The Wavrans Valley

The Wavrans-sur-l'Aa nature reserve consists of two hillsides separated by a dry valley, Mont Carrière and Montagne d'Elnes. The chalky slopes of the reserve are steep and unusual for the region. They were also "sculpted" by the bombs of the Second World War.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.84 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 175 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 166 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 136 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 31 m

Description of the walk

Start: Start from Esquerdes town hall car park.

(S/E) Cross the Aa river and follow Rue du Pont Neuf. Turn right into Rue de l'Église. Walk past the church to the intersection of Rue de l'Église and Rue Pierre Brossolette, where you'll find a small chapel.

(1) Turn right into Rue de Wavrans, go straight on at the next crossroads and arrive at the Hangar Fauveaux.

(2) Turn left onto the stony track through the fields, which leads to the next intersection.

(3) Continue straight ahead towards Wavrans-sur-l'Aa on the Chemin du Val de Saint-Omer, a grassy path with a good incline. At the houses, go straight ahead at the crossroads and join another intersection 50m further on.

(4) Turn left onto an undergrowth track until you reach a farm.

(5) Turn right into Rue du Mont à Cheval, then immediately left into Rue du Beau Rivage Vedringhem. At the end of this street, cross the river Aa and turn left into Rue du Moulin. Turn left twice, follow Rue de la Belle Vue and join the D192 road. Keep left until you reach the supermarket.

(6) Make a left turn and continue on this uphill road for about 700m, ignoring all other directions. At one point, the sidewalk is very narrow and cars pass quickly.

(7) Arriving at a fork, turn left onto a field track to climb towards the wind turbines.

(8) When you reach the first wind turbine (on the right), continue left to pass the second wind turbine (on the left). You will then come to the Esquerdes woods, at an intersection with 3 branches.

(9) Go straight ahead at the edge of the wood, then continue on this path as it bends to the right into the undergrowth. Ignore the paths on either side to reach the end of a road.

(10) Follow it to the right as far as the railroad line. Cross to the other side of the railroad to come back.

(1) then return to the town hall parking lot (S/E) by the same route as on the outward journey.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 31 m - Aa (fleuve)
  2. 1 : km 0.38 - alt. 42 m - Chapel
  3. 2 : km 1.02 - alt. 72 m - Fauveaux Hangar
  4. 3 : km 3.12 - alt. 131 m - Continue straight head towards Wavrans
  5. 4 : km 3.83 - alt. 48 m - Turn left onto an undergrowth path
  6. 5 : km 4.68 - alt. 49 m - Turn right, Rue du Mont à Cheval
  7. 6 : km 6.44 - alt. 52 m - Make a left turn
  8. 7 : km 7.18 - alt. 90 m - At a fork, head left
  9. 8 : km 8.41 - alt. 127 m - First wind turbine on the left
  10. 9 : km 9.16 - alt. 128 m - Turn right
  11. 10 : km 10.52 - alt. 62 m - End of a road
  12. S/E : km 11.84 - alt. 31 m - Esquerdes town hall car park

Practical information

Start & Parking: Start from Esquerdes town hall car park.

Other walks in the area

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author. Do not copy them without permission.