Hiking Côte d'Opale

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Bois des Forts is the green lung of the agglomeration of Dunkirk. You can discover it through its many trails, a nice opportunity to stretch your legs, but also to observe the different species of birds used to the site.

Tariff: 2 € with snacks, waffles and coffee included in the price.

Distance: 5 km or 10 km.

Departure: Visit the Polyvalente multipurpose Hall.

Difficulty: .

This 9 km long circuit, which takes a good two hours to complete, offers you a nice breath of fresh air. From Gravelines, walk along the river Aa via the Chenal dike to the beach of Petit-Fort-Philippe and its lighthouse, which you can visit in the afternoon. Then take the road again to find yourself in the Polder Park. A short tour through the green belt around the walled city and you are back at the starting point.

Set off from the forest house for a short hike. The Bois de Ballon trail owes its name to the first successful balloon crossing of the English Channel by aeronaut Jean-Piette Blanchard in 1785. He set off from Dover and landed on the edge of the Guînes state forest; the Blanchard column commemorates this event. Along the way, you'll find an adventure course with monkey bridges, giant swings and a 120-metre zip line!

Accessible to all, the sentier de la Colonne is a hike that plunges you into the Denacre valley, which is full of beautiful 19th century mansions and manor houses built of Baincthun stone. Farms, ponds and waterfalls also decorate this 8 km long trail. Don't miss the famous column of the Grande Armée, a 53-metre-high marble monument erected to the glory of Napoleon. It immortalizes the camp of Boulogne where 18,000 men were assembled by the emperor to prepare the invasion of England.

Mount Pelé, culminating at an altitude of 200 meters, and its neighbor Mount Hulin, dominate the commune of Desvres and the entire Boulonnais bocage. Starting from the parking lot of the Maison de la Céramique, the walk takes the hikers in a humid and shaded environment made of trees and shrubs as well as numerous streams. Once exploited for its chalk by the Société des Ciments de France, it is now returned to nature. Count 1h30 of hiking (3 km). There is an extension of the trail towards the town of Menneville to go to the Hulin mount (4,5 km).

Nature and history combine to create a panorama rich in discovery. Along the way, you may come across brown gulls, green woodpeckers, kestrels and laughing gulls, as well as numerous rabbits? The trail ends up on the Slack dunes, running towards Ambleteuse and its Vauban fort. You'll end up joining the Slack as far as its mouth at the Fort d'Ambleteuse. One of the most beautiful hikes you can do for the diversity of its landscapes.

From the Maison du Romelaëre, set out to discover the Audomarois region! This walk leads you through the marshes and the state forest of Rihoult, which covers nearly 1,200 hectares. Grey herons, wild boars, deer, and nocturnal birds of prey find refuge in this area of water, tall grass and trees. At the end of the forest, take the time to admire the church built in the ^19th century in the commune of Clairmarais and the old Cistercian abbey. Good to know: picnic areas are located along the walk.

Starting from the cliffs of the Sea, it is possible to rally Le Bois-de-Fm by the Foreshore as soon as the tide begins to fall, and then return to the summits via the Victor-Hugo panorama. Make sure you match the time required to go and the tides. Take this walk, preferably accompanied. Avoid walking at the very foot of the cliffs: chalk falls can occur, or even very dangerous landslides. Information from the Tourist Office.

Located between the cities of Leffrinckoucke and Zuydcoote, the Dewulf Dune covers about 300 hectares and is part of the dunes protected by the Conservatoire du Littoral since 1987. A mixture of wooded dunes, wetlands and dry dunes, it is home to nearly 70 species of nesting birds, several species of amphibians and 350 species of trees and plants. You will probably come across sheep and goats, which maintain the dune in an ecological way.

Discover the fortifications of Gravelines. The city was first fortified by the Dukes of Burgundy and the Kings of Spain. Its enclosure has corner bastions covered by a system of half-moons, deep ditches and counterguards. Vauban will slightly rework the structure of the fortress in the ^17th century. During your visit, don't forget to stop in the gardens and to take some time at the belvedere to admire the view.

You want to discover Bourbourg and its surroundings? Nothing better than to follow the walking tour of the Quathove. Start your walk in front of the tourist office and walk through the small streets of the city. Pass by the turret of the Withof, an old farmhouse that was once part of the destroyed castle. On your way, you will see the mountain of Watten and you will walk through the countryside surrounded by wateringues, this network of ditches created to drain the marshes and evacuate the water towards the sea. A nice walk between city and greenery!