Villers-au-Bois walks

This walk will introduce you to this charming village in Artois and its surroundings. Following good paths across the plains and through the woods, you will reach the entrance to Mont Saint-Éloi, with a view of the old abbey.

A fairly classic route around Mont-Saint-Éloi (the area is very well signposted), with three less-travelled sections to Villers-au-Bois. It's a bit winding (not intuitive, as one of my friends always says), but it allows you to take a few less-frequented paths.

This walk from Carency takes you through Villers-au-Bois between plains and woods without any great difficulty. Carency was a seigneury until around 1620, then became a barony until 1665 before becoming a marquisate.

This walk is loosely based on the "Sentier des Pierres du Diable" (Devil's Stone Trail), but allows you to discover, alongside the famous Devil's Stones, the magnificent Mont-Éloi Abbey, the Écoivres war cemetery, the churches of Écoivres, Acq and Mont Saint-Éloi, and the Acq mill.

This walk starts in Écoivres, a hamlet in Mont-Saint-Éloi, and takes you through the surrounding villages. Don't forget to visit the Droites Pierres (Straight Stones), or Pierres du Diable (Devil's Stones) according to legend, and climb up to the old abbey.

A walk along the Saint-Nazaire, through the wooded hills of Artois and the Lorette War Memorial (1914-1918).

This hike in the Artois plain will take you along good paths to Villers-Châtel and its castle, park and cave, where you can enjoy the surrounding landscapes, biodiversity and heritage.

During this walk, you'll enter a beautiful region that was devastated by the 1st World War. More than 180,000 people lost their lives during the Battle of Artois, which began in May-June 1915. This walk starts at the edge of a cemetery where 44,000 soldiers of all origins are buried. Many more are, and will remain, buried forever beneath the beautiful landscapes you're about to cross.

Randonnée qui va vous emmener sur les hauteurs de Bouvigny à travers bois et plaine. Faites un arret à l'oratoire entre le point 4 et 5

Lots of paths, a beautiful crossing of the Bois (with decent tracks) and a beautiful view as you reach the plateau (but frequent fog in autumn). 2021: I've gone back to the original route, which is more pleasant.

Randonnée variée autour Aix-Noulette et au pied de Notre-Dame-de-Lorette.

This is a reworking of an existing route, part of which has unfortunately disappeared due to lack of maintenance. The route through Aubignyen-Artois has also been modified to take the old, less busy streets, and a return trip to Villers-Châtel has been added to admire the church and castle.The circuit is done in the opposite direction to the signposting, which allows you to start with the most urban part.See practical information

This route will delight you with its diversity of landscapes. Enjoy some panoramic views and the ancient abbey of Mont Saint-Eloi. (19) See: practical information.

This hike takes you on the trail of the Great War, passing through Aix-Noulette and Notre-Dame-de-Lorette. From 15 May 1915 onwards, numerous battles raged between French and German forces. There were many dead and wounded on both sides.

After a fairly gentle start on wide farm tracks, the walk becomes more challenging as you cross the Bois des Bruyères in Angres, where the paths are very wet.Next comes the climb up Lorette, ending with a double crossing of the equally damp Bois de Noulette. ROUTE CHANGED IN SEPTEMBER 2025. However, as the trail between points 19 and 20 is very difficult in wet weather, I have noted the end of the old route, from point 15, in the practical information section.

This site represents Canada's most impressive memorial to its citizens who fought and gave their lives in the First World War. A strategic high point, offering breathtaking views of the coalfield and Artois hills.

Peu de goudron sur ce parcours qui permet d'arpenter les chemins du Bois des Bruyères et de faire le tour du Terril de Pinchonvalles. J'ai dû changer le départ car le beau chemin qui partait à gauche dans la Rue de l'Église est pour le moment (???) en chantier : nouveau lotissement en construction. Malgré toutes les promesses, on continue à bétonner les villes. Prions Ste Godasse et St Croquenot pour que ce chemin réapparaisse après les travaux.

Caucourt is a small village near Olhain.From the church, you cross pleasant plains and villages, especially on sunny days.Avoid this route in very hot weather, as it is not much shade; in rain or fog, the view won't be as good!... In the direction of the trail, you'll save the best until last, the Gué de Caucourt and its mill.

Long route with some fairly difficult trails.The trail between (3) and (4) is very difficult but can be avoided. It was passable at the end of September 2025 (dry period).There are a few road crossings, but with very little traffic.

Short route, on decently pathed paths, pleasant in all seasons (except in very wet weather) with a passage through the Gué de Caucourt. April 2024 :1- The Hermin council advises against using the path between points 10 and 11 until the end of 2025. At point (9) , go straight ahead to join point (11) . 2- The track between points (11)  and (12)  is particularly wet. It's okay, but you'll come out a little damp. It may be preferable to go straight ahead to reach the church, then turn right to rejoin the track at point (13) . 3- Very damp but short sections before and after point (4) 

This local hike will take you up to the heights of Coupigny, then past the Étangs des Claires Fontaines, the Corons Beclet and, of course, the slag heap. The hike is on good paths and offers beautiful biodiversity.

This hike takes you along good paths through Verdrel, Bracquencourt and Barlin's Cité n°9, without any major difficulties.A bit of history: Coupigny gave its name to a large noble family from Artois. Its official name appeared in 1801.

This short hike will allow you to discover the village of Grenay in a different light, with its green setting in this vast mining town and its miners' houses. It is one of the 353 sites in the mining basin listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A short walk on good paths in the hills above La Comté. On a clear day, the panorama is superb, and if you're luckier than me, you'll spot a few deer.

An easy hike on beautiful paths that will take you through Simencourt and Berneville. Warlus was the seat of a seigneury before the revolution. This hike in the plains, with a few wooded sections, is ideal for families.

An itinerary that will take you to Europe's king of slag heaps! You'll first discover the former 11/19 base with its headframes and mining buildings currently being converted. You'll also enjoy a few pleasant passages through the undergrowth.

This walk will introduce you to Arras, starting along the Scarpe river. You will then continue through the town and admire its monuments, from the citadel to the execution wall, the belfry and the main square.

This hike between plains and woods will take you to Barly Castle. Listed as a historic monument, it was built in 1780 by the Blin family. It is open to visitors today. You will also see Fosseux Castle, which was built in 1770 by Parisian architect Villetard at the request of Ferdinand Dubois de Hoves de Fosseux.