The marsh path in Nortkerque

fr

This trail takes you to one of the four villages of the Pays du Brédenarde, Nortkerque, which translates as "Church of the North". Geologically, the ancient Pays du Brédenarde is made up of a layer of clay overlying the chalk that dominates the coastal plain. It's a land of wooded countryside, hedgerows, fruit trees and livestock. In the past, Brédenarde also included the communes of Audruicq, Zutkerque and Polincove.

Technical sheet

n°2802796
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.23 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 8 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 8 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 10 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1 m
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Photos

Towpath
Canal from Calais to St Omer
In the Nortkerque countryside
Château de la Vicomtesse

Description of the walk

Park in the car park opposite Nortkerque town hall.

(S/E) Opposite the town hall, turn left for a few metres, then left again into Rue Edmond d'Artois.

(1) Turn right into Rue de la Liette. Cross the level crossing and take the left-hand path which runs alongside the railroad line and then away from it.

(2) Turn right and follow the canal from Calais to Saint-Omer.

(3) Take the Rue Droite and then the left-hand path. Drive along the wooded, private plots reserved for hunting huts; the area is marshy.

(4) Cross the footbridge and continue straight ahead. Then turn right and cross the bridge.

(5) Just after the power line, turn right into Rue Ferdinand Piers, and continue until you reach the D224.

(6) Turn right and follow the road with caution. Pass under the railroad line.

(7) At the corner of the garage, turn right and follow the tracks.

(8) Keep left on Rue Monecove. Once back on the D224, turn right along the road which will take you back to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 9 m - Mairie de Nortkerque, car park
  2. 1 : km 0.77 - alt. 3 m - Rue de la Liette
  3. 2 : km 2.27 - alt. 2 m - Canal de Calais
  4. 3 : km 3.61 - alt. 2 m - Rue Droite
  5. 4 : km 4.45 - alt. 2 m - Gateway
  6. 5 : km 6.35 - alt. 6 m - Rue Ferdinand Piers
  7. 6 : km 6.8 - alt. 7 m - D224
  8. 7 : km 7.52 - alt. 6 m - Garage
  9. 8 : km 8.28 - alt. 7 m - Rue Monecove
  10. S/E : km 9.23 - alt. 9 m - Mairie de Nortkerque, car park

Practical information

More information at www.tourismeaudruicq-oyeplage.fr

In the nearby area

Église Saint-Martin and the Arc de Triomphe
Église Saint-Martin was built in 1838. A bell tower was not added until 1932. The steeple is in the art-deco style. This style is based on the use of simple geometric shapes and proportions. In the cemetery, you can see a triumphal arch dating from 1754, leading to the presbytery (1753). Also noteworthy is the war memorial by Edward Lauteri (1848/1917).

Château de la Vicomtesse
This château was built in the 17th century. The Countess de Valois lived here for many years. The castle's proportions are reminiscent of the Golden Rule of the Knights Templar, with its 18 paned windows and Masonic pediment, the triangle of which indicates the welcome that would be reserved for visitors of the same diocese.

Château de la Palme
This castle dates back to the 18th century. Set in a green setting, it is a testament to the commune's aristocratic past.

The Calais-Saint-Omer canal
30km long, this canal has linked the Aa river to the town of Calais since the 17th century, shortening the route for barges that used to use the Mardyck canal and the Rivière d'Oye. Although barge traffic is less intense than it would've been in the past, one or two boats can still be seen passing through every day.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 11 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.8 / 5
Route interest
3.8 / 5
User 10620313

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

The footbridge across the canal no longer exists after the floods. So you have to continue on the road for a while.

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Brigitte95
Brigitte95

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

The footbridge that must be used was non-existent the day we were there.
The route is particularly challenging on small roads.

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tatalia
tatalia

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

no particular difficulties - the section along the canal is very pleasant - the road crossing sections are less so

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christophebr
christophebr
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A short, half-urban, half-rural circuit.

Start on the road opposite the town hall.

Nice sections along the Canal de Calais.

All in all, a good little walk (you can do it in considerably less time than indicated) in Nortkerque.

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Premgun
Premgun
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Nice route with no difficulties. Perfect description and map.
Discover 2 beautiful manor houses.

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BenBay
BenBay

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Quite an interesting walk, with the presence of 2 classical-style manor houses dating from the 17th and 18th centuries at the start of the route, in Rue Edmond d'Artois, which is surprising for a village in the Ardresis!
On the other hand, the last few kilometres are less interesting, as you have to walk along the busy RD on the grassy verges, even though there is plenty of space and little danger from cars.

This route is best done in cool, dry weather, as it takes you for several kilometres through fields on damp, grassy dirt roads.

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Plume123
Plume123

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

There's a slight problem at the start. With your back to the town hall, the road is on the right along the car park.
The least popular part is the departmental road, which is very busy.
Very pleasant and quiet walk. Could be done again with a change to the road section.

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Julien-42
Julien-42

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Green, quiet, well-described walk.

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MAMIEJO
MAMIEJO
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant and very easy walk.

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Juju5905
Juju5905
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A very good, well-marked walk

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STaniel
STaniel
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

A great little hike, ideal for gently winding down!

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