Trefcon walks

Twenty-eighth stage from the Jura to Hauts-de-France via the Francigena. From Seraucourt-le-Grand, you cross the Somme for a stage along the river that takes you into the cultural heart of Picardy, through the Pays du Vermandois, dotted with marshes and hills covered in fields and scattered copses.

A very easy walk or cycle – whether on a road bike or mountain bike – refreshing in summer and full of beautiful colours in autumn, along the Sambre–Oise Canal (the Stevenson Route on EuroVelo 3) and past the ponds. Discover the Art Deco heritage found in the villages. There’s the option to visit a museum, the Maison de Marie-Jeanne – an absolute must-see and the real icing on the cake of this route.

Leaving Aubencheul-aux-Bois, leave the hustle and bustle of the main roads behind you and immerse yourself in peaceful countryside. The sunken lanes, lined with hedgerows and fresh meadows, invite you to slow down and rediscover the rhythm of the countryside. As you pass through Gouy, you will come across thatched farmhouses and secret orchards where birdsong reigns supreme. The paths undulate beneath your feet and offer unexpected views of the surrounding hills. Further on, Le Câtelet comes into view around a bend: its flower-filled lanes and small local heritage sites exude a discreet charm, with weathered stones and colourful doors. The final stop in Vendhuile rewards walkers with a setting of golden fields and shady groves. Between generous nature and rural heritage, this circuit is a real journey back in time.

Put on your walking boots and set off from Gonnelieu to immerse yourself in the gentle vastness of the Picardy plains. The paths lined with hedgerows invite you to stroll under a vast sky where birdsong sets the pace for your steps. At the bend in the road at Gouzeaucourt, let yourself be surprised by the shade of the forests, silent reminders of the battles that shaped this land. Continue on to Villers-Guislain, where green valleys and rural bell towers offer a refreshing break between nature and history. Between discreet heritage and soothing landscapes, this route reveals all the poetry of small rural heritage.

An easy route through the Linière Valley and the Gransart Valley, Leforest and the Maurepas National War Cemetery. Ideal for families. Picnic spots available at two locations.

Put on your walking boots and leave Banteux behind for a walk that combines gentle countryside and rural discoveries. Very quickly, the sunken paths lead you to Vaucelles, a setting of meadows dotted with apple trees and green hedges, where birdsong accompanies your steps. Continue towards Bantouzelle, a village with discreet charm, then head towards Honnecourt-sur-Escaut, where the tranquil river reflects off the old stones. Between hedgerows, rivers and secret gardens, this route promises a peaceful break, in tune with nature and local traditions.

In the heart of Vermandois, a path stretches for several kilometres, linking Brancourt-le-Grand to Fresnoy-le-Grand. Between cobbled streets and grassy paths, this long walk invites you to discover the striking contrast between the hustle and bustle of village life and the tranquillity of the surrounding fields. All along the route, the red brick architecture contrasts with the open horizons of meadows and groves. At every turn, let yourself be surprised by an old gate, a blossoming orchard or the discreet song of a stream, for an authentic immersion in the soul of Vermandois.

Starting from Vaucelles Abbey (a Cistercian abbey listed as a historic monument), which you won’t want to miss visiting, you’ll enjoy the charm of a stroll along the Saint-Quentin Canal, then discover the magnificent views over the Cambrésis plains.

Leaving Malincourt, the path opens up to wide horizons where crops sway in the wind. Nature offers its sweet scents and changing colours, inviting you to slow down and savour every moment. Heading towards Villers-Outréaux, the walk is punctuated by hedgerows and small country roads, sometimes lined with ancient trees that seem to watch over travellers. Here, the silence is broken only by birdsong and the rustling of leaves. A simple and authentic hike, ideal for immersing yourself in rural tranquillity and rediscovering the discreet charm of the Cambrai landscape.

Immerse yourself in a route where every step blends history, nature and the discreet charm of the North: starting from Serain, let yourself be drawn to the medieval remains of Beaurevoir before reaching the peaceful paths of Ponchaux. The route then continues to Vaux Le Prêtre, offering a succession of shady woodland, bucolic pastures and unexpected panoramic views of the Serre valley. Carefully signposted, this return route takes you back to Serain via a series of small roads and country lanes. Between a stop near the Beaurevoir fountain and the rustic charm of the Ponchaux farms, your senses will be constantly awakened: birdsong, the scent of the heath and the silhouettes of bell towers on the horizon punctuate this escapade, which is accessible to all.

Put on your best walking boots and leave Prémont behind to immerse yourself in a green setting where hedgerows and meadows flourish at every turn. The paths, guardians of a thousand rural secrets, will guide you to Becquigny, a little haven where birdsong punctuates the tranquillity of the place. Then head for Bohain-en-Vermandois, a town of brick buildings and contrasts, where the history of textiles is revealed around every corner of its lively streets. Between authentic heritage and bucolic landscapes, this loop promises a refreshing break full of character.

From the tranquillity of Dehéries, the path winds its way through a mosaic of fields where soft green blends with the golden crops. The trails gently meander to Walincourt-Selvigny, the beating heart of the region, where the bell tower watches over the brick facades and lively little squares. As you pass near Caullery, the countryside opens up to wide horizons, dotted with hedges and sunken paths that smell of the earth. Then comes Élincourt, nestled like a discreet haven, where the gentle landscapes invite you to slow down. This itinerary combines rural authenticity and tranquillity, ideal for savouring the simple charm of the villages of the Cambrésis region.

Let yourself be carried away on this walking trail that winds its way through changing fields and farmsteads, living witnesses to the rural history of the Cambrésis region. Here, the colours change with the seasons: the gold of ripe wheat, the soft green of spring, the warm browns of autumn. Each step offers a breath of fresh air: the scent of hedges, the distant song of larks, the tranquillity of sunken lanes. More than just a walk, this is a break where you can enjoy the gentleness of a landscape shaped by time and human hands.

The Bois des Loges was the scene of fierce fighting at the beginning and end of the First World War. Starting from the monument that pays tribute to the soldiers who fell in the area, as well as a stele in honour of a soldier who was shot there as an example, this hike, mainly through fields, retraces the painful history of these places.

From Ligny-en-Cambrésis, take the paths that wind towards Haucourt, then Caullery, before reaching Clary. Along the way, rolling fields blend with country hedges and farmhouses with weathered walls. Each village reveals its peaceful lanes and authentic character, while birdsong and the scent of the seasons accompany your steps. This is a walk where simplicity becomes richness, inviting you to savour the tranquillity of the landscapes and the discreet warmth of the rural heritage.