta
Michel Ta

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very nice walk with no major difficulties.

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Fremel57
Fremel57

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : May 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Busy trail : No

Family walk, not very interesting at the time we did it. No birds to see, just a bit of flora to observe.

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Fred 6259
Fred 6259
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very pleasant family outing
The "viewpoint" stops make for great photo opportunities and give nature lovers a chance to observe the flora and fauna (if you have a pair of binoculars, you'll appreciate this even more).
We did this short walk between sunny spells and rainy spells, but it worked its charm and we all have very fond memories of it.
We'd definitely recommend it.

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michael.jaspart
michael.jaspart

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Very nice route. The first part goes around the ponds but you can hear the cars on the road that runs alongside the path. The second part is the most beautiful and peaceful through the dunes with a beautiful plunge towards Wissant.

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Anne et Andy
Anne et Andy

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

A lovely, easy walk on a bad-weather day.

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balloum62
balloum62

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

This is a very pleasant walk for the whole family, with a number of viewpoints on offer. I recommend that you take your binoculars if you have them. The only downside is that the path runs close to the coastal road and the noise of the cars is quite noticeable in the second half of the walk.

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Bertrand florence
Bertrand florence

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

The route is now well signposted, with small blue signs reading "sentier du Fartz". There is no risk of getting lost. In February during the week and outside the school holidays, the trail was little used. We enjoyed walking it. We visited all the observatories except one, which was more out of the way. We had never seen so many cormorants at once around the ponds. The trees are white with bird droppings. It was a strange, surreal winter spectacle.

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starla_cerrys
starla_cerrys

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

A very quiet route, well protected from the wind by hedges and a small path all along the way. Very easy for children to follow and do, with birdwatching points along the way. We regretted that there weren't more viewpoints, and that the last part of the circuit along the sea was forbidden to dogs.

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Anouchka
Anouchka

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant route that allows you to enjoy the natural sites around Wissant. The view from the Motte du Bourg hill is well worth the effort. The route is signposted, so it's easy to follow. It's nice to finish the walk by the dyke.

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BRUNEEL Dominique
BRUNEEL Dominique

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

We came with a group of cardiac sufferers but the end of the route, with its stairs and sand, was difficult for some of our members.

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patman59310
patman59310

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A short, very quiet circuit during the week, around a magnificent pond... populated by hundreds of birds.

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MagDalie
MagDalie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 08, 2020
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Superb walk!
I made it a bit longer by going back and forth to the observation points, which are not included in the map route and which are worth the diversions to admire several waterholes via the sheds... but that's only about 1 km more, so I recommend doing it all.

The only slight difficulty is the sand on the last stretch, before the dyke... when you're wearing open-toe trainers, you quickly get stuck in the sand! But in closed hiking shoes, it's perfect.

I really loved the scenery, the nature, the views over Wissant Bay from the Motte du Bourg, and the end of the walk which opens out onto the sea and the sea wall. Really nice!
I wasn't able to see too many birds because it was already too hot I think, but depending on the time of your walk, it should be possible.

Thanks for sharing, I recommend it +++!

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nowinski
nowinski

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Not too difficult a walk, despite a sandy section. You can admire the fauna and flora of the sea, while taking in the seaside. Then stop along the way to observe the reserve's birds, nestling among the ponds.
It's a varied route, set in a magnificent and relaxing landscape.
This walk is not signposted, but the map is sufficient.
I recommend this very fine walk.

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