Hiking Nord-Pas-de-Calais

In the heart of a hundred-year-old forest of maritime pines, poplars and alders, planted from 1855 to 1882 on 800 hectares of dunes, 50 km of marked forest trails are reserved for pedestrians. They allow you to discover, while walking, another facet of Le Touquet under its natural aspect, starting from the Palais de l'Europe. If you are tempted by the discovery of the bay, the Le Touquet villas and the local flora, take the Daphné or La Pomme de Pin trails which will offer you superb views at the price of a few short climbs and winding detours in the shade of the trees. The Feuille de Chêne trail crosses the forest to meet its rich flora and fauna. But the most beautiful walk to be done is certainly the long Argousier walk (plan a picnic!), which crosses dunes and goes along the sea.

This Voie Verte on the towpath along the Scarpe canal is a real pleasure to ride! Whether on foot or by bike, the Scarpe canal towpath is eight kilometers long. It has a stabilized dolomite surface, suitable for all types of bikes but not rollerblades. It's a safe way to reach these villages, and a number of nature parks will punctuate your strides or pedal strokes.

The Buckthorn is a 13 km walk to discover Le Touquet in natural surroundings. For this you go up the boulevard of La to the park of Canche Bay, where seals like to enjoy. Cross the sea for an hour to reach the dune area, south of the station. You will take a wide winding road that crosses the Dit À, and will bring you back gradually to the city. The plan for this hike is available at the Tourist Office.

During this 15 km loop around Hardelot castle, you will discover: the marshes of Condette, the regional nature reserve and the dune environment of Écault. On the historical side, the castle dating from the 9th century is now home to the Franco-British Entente Cordiale Center. A hike which oscillates between villages and seaside resorts. The whole constitutes a major reservoir of biodiversity and an ecological corridor for the region. There are 345 plant species in the marshes of Condette, several of which are considered as heritage!

Located at Oye-Plage, the Platier d'Oye Nature Reserve is the first French stopover for migratory birds. On this large flat area where dunes, sandy banks and stretches of water mingle, twenty species of mammals, such as the Highland Scottish cow, 230 species of birds and several species of amphibians, including the calamite toad and the green frog, live side by side. The flora is also richly represented, with 361 species, six of which are nationally protected. The hiker will recognize the oyat, a small plant used to fix the dune, the obione, the sea buckthorn or the Curtis violet. A unique place to observe the fauna and flora of the coast and a very nice walk to do with the family. Tip: when the weather is nice, bring a hat and sun cream as there are very few shady areas. And above all, take your binoculars to observe the fauna and flora more closely.

Leave from the church of Liessies to discover this path that goes around the departmental park of the abbey of Liessies. This path will satisfy both your desire for nature with its wet meadows, the Helpe, ponds and orchards, and your wish to discover the heritage of the region with the foothills of the Ardennes and why not visit the church of Saint-Jean. This route is perfectly adapted to family walks, the circuit can even be covered in a stroller.

A footbridge leads along the canal to the Chaboud-Latour pond. Don't forget your binoculars for bird-watching. The path continues towards the ramparts before returning to the town. The church of Saint-Wasnon, a listed historic monument, is well worth a visit. A little further on, you can see the Château de Baillleul, as well as the belfry and an old watermill. It's a hike that's both sporting and cultural!

A very beautiful and easy hike, easily accessible by bus from Douai: the Terrils of Escarpelle and Pâturelles. Entirely reserved for pedestrians, they are as much a precious testimony of the mining past of the region as a reason to walk in nature (which has reclaimed the place). From the top, you can see the town of Roost-Warendin, but also the headframe shaft which is clearly visible on the horizon. Recommended for families!

A natural site of an exceptional scale, which testifies to the way in which a former industrial environment can become, in the space of a few decades, a Natura 2000 labelled area! Between the ponds and the many migratory birds (which feel at home here), you can still see many traces of the old mine, including the headframe of the old Ledoux pit. Don't hesitate to make the tour of the ponds, a nice hike of 9 kilometers.

A walk on the Argales slag heap (and the surrounding area) is to observe the impressive metamorphosis of a former abandoned industrial site that has become a sensitive natural area. Here, lizards, fishermen and sportsmen have replaced the cars and cranes of yesteryear. It is a pleasure to walk around, to practice a little sport, alone or with the family, in this impressive setting. With facilities specially dedicated to sailing and mountain biking, there are many opportunities to get out and about, for fun and pleasure!

A nice hike through the wood of Lewarde, three kilometers long and that can be done easily in less than an hour: it is the circuit of the Wood of Lewarde. Ideal to discover the wooded and forested side of the region, you just have to follow the yellow PR markings or the (legendary) red and white GR 21 which follows the same route. As you walk along, keep an eye on the horizon: you may see the Centre Minier (mining center) coming into view!

On the territory of the municipality, you will find twohiking trails including the "sentier des Marais". Starting from the Place Salengro, this trail allows you to discover Beuvry, a green city and a nautical stopover, or if you have time, to explore the surrounding territory. Two loops are available, one of 6 km or a hike of 13 km of average difficulty. In the woods, in the spring, you are guaranteed to be delighted with the multitude of dragonflies.

The Bellenville estate offers four trails to discover a unique flora and fauna. As you walk along, keep an eye out and you may be lucky enough to discover the very fast kingfisher (it can reach 80 km/h!) or the very elegant grey heron. These wetlands are a precious asset for the region and make this place a major site of the Sensitive Natural Spaces. The four trails are short and suitable for everyone, enough to share a family walk in the heart of this teeming nature.

At the boundary of the Regional Natural Park of La Plaine de la Plaine, visit the municipality of Anhiers, where nature réapproprie gradually, a former village of war-ravaged miners between 1914 and 1918. Today, there are old installations such as concrete headframe of 1920. The post-industrial atmosphere plunges us into this past of social struggle, before resuming the walk on the banks of the Scarpe.

Tariff: free.

Distance: 7 km.

Difficulty: .

Markup: yellow.

Departure: at the church.

Walk a few kilometers to discover a often forgotten heritage that survived the Revolution. Strong from their respective past, admire the abbey of Des, or the farm of Du where the Tamboise family still resides! Cross the Good childhood, where the history and architecture of Crambésis left their mark. For the most curious, visit the Heritage Days, where farms and barns sometimes open their doors and invite you to share their know-how and visit their property.

Tariff: free.

Distance: 4,5 km or 12 km.

Difficulty: .

Departure: in front of the church

In less than three kilometres walk, discover the historic, architectural and urban heritage of the municipality of Boulogne-sur-Mer. From the museum-museum you will first address the historic city, then head to the lower town, the seafront and the port. From the Basilica of Notre Dame to the buildings of the Gambetta Wharf, the Place de la Resistance or the Hote theatre, Boulogne-sur-Mer reveals its many facets. Like what, combining exercise exercise and culture, it is indeed possible!

Tariff: free.

Distance: 2,9 km.

Difficulty: .

Enjoy the double sides of this hike between dunes and macadam. With wild air along the Parrot dune, where it makes good breathing and admiring the fauna and flora that thrives there. After reaching the calvaire of the missing sailors, let us take a few moments to enjoy a wonderful view to the Naturelle nature reserve, before going down to the city. Typically associated with the seaside, these are half-timbered houses with blue and white shades that one admire on the streets of Bray-Dunes.

Tariff: free.

Distance: 4 km.

Difficulty: .

Markup: yellow.

Departure: Place place.

We know the carnival and its capitalized streets, but what about all these people disguised? You are offered a walk through the history of the city and the Dunkerquois heroes. On 2.5 or 6 km, browse the pavements where many buildings are erected. The departure goes back to the port museum, from where you will already see the three Duchess Anne. Then the heritage goes: the Leughenaerest Tower, the Saint-Éloi church with the tomb of Jean Bart, famous privateer under Louis XIV triumphant the battle of Texel… We cannot quote everything, then on the way!

Tariff: free.

Distance: 5 or 6 km.

Difficulty: easy.

Departure: in front of the Port Museum.

In the heart of Flanders, criss-cross the cultural and architectural heritage of Bailleul, starting with Hôtel de Ville as well as a carillon Beffroy. You will cross the Leroy square where you can cross, proudly, the bust of the first woman elected to the French Academy, Marguerite Yourcenar. On a different theme, comtemplez the medieval appearance of the water tower, both keep and the city. An advice: be careful and raise your eyes, as Bailleul abounds in small architectural gems. Watch in particular the façades of the houses!

Price: free.

Distance: 2 km away.

Problem: easy.

What's more motivating than walking for the good cause? This is the goal of the "Anstaing for Telethon" hike every year. You're going to walk the heart of the heart and it'll get you back to the morale of knowing that, this time, you've also walked to help others.

Tariff: 3 €.

Distance: 8 km.

Departure: Polyvalente multipurpose hall, visit 9 h.

Difficulty: .