A land of hikes
Hiking is an excellent way to discover the region's diversity. Whether you're walking at Cap Gris-Nez, around the Audomarois marshes, along the beaches of Malo-les-Bains, in the forest of Compiègne or in the Bay of the Somme, the atmosphere will be very different indeed. A few hiking trails are available in this guide, but it's best to contact the region's tourist offices, which offer numerous walking routes, some of them guided. It's also worth noting that the Chemin de Compostelle crosses Hauts-de-France via the GR 655, and that the Via Francigena starts in Calais. The Aisne also has an abundance of hiking trails: over 300 will help you discover unsuspected sites: springs, hidden abbeys, abandoned villages... For full details, visit www.randonner.fr.
Nordic walking and, above all, coastal walks in the Bay of the Somme are also growing in popularity.
When we think of extreme running or trail running, we think first and foremost of the mountainous courses and steep paths of the south of France. But there's also plenty to enjoy in the "Great North", with some great nature races and original events. The Trail de la Côte d'Opale, for its part, is a must for any self-respecting runner. In September, some 7,000 participants ply the Deux Caps reserve between sand, stony and steep paths, and asphalt, with the longest course (62 km!) running from Cap Blanc-Nez to the town of Ambleteuse. If you love the forest, the Trail des Beaux-Monts is also a must in Compiègne, in mid-September. The name comes from the famous 5 km trail from which you'll have time (or not?) to admire the backdrop of the Imperial Palace. As for the rest, the 15- and 30-kilometer courses offer enough elevation gain to keep you active and entertained.
Last but not least, if you're into something a little crazy, the Frappadingue is for you. The town of Montreuil-sur-Mer (Pas-de-Calais) is the birthplace of this race, which has now been exported to a dozen towns in France! In the Hauts-de-France region, you'll find it this year in Le Portel, Doullens, Beauvais and Gravelines. The idea is to get over a series of obstacles, such as an obstacle course or a slide. Keep an eye out for registrations, as places are snapped up very quickly. If you're not up for the adventure, you can always watch the spectacle of crazy runners (in disguise) taking on the most unlikely obstacles. Another favorite is the 14-18 obstacle course at Thiescourt (Oise) in October, with its 11 km circuit and over 50 obstacles on terrain marked by the First World War.
In Oise, the horse is king
The Oise is considered as the kingdom of the horse. It is therefore normal to find a good number of addresses of riding schools. One can enjoy the forests in the south of the department and around Compiègne (which hosts a very famous dressage competition). But the essential city of the horse remains Chantilly. There are the Grandes Écuries, the renovated horse museum, equestrian shows, but also a racecourse built more than 150 years ago and hosting the greatest French horse races (such as the Prix de Diane). It is now even possible to visit the city during horseback riding tours.
The Somme and Pas-de-Calais coastline also offers beautiful horseback rides, some of which are through the dunes and on the beach. In the Somme bay, a particularly robust but elegant breed is bred: the Henson. The departmental committees and the interregional horse council are the best places to find rides all year round, specially designed to cover the most beautiful forest or plain sites.
Beautiful routes for cyclists
From the Opal Coast to the Thiérache, from the Flanders mountains to the mining basin, from the Oise forests to the Audomarois marshes, the variety of landscapes is great and, depending on your mount, you will enjoy riding on small roads or muddy country roads. Don't forget to get the very practical small guides from the departmental councils which will show you the mountain bike circuits and roads to do by department.
The region lends itself particularly well to mountain biking, especially in the woods and forests, which have interesting slopes and landscapes. From Compiègne (Oise), trails of all levels run through the forests, with long paths and more technical terrain. To find your way, it's easy: at each crossroads, a red line indicates the direction of the Palais (which we recommend as a starting point). From Saint-Amand-les-Eaux (North), through the forest, you will reach the steep slopes of the slag heaps (these vestiges of the mining era) which will delight your thighs and guarantee descents that are sometimes quite technical. The Wallers-Aremberg cobbled trench, made famous by the Paris-Roubaix cycling race, is not far away if you still have the legs!
Some cycling routes to try:
The small bucolic roads of the Avesnois region offer beautiful rides. From 12 km to more than 60 km, around the forest of Mormal and/or the Val-Joly, discover the kiosks in Fagne de Solre or the water mills on the two Helpes.
In Flanders, the most beautiful circuits will take you along the Yser river until the doors of the Audomarois, alternating landscapes of plains, woods, hedgerows and marshes. Other itineraries will take you past the old windmills still very present in this area.
For those who have some practice, the Boulonnais, its hills and its hinterland are the place for your next hike.
In the Dunkerque region, you can cycle on the Eurovélo 4 or Vélomaritime, which is often a greenway
In Picardie maritime, 70 km of cycle tracks from the Authie to Mers-les-Bains, this is what the cycling plan has established in order to promote the use of cycles rather than cars. Cyclists can now take advantage of specially dedicated paths and thus discover the coastal landscapes during long recreational or more sportive rides. In addition to this enhancement program, with the redevelopment and widening of roads, hiking trails have been marked.
In the forest of Compiègne, seven cycle tracks cross the massif and its 14,400 ha inhabited by ancient legends. You can thus link two sites not to be missed from Compiègne to Pierrefonds. Two tracks allow you to vary the outward and return journey and to discover two charming villages where you can rest: Saint-Jean-aux-Bois and Vieux-Moulin. An ideal route for family outings. The map of the bicycle paths is available at the tourist office of Compiègne.
Numerous outdoor leisure activities and water sports
With its long beaches, the region is ideal for kite flying. So it's hardly surprising to find France's biggest competition in the Pas-de-Calais, at Berck-sur-Mer (in April). A fine event is also organized in the Somme at Cayeux-sur-Mer (in June). Good clubs are also present far from the coast, in Amiens and Soissons for example. Invented on our beaches, longe-côte is also gaining in popularity, and consists of walking along the beach with water up to the pool, using a paddle if necessary.
Sand yachting is also a popular activity on the region's immense beaches. If the weather's right, you'll quickly get a good sense of speed at ground level. Be sure to bring waterproof clothing, and check availability and tides beforehand. If you're a thrill-seeker, you'll also enjoy kitesurfing, which takes you above the waves. Kitesurfing is now well developed, and there are schools where you can learn the basics.
Picardy offers a wealth of opportunities for canoeing and kayaking. Visit www.picardie-canoe.com to find out about the different routes on offer, as this club of enthusiasts changes its itineraries every week! Count €24 for an adult, €15 for a teenager and €10 for children aged 8 to 12 for a two-hour trip on the Omignon and Somme rivers...
Why don't we relax?
Quite simply, there's only one spa in the Hauts-de-France region, and it's in Saint-Amand-les-Eaux. The water source is used for drinking purposes, but many curists come to this charming northern town for medical treatment. The waters are calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride and sulfur, making them particularly suitable for patients suffering from rheumatism, osteo-articular trauma or respiratory problems. The establishment, with its transparent architecture, is located on the edge of a lush forest. It is part of the Chaîne Thermale du Soleil(www.chainethermale.fr - 03 27 48 25 00). There used to be a famous spa in Pierrefonds, in the Oise region, but it has not been in operation since the Great War.
