Calais, a charming town in Pas-de-Calais, France, offers a plethora of trails for those who love hiking, mountain biking, climbing and other outdoor activities. Here are the top 10 trails in Calais that you should consider for your next outdoor adventure.
1. Cap Blanc-Nez – Fond-Pignon
Location: Caps et Marais d’Opale Regional Nature Park
Length: 6.3km
Difficulty: Easy
Description: This trail, located in the serene natural park, starts near the Sentier Blanc Nez and takes you through Cap Blanc Nez, Mont de Noir-Mottes and Mont d’Hubert, offering breathtaking views and a chance to walk over the Channel Tunnel, which has connected France to the UK since 1994.
2. Dunes de la Slack
Location: Caps et Marais d’Opale Regional Nature Park
Length: 4.8km
Difficulty: Easy
Description: Starting from the Ambleteuse lock car park, this route offers a scenic loop along the estuary of the Slack, through the dunes, and finishes in a pine wood, providing a diverse landscape and a tranquil experience.
3. Sentier Des Crans – Cap Gris-Nez
Location: Caps et Marais d’Opale Regional Nature Park
Length: 12.1km
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: This varied trail takes you to the beautiful Cap Gris-Nez, offering a mix of cliffs, beaches and fields. It’s a great spot to potentially spot seals and enjoy the floral coast, with historical richness and many chapels dedicated to the Virgin Mary along the way.
4. Terril des Pinchonvalles – Bois de Givenchy
Location: Givenchy-en-Gohelle, Pas-de-Calais, France
Length: 6.9km
Difficulty: Easy
Description: This trail south of Lens takes you through the Bois de Givenchy and the longest slag heap in Europe, offering insights into the region’s mining history and panoramic views of the countryside and Lens.
5. Cap Blanc-Nez – Hauts de Sangatte
Location: Caps et Marais d’Opale Regional Nature Park
Length: 10.3km
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: Starting from the village of Escalles, this hike lets you explore the cliffs of Cap Blanc-Nez and witness remnants of the Second World War. It also offers scenic sea views from Mont d’Hubert.
6. Circuit of the Two Heaps
Location: Loos-en-Gohelle, Pas-de-Calais, France
Length: 5.6km
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: This trail around two of the highest slag heaps in Europe offers a unique perspective of the region’s mining history and a panoramic view of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region from the plateau between the heaps.
7. Cap Gris Nez: Customs trail and Belvederes
Location: Caps et Marais d’Opale Regional Nature Park
Length: 7.7km
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: This trail near Tardinghen offers diverse species of fauna and flora, breathtaking sea views, plus a journey around the belvederes and along the cliff edge to the notch of Sillers.
8. Équihen-Plage – Fort d’Albrech via Sentier du Littoral
Location: Caps et Marais d’Opale Regional Nature Park
Length: 5.6km
Difficulty: Easy
Description: This trail in the natural park follows the Sentier du Littoral and passes through strategic vestiges of the Second World War, including Blockhouses and the Fort d’Alprech. It offers a mix of history and scenic beauty.
9. Wissant – Dover Patrol Monument – Cap Blanc-Nez
Location: Caps et Marais d’Opale Regional Nature Park
Length: 12.4km
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: This coastal route is a tribute to the French and British soldiers of the First World War, offering scenic sea views and a chance to see other Dover Patrol landmarks located around the world.
10. Reserve of the Bay of Canche by Mollières
Location: Réserve naturelle de la Baie de la Canche
Length: 9.8km
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: Starting from the Canche nautical centre, this path lets you explore the Mollières, a salted area along the Canche, offering a tranquil and enriching experience.
Embark on your Calais adventure with Ferryscanner
Ready to explore the diverse trails of Calais? Book your ferry from Dover to Calais with Ferryscanner and set sail to experience the natural beauty and outdoor adventures that Calais has to offer.
