View of Cap-Blanc Nez with a family posted at the marked viewpoint of the cape. ©Nohcab

Short walk or long hike around Calais

What could be better than a walk in the fresh air to breathe and feel reborn? As a couple, with friends or family, walking is always beneficial for the body and mind, whether you go on long hikes or short strolls. From the seaside and its white chalk cliffs, to the green hills of the hinterland to the maritime plain, you discover open landscapes, immense spaces and finally take the time to walk at your own pace, to breathe, to listen to the sounds of nature and to breathe in its scents. We have selected several itineraries that will allow you to best discover the atmosphere and landscapes of this territory of the Opal Coast.

Discover the Grand Site of the Two Caps on foot

Cap Blanc-Nez side

For a quiet stroll or a Sunday afternoon stroll When you don't feel like rushing, opt for the Belvédère du Cap Blanc-Nez walk (1 km from the car park on the RD 940 but avoid in the middle of summer or during the May and June bank holidays as they are very busy!), you can also walk along the Sangatte sea wall promenade (4,7 km round trip), or go down to Escalles beach from the Cran d'Escalles car park (1,2 km round trip)

For small or large hikes, you have several routes from Sangatte and Escalles, on each side of Cap Blanc-Nez, choose your side! Good news, both circuits take you to the top of Cap Blanc-Nez at 134 meters above sea level and you discover the XXL panorama over the English Channel. A breath of sea air guaranteed!

View of the marked trails of Cap Blanc-Nez with the sea and the coastline on the right side and the meadows on the left. ©Nohcab
white cap nose stops dover patrol ©Nohcab
The Opal Coast seen from above

North slope

Les Hauts de Sangatte Trail – 7.5 km from the Hubert Latham car park on the RD 940 – yellow markings

Stopovers

South slope

Les balcons d'Escalles trail – 7.8 km from the Haute-Escalles car park on the RD 243 – Yellow markings

Between the White-Nose and the Grey-Nose

The route between Cap Blanc-Nez and Cap Gris-nez following the coastal path (GR 120) is one of the must-sees of the site. You can choose to go by the beach at low tide or by the top of the cliff, but the variety of colors and landscapes, between beaches, dunes and cliffs allows you to get away from it all year round. Other short hiking trails exist.

Moreover, if you want to try Nordic walking, you are in the right place because on the large site of the 2 caps, the house of the two-Caps site offers introductory and group practice sessions every Friday from April to November. 3 Nordic walking loops are also available from the maison du site des deux-Caps: green route — 5.2 km, blue — 6.5 km, red — 9 km. The “La nordique de Sangatte” association also offers outings all year round to its members.

Sangatte Bleriot Beach

From Blériot-Plage

The dike path — 10.5 km
The path, the beach, the dune, Mr Blériot — 8 km – Yellow markings.

In the air and in the water

From the center of Peuplingues

The trail of funds — 11.5 km which passes close to the entrance to the Channel Tunnel – Yellow markings – to be avoided in rainy weather!

Some good reflexes

For the good of all, adopt good behavior!

Respect natural spaces by staying on marked trails, gKeep animals on a leash for their safety and that of others. cash who populate the places.

Similarly, adopt a discreet attitude and do not approach wild animals, they can be appreciated from a distance. Let the wildflowers grow for everyone to admire

Are you planning to eat on site during a picnic? Pick up trash and do not light fires.

Finally, if you want to preserve the beauty of the places like us and contribute to limit the effects of the passage, use public transport as much as possible (opt for line 5 Div'in or regional line OSCAR 427).

Wide Open Spaces and Wateringues

North of Calais, we are already on the maritime plain announcing Flanders and its drainage channels, the watergangs or wateringues, which crisscross the landscape. The beach of La Huchette in Hemmes de Marck is special in several ways because the foreshore is immense, so much so that at low tide you can barely see the sea! Puddles and small muddy pools are home to remarkable flora and fauna.

A discovery route has been marked out by the Conservatoire du Littoral from the car park of the sand yachting base to discover what is called Fort Vert Natural Area which extends to the gates of Calais — 4,5 km. Remember to bring your binoculars to observe the Walde lighthouse (a sea light on metal feet classified as a Historic Monument since June 2022), the school of seals and the seabirds that rest at its foot when the tide goes out.

Along the coastline, towards Marck, the natural area of ​​Fort Vert reveals dunes, marshes, polders and foreshores in this photo. ©Nohcab
The unspoilt beach in the foreground gives way to the sea and the Walde Lighthouse which marks the separation between the North Sea and the English Channel. ©Nohcab

The Walde Lighthouse is an important map point because it is the geographical boundary between the English Channel and the North Sea! Two observatories are installed on the path that follows the line of the Royal and Taff dikes which date from the 17th and 18th centuries. They separate the fossil dune cordon, at the back, from the more recent dunes. Their presence facilitated the creation of a vast polder, thus constituting an interesting meadow environment from a landscape point of view. On the way back, you find the GR du littoral.

Another suggestion for a short hike nearby, the route of the Marie Grouette du Bandick  — 12km (yellow markings) which runs along the aerodrome, starting from the parking lot of the Aigrettes farm in Marck.

In the countryside, storming the Boulonnais hills

If you want to be a little quieter and sheltered from the wind, the routes in the countryside, behind the coast, will allow you to discover quiet villages nestled on the first hills of the Boulonnais buttonhole… this will revive memories for the “middle-aged” people when they were on the school benches in geology class! Joking aside, it is often these same people with silver hair that we find on the paths walking at a good pace while chatting quietly! What energy!

Several circuits are marked on the heights of Calais but it is better to travel them when the weather is dry and rather in summer when the fields of cereals and flax still wave in the light wind… in autumn, the fields are bare and the paths more humid, the experience may be less pleasant but remains entirely possible. Do not hesitate to cross the village of Bonningues lès Calais to enjoy a break at the Refuge Gourmand bar / restaurant / Grocery store or at the media library La Rose des Vents which offers an interesting cultural program throughout the year.

Towards the hills, along the coast to return to Boulonnais, the picturesque villages reveal their treasures to you!
Sunny view of the stained glass windows of the church of Bonningues-Lès-Calais ©Nohcab
Hames boucres

From Hames-Boucres

The Leulingue trail — 7.5 km and the Tournenoire Board — 16.5 km, the start is common from the parking lot of the Salle des fêtes. Yellow markings.

 

To see: St Martin's Church and Hames Castle. Planche Tournoire is the longest of our circuits and will take you to the village of Guines, known for the History of the Cloth of Gold Camp but also for its magnificent forest!

In the air and in the water

From Pihen les Guines

The ridge trail — 8.5 km (yellow markings) from the town hall.

 

Places to see: the Commonwealth military square in the cemetery behind the church and the old mill at the exit of the village towards Bonningues-lès-Calais.

Saint Tricat

From Saint-Tricat

The marsh loop 10.5 km (yellow markings) from the town hall.
 
Places to see: the town hall of Nielles-les-Calais and the Sainte Victoire chapel.