Nord Trail Monts de Flandres (NTMF)

Have you ever been to the North? Not Lille or Douai, but even higher! In the northernmost territory of the metropolis or even the names of villages that make you feel like you’ve already crossed into Belgium… Don’t panic, you’re still in France and more precisely in French Flanders, near Bailleul which welcomes you to a colorful trail experience: the Nord Trail Monts de Flandres (we’ll call it the NTMF like everyone else, right?). In April, head over to Hauts-de-France under the sun and sweltering heat to face its cool morning temperatures and say hello to our Belgian friends (yes, you’ll have a chance to go there during your trail !) 🇧🇪.

13, 25, 42, 59, 80… Hey, put the Euromillions grid away, we’re not giving you winning numbers but the schedule for the different trail races in the heart of the Monts de Flandres and their summits. So these 5 distances will be offered in the NTMF program, enough to suit everyone’s tastes, even though it should be noted that Belgium hosts only the two longest routes, which might motivate you to attempt a long distance 😜?

Thus, in the town of Bailleul (which has its carnival and its belfry, as any Northern town should) that the start and finish of the Mont des Flandres trail will take place. You’ll leave the town quite quickly to go deep into Flanders. The Mont des Cats, the Mont Kokereel, the Mont de Boeschpe, the Mont Rouge, the Mont Noir… (Jeanne Mas blasting in your ears will help you push through the last two) so many trials that will stand in your way. Well if you’re used to trails that take you to 3,000 m of elevation you might be a little disappointed when you reach the highest point of the race: the Mont Vincent Cassel and its 176 m. But you just need to take a look at the panoramic view it offers over the Flanders Plain to understand that size isn’t everything ! The vegetation and crops offer a horizon of green and ochre and on sunny days you’ll even get a stunning view of the port of Dunkerque. Enjoy the gentle curves of the Flemish plains under the song of swallows that scream but don’t waste any time because despite the low altitude, the sequence of the mountains devours your time and energy 🔋. Once on the road back to Bailleul, you’ll be able to catch your breath, the finish line is near!

After your race, you can enjoy the warm welcome of the people of Bailleul and stroll through their town that was mostly destroyed by over 90% during World War I but is today considered one of the most beautiful towns of Flanders and to recoup a bit of strength, what better than Flemish gastronomy with its white asparagus and its carbonade.

Take a stroll through the Flemish plains, we’re not making a whole show of it! 🍮