Picardy walks

From Port du Hourdel, there is a coastal route that returns along the ponds and passes by the Maison des Oiseaux. Important note from one of our friends: please note that parking at Le Hourdel is subject to a charge, even in low season. However, the car park located between (3) and (4) was free when we went on our walk. It was therefore possible to start the walk from this new starting point.

A very bucolic walk in the heights of the French Vexin, passing close to the highest point in the Ile-de-France region. A beautiful forest to cross until you reach the house that was once inhabited by Sarah Bernhardt. Return through the fields across a beautiful landscape at the edge of Picardy.

Discover the rich heritage of the Automne Valley and its surroundings, Gallo-Roman ruins and the ruined Romanesque chapel of Champlieu, the churches of Béthencourt and Orrouy, and more. In addition, the route from hill to hill offers beautiful views of the countryside and the valleys you cross.

Walk in the heart of Le Hâble d'Ault, where it is advisable to bring a pair of binoculars to observe the birds.

From Château de la Borne Blanche to Abbaye d'Hérivaux, between ponds and forest.

A beautiful hike through the forests of Chantilly and Ermenonville on sandy paths lined with tall pine trees, giving it a Mediterranean charm.

The main destination of this hike is an imposing Neolithic dolmen. Passing through woods and fields, it also offers the opportunity to discover two charming villages in the Réveillon Valley.

This short walk of just under 6 km in and around Saint-Valery-sur-Somme is full of charm with its fishermen's streets lined with decorated and flower-filled houses, its sailors' calvary with views of the entire bay and the town, its quays along the Somme and its Saint-Valery Chapel, known as the Sailors' Chapel, not to mention its history with the Porte Jeanne d'Arc and numerous views of the Bay of Somme

This hike is mainly in the forest, favouring trails in hilly terrain. The circuit passes through large pine forests with undergrowth of heather and ferns providing a beautiful variety of colours. The ground is often very sandy, making it easy to hike in winter.

Chantilly is the largest racehorse training centre in Europe. The forest is criss-crossed by numerous galloping tracks that are usable all year round thanks to the quality of the sand. During this walk, you can appreciate the importance of this activity in the forest itself and in the plain bordering its northern edge. Beautiful views of the château, the Grandes Écuries and the Canal Saint-Jean add to the charm of the circuit.

From Jean-Jacques Rousseau Park to the druidic stones in the forest...

This hike, which is not particularly difficult, allows you to discover the cliffs of Ault and Onival beach to the north from the panoramic view of the Bois de Cise. Moderator's warning: Report of restricted access (January 2021) following a landslide on the cliff.

A bucolic walk on the edge of the French Vexin, between woods and fields, from hill to hill. Panoramic views of the Normandy countryside.

Discover two contrasting natural environments: the dry limestone grasslands covering the hill of Mont César and the marshes below. A varied route through the forest, poplar groves and fields.

On one of the sites of the ill-fated Chemin des Dames offensive of April 1917, this route is mainly through forest but with clear passages offering superb views that give an understanding of how perilous the operation was. The route through the site of the former village of Craonne, which was razed to the ground under a barrage of artillery fire, is particularly moving. The remains of Vauclair Abbey provide a beautiful heritage-filled end to the walk.

A 10-kilometre loop to be done on foot starting from Parc Chantemesse in Chambly. There are no major difficulties and the section along the river is very pleasant.

A beautiful walk in the Valois region between the forests of Retz, Compiègne and Senlis.

A lovely walk to discover the beautiful villas of Mers-les-Bains. Pass through the marshes before discovering Eu and its castle. A beautiful climb to the Chapelle Saint-Laurent to discover the Bois de Cise. Please note that the return route along the cliffs following thePR® trail, which offers beautiful views of the coast, is closed by municipal decree following recent cliff collapses. By keeping well to the left of the path, it is still possible to enjoy the views.

Discover a curious sight: a slippery rock where, according to legend, women used to slide down bare-bottomed to find out if they would have a baby that year! Whatever the truth of this legend, you can enjoy the beautiful forest atmosphere, heather-covered plateaus and a small rocky chaos with the famous rock.

If you want to go for a walk with the option of a dip in the sea halfway along the route, this is just what you need!

A short walk when you don't have time to go too far.

This loop, starting from Villers-Saint-Frambourg, takes place in the Forêt d'Halatte. The paved forest roads follow the dirt tracks. We climb Mont Pagnotte via the south face. After a long descent, we go around the mountain to climb it again, but this time via the north face. The ascent is less difficult as it follows a beautiful path. After a long descent, we return to our starting point.

This lovely walk takes you to a Neolithic menhir called the Pierre Frite, then to a small, well-preserved castle set in lush green surroundings. Beautiful rolling landscapes can be enjoyed throughout this hike.

This hike allows you to discover the beautiful Halatte Forest with its oak and beech trees and to get close to some of its curiosities. They all bear witness to human presence and activity since the dawn of time. Along the route, on the heights of Mont Pagnotte, beautiful views await you.

Most of the hike takes place on flat ground and in woodland, with a long stretch along the edge of lakes. It offers beautiful views of the Picardy countryside and the Oise valley. Passing through Précy-sur-Oise, Blaincourt-lès-Précy, Saint-Leu-d'Esserent and Villers-sous-Saint-Leu, you can discover some of the region's heritage gems.

A very pleasant hike in a forest area consisting mainly of coppice woodland, which is ideal for game. Encounters with large animals such as wild boar, roe deer, does and stags are therefore quite frequent. Don't hesitate to take your camera with you.

A hike through the woods to discover bluebells, the village of Villeneuve-sur-Fère where Paul Claudel lived, and a visit to the Hottée du Diable (a unique rock erosion site).

The Baie de Somme is magnificent. If you want to see seals, go sand yachting or horse riding on the sand, and you love the sea, dunes and footpaths, then this hike is for you.

This route through the Compiègne Forest will take you to the charming village of Saint-Jean-aux-Bois, a candidate for the TV show "The Most Beautiful Village in France", its abbey and, during a lovely, easy hike in the forest, the village of La Brévière and the Étang Sainte-Pérrine.

This is a pleasant walk to discover one of the most beautiful villages in France, Gerberoy. The walk mainly follows paths along the edge of forests or through woodland, making it a peaceful walk.

In the footsteps of Léon-Augustin-Lhermitte, painter of the peasants of Champagne, late 19th century. Walk up Mont-Saint-Père, passing by the Gland orientation table, then stroll along the Marne to finish up on the Chartèves hillside, a nature reserve where you can find around thirty plant species (orchids, etc.) and invertebrate fauna (spotted salamanders) and insectivorous birds.

A hike in a forest in Picardy where the pines loom large. There are also beautiful sites covered in heather and sandstone blocks. The soil, often sandy, allows for hiking in winter without difficulty.

A beautiful walk through the magnificent forests of Pontarmé and Chantilly, rounded off by a stroll through the town of Senlis with its remarkable architectural heritage. The open sections offer panoramic views of the Picardy countryside.

A shaded and easy hike through the woods and around Chantilly Castle, passing through the small villages of Courteuil and Avilly-Saint-Léonard with some points of interest such as the Table d'Apremont and, of course, the pleasure of seeing Chantilly Castle, its Grandes Écuries and its racecourse

A short walk around Boves to get a glimpse of the rolling, wooded landscape of the Picardy countryside. You will then discover the marshes of the Saint-Ladre pond nature reserve.

There is very little tarmac on this route , which is best done in dry weather.Discover La Cavée, ravaged by storms a few years ago and beautifully restored.A good stretch of the route is on the old railway line (well shaded) before descending to the beautiful village of Grouches-Luchuel.

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.

A fairly easy hike from Aumont-en-Halatte with a slight elevation gain, in the Halatte National Forest, skirting the village of Fleurines. Two beautiful viewpoints along the route, best enjoyed in summer when the weather is warm.

A shaded and easy hike starting from the small village of Courteuil, passing through the small village of Avilly with some points of interest such as the Table d'Apremont and, of course, the pleasure of seeing the Château de Chantilly, its Grandes Écuries and its racecourse

Discover the Domaine de Bertichères, whose magnificent Renaissance-style château has been listed as a historic monument since 1999. It houses a hotel. Its grounds include a very popular golf course. It belonged to the Counts of Chaumont, then to the Dukes of Longueville, then to the Princes of Conti. It was the residence of Monsieur, brother of King Louis XIV. On the way back, you will visit the Chapel of the House of the Sisters of Compassion to admire a 13th-century bas-relief before strolling through the small cemetery of the Sisters adjoining it.

This walk will introduce you to this small town, which has just been awarded the title of "Petite Cité de Caractère" (Small Town of Character). Before leaving the town hall, where the tour starts, discover the Raymond Pillon Museum of Archaeology and Palaeontology and its rich collection. The town, crossed by numerous waterways, is centred around the Place de la Foulerie, so named because, in the past, flax harvested in the surrounding countryside was fulled there. Throughout the tour, you will have numerous views of the magnificent 16th-century church, which resembles a small cathedral. If you wish, you can take this tour with a guide on thethird Sunday of each month at 3pm.

This hike takes you along a section of the GR®123 between Clairy-Saulchoix and Saveuse. This pleasant route crosses varied landscapes combining fields and forests. The route follows a section of the long-distance hiking trail linking Contes (Pas-de-Calais) to Carlepont (Oise), and offers a detour to the commune of Ferrières, with its peaceful forest and shaded paths, ideal for a nature break on the outskirts of Amiens.

This route is designed for nature lovers and those looking for a beautiful escape without any major difficulties. The terrain is very gentle, with little elevation gain, making it accessible to walkers of all levels. The atmosphere is calm, conducive to observing the local flora and fauna, but also to daydreaming. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of pilgrims by taking a section of the GR® 654, which corresponds to the famous Way of St James. You will also pass through the charming village of Brienne-sur-Aisne, where you can admire its church and local architecture.

A relaxing hike with very little elevation gain, starting from Ver-sur-Launette and heading to the Ermenonville State Forest,site of two councils or synods in the 8th and 9th centuries. The commune was called Vern in 846. Ver became Ver-sur-Launette on 15 January 1936.

Along the way, you will pass through the charming villages of the Clignon Valley, the Moulin de Brisé in Monthiers, the wash house in Licy Clignon, the fountain in Torcy en Vallois, the American and German military cemeteries in Belleau, and the Bois de Belleau.

Discover the town of Chaumont-en-Vexin, a small town of character, by following in the footsteps of Jacquot, the little boy from Chaumont who walked around it a thousand times in the 1950s. After a long absence, he returns to the place of his childhood and invites you to follow him.

This rural commune, one of the "most beautiful villages in France", a few kilometres from the Belgian border, in a setting typical of the region, consists of a homogeneous habitat made of red bricks and grey slate roofs, which give it a certain character. Its small Protestant temple and, above all, its superb fortified Saint-Médard Church, dating back to the Middle Ages, are its most representative buildings. They make you want to stop off here on your way tothe Ardennes, Reims or the Picardy coast, which are not far away.

A lovely, easy walk through nature and heritage, best enjoyed in good weather. Peace, tranquillity and fresh air are its main attractions , culminating in a visit to Valsery Abbey. Guided tours are available at weekends in summer. The passage in front of Montgobert Castle also invites you to visit the Wood Museum. At the end of the route, enjoy rural scenery and a magnificent view from the highest point of the plain over the Mont de Valsery farm. The route is very shaded between the various points (2) and (3) by large trees. You pass near the Ferme de Saint-Agnan (3), one of the first properties of the Abbey of Valsery, 2 km away, then near the Château de Mongobert (4) and at the end of the route near the Ferme du Mont de Valsery (6). The path is wide and pleasant throughout.

This 20 km circuit between Abbeville and Saint-Riquier takes you to the Monflières Chapel, then the Scardon Valley, seen from above, before returning via the Traverse du Ponthieu.

A walk in the Bois du Roi from Macquelines, a neighbourhood of Betz, passing through Lévignen with its 16th-century church, the Grivette, a small 15 km river that flows into the Canal de l'Ourcq, several small ponds, and the Sainte Fontaine, a religious site.