Lac du Val-Joly is a prominent region in northern France, situated within the Avesnois Regional Nature Park. This area is characterized by its expansive artificial lake, covering 180 hectares, which is the largest north of Paris. The landscape surrounding Lac du Val-Joly features diverse terrain, including dense forests, open meadows, and rolling countryside, providing a varied environment for outdoor pursuits. Visitors can engage in several sports like hiking, touring cycling, jogging, mountain biking, and more, making it a comprehensive destination…
102
Routes
4.4
(470)
Average rating
4070
People visited

4.4
(77)
430
hikers
19.3km
05:16
290m
290m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(66)
322
hikers
18.2km
05:01
310m
310m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(38)
254
hikers
7.26km
01:56
80m
80m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(39)
137
hikers
13.0km
03:34
210m
210m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(4)
392
runners
20.8km
02:23
350m
350m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
355
runners
9.28km
01:07
140m
140m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

141
runners
4.86km
00:33
60m
60m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

33
runners
5.16km
00:34
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.0
(21)
123
riders
32.1km
02:42
590m
590m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(9)
77
riders
38.0km
03:02
610m
610m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

3.7
(3)
17
riders
45.9km
03:00
470m
470m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.3
(3)
12
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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4.1
(11)
111
riders
16.1km
01:17
240m
230m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(8)
98
riders
22.5km
01:38
310m
300m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(2)
73
riders
32.1km
02:06
360m
360m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
45
riders
7.83km
00:40
80m
80m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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3.3
(3)
112
riders
37.8km
02:08
440m
440m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.8
(4)
53
riders
45.1km
01:59
280m
280m
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

50
riders
20.9km
01:17
290m
290m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
25
riders
59.0km
02:31
500m
500m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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Lac du Val-Joly is an artificial lake located in the Avesnois Regional Nature Park in northern France. It is recognized as the largest artificial lake north of Paris, covering 180 hectares. The region offers diverse landscapes including forests, meadows, and rolling countryside.
Lac du Val-Joly offers a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, touring cycling, jogging, and mountain biking. The lake also provides opportunities for water sports such as windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. An indoor aquatic center and other recreational facilities are also available.
Yes, Lac du Val-Joly features numerous hiking trails suitable for various skill levels, from easy strolls to more moderate routes. Options include accessible lakeside walks and longer treks through surrounding forests. For more information, explore the Hiking around Lac du Val-Joly guide.
A popular hiking option is the 6.8-mile (10.9 km) Val-Joly Lake Loop – Val Joly Dam loop. An easier 3-mile (4.8 km) path, the Val Joly Dam – Val-Joly Lake Loop, offers an accessible lakeside walk. For longer treks, the 7.8-mile (12.5 km) Bois-l'Abbé Church – View of Lake Val Joly loop winds through forests.
Yes, Lac du Val-Joly offers several family-friendly hiking options, including easy paths with gentle slopes suitable for all ages. The 3-mile (4.8 km) Val Joly Dam – Val-Joly Lake Loop is an accessible lakeside walk. More options can be found in the Family-friendly hikes around Lac du Val-Joly guide.
The 9.9-mile (16 km) lake tour is a suitable route for touring cycling, passing through meadows and the Abbé-Val-Joly national forest. Various other routes cater to different preferences. Discover more in the Cycling around Lac du Val-Joly guide.
Yes, Lac du Val-Joly provides various trails for mountain biking, ranging from moderate to more challenging routes. Examples include the 19.6-mile (31.6 km) 'Val-Joly Lake Loop – Lake Val-Joly loop' and the 15-mile (24.05 km) 'The Transylvestre' with a 971-foot (296m) elevation gain. Explore options in the MTB Trails around Lac du Val-Joly guide.
The scenic lake loop and various paths through forests and meadows provide ideal settings for jogging and running. The 9.9-mile (16 km) lake tour is a popular option for runners. For more routes, consult the Running Trails around Lac du Val-Joly guide.
Lac du Val-Joly is unique due to its status as the largest artificial lake north of Paris, offering extensive water activities. Its location within the protected Avesnois Regional Nature Park provides diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity. The area combines natural beauty with a wide range of recreational opportunities for all fitness levels.
Lac du Val-Joly is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 24,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The region features 39 routes across various sports, which have an average rating of 4.36 out of 5 stars from over 3,600 ratings.
Komoot offers several guides for Lac du Val-Joly, including Hiking around Lac du Val-Joly, Family-friendly hikes around Lac du Val-Joly, Easy hikes around Lac du Val-Joly, and Cycling around Lac du Val-Joly. Guides for running, mountain biking, and road cycling are also available.
The official website for ValJoly, providing information on activities and facilities, is valjoly.com. For direct inquiries, the phone number for Lac du Val-Joly is +33 (0)3 27 61 83 76.

