The best walks and hikes around Vitry-En-Artois

The region around Vitry-En-Artois offers a diverse range of hiking experiences. You'll find many routes along the Scarpe river and its alluvial zones, including the notable Vitry-en-Artois marsh. The broader Artois region features fertile plains, gentle hills, and wooded dales, providing options from flat riverside paths to routes with some elevation gain. Expect varied scenery with water courses, countryside, and natural marshlands.

There are over 200 hiking routes available around Vitry-En-Artois. This includes a wide selection, with more than 100 easy trails, around 90 moderate routes, and a few more challenging options for experienced hikers.

Yes, Vitry-En-Artois offers many easy and family-friendly options. A pleasant choice is the Blue Lake – Blue Lake loop from Plouvain, an easy 6.1 km path that provides a tranquil walk around the lake. The towpath along the Scarpe Canal also offers gentle, enjoyable walks perfect for families.

Hikers can explore several interesting natural features and landmarks. The Vitry-en-Artois marsh is a significant wetland area, ideal for observing aquatic birds. You can also visit the fascinating megalithic site of Les Bonnettes, or explore the area around Blue Lake. The Terril de Drocourt, a former slag heap, has been repurposed for outdoor activities and offers varied terrain.

Yes, many of the trails in the area are circular, allowing you to start and end at the same point. For example, the Forêt de l'Escrebieux – L'Escrebieux Stream loop from Quiéry-la-Motte is a moderate 8.7 km circular route that takes you through woodland and along a stream.

Many trails in the Vitry-En-Artois region are suitable for dogs, especially those along the river Scarpe and through the countryside. It's always recommended to keep your dog on a leash, especially in marshland areas to protect local wildlife, and to check specific trail regulations if posted.

The diverse landscapes of Vitry-En-Artois, with its marshlands, river paths, and gentle hills, are enjoyable throughout much of the year. Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures and beautiful scenery, with vibrant foliage in fall. Summer is also great for riverside walks, while winter can provide a unique, tranquil experience, especially in the marsh areas.

The hiking routes around Vitry-En-Artois are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.6 stars from over 300 reviews. Hikers often praise the peaceful riverside towpaths, the tranquility of the marshlands, and the varied scenery that combines water, countryside, and gentle terrain.

While many routes are easy to moderate, there are options for longer and more challenging hikes. The Towpath Along the Scarpe – Blue Lake loop from Biache-Saint-Vaast is a more difficult 23.9 km trail that combines riverside paths with exploration around Blue Lake, typically taking about 6 hours to complete.

Access to some trailheads may be possible via local public transport, particularly in larger towns or villages near the routes. However, for many of the more rural trails, especially those exploring the marshlands or specific natural features, driving to a starting point with parking is often the most convenient option.

The Vitry-en-Artois marsh (marais de Vitry-en-Artois) is a crucial site for nesting, staging, and wintering aquatic birds, making it an excellent location for wildlife observation. The broader Scarpe Valley, with its alluvial flood zones and peat bogs, also supports rich biodiversity, offering opportunities to spot various bird species and other wetland wildlife.

Many trailheads in and around Vitry-En-Artois, especially those starting from villages or popular natural sites, offer designated parking areas. For instance, routes starting from Biache-Saint-Vaast or Plouvain typically have convenient parking options. It's advisable to check the specific route details on komoot for parking information at your chosen starting point.