Trail du Val Joly

Hep, Hep, Eppe, come over here! We’ve got a trail for you!

Oh there Val Joly, a famous tourist resort in the Nord in Hauts-de-France, at the Belgian border. Oh no, this isn’t a vacation we’re offering you, but a real trail! Held in March at Eppe-sauvage, the Trail du Val Joly will let you run around its lake and its wooded paths 🌳 . The weather will be cool, and beware of the famous showers—pack your K-Way 🌧 !

Several options are available for the routes of this must-do trail: an 8 km, 16 km, 24 km, or 33 km. In addition to the trail, the organizer has thought of everything with two walks of 8km and 16km. A few challenges will test you on this trail, so get your thighs ready 🦵 .

At the start of the race, a stairs climb at the station will push your cardio to hype you up. Fancy a little treetop adventure later? For now, you’ll just get to go under it. Then, a quick pass through the Abbé Forest, near Val Joly Lake, but don’t stop at the equestrian center to harness Tornado and gallop far ahead of your competitors 🐎. If you can’t linger there, you’ll go around the grand and Joly lake before venturing into the woods, you’ll enjoy watching Saint-Hiltrude Chapel, dating from the 9th century where a Mass is still celebrated every year. Just a few steps from this historic site lies a spring whose legend says its water cures fevers. If you’re history buff, you’re in luck—you’ll be able to observe bunkers as well as the remnants of World War II fortifications.

We can imagine this trail will leave you wide-eyed and with tired legs. If you still have some energy left, take the chance to visit the Castle of Trelon or the park of the Abbey of Liesse. Drop by the Lac de l’Eau d’Heure (which isn’t stinky 😆 ) and its multitude of water activities.

What would the Ch’nord be, especially at the Belgium border, without good fries? A snack bar and a fry shop will of course be at the finish of your course to reward you for your effort. We recommend trying regional specialties, and sampling Welsh if you’re a bit hungry, or la Potjevleesch and flamiche au maroilles. If you prefer sweet over savory, Gayantines will surely delight you 🤤 .

So this trail, Joly, right?