4.5
(102)
10,447
runners
453
runs
Jogging routes around Villers-Au-Bois, located in the Pas-de-Calais department of France, traverse a varied landscape of wooded areas and open plains. The region is characterized by a gently undulating terrain, with elevations ranging from 99 to 162 meters, offering moderate challenges for runners. Key features include the Artois hills and significant woodlands such as Bois Poret, Bois des Baudets, and Bois de la Loterie, providing diverse and scenic running routes.
Last updated: May 14, 2026
5.0
(1)
19
runners
7.33km
00:50
80m
80m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
15
runners
7.13km
00:49
70m
70m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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14
runners
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
14
runners
11.6km
01:15
120m
120m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
12
runners
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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This cemetery contains the remains of more than ten thousand soldiers who died during the First World War on the front lines in Artois and French-Belgian Flanders. This location is one of 139 cemeteries and memorials from the First World War on the Western Front that were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2023.
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The ruins of the old church of Ablain-Saint-Nazaire are an impressive and symbolic remnant of the First World War. This church, built in the 16th century in flamboyant Gothic style by Jacques Le Caron, was heavily damaged during the fighting in 1915. The ruins have been preserved as a monument to commemorate the horrors of war.
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A remarkable story about the ruins concerns the decision not to rebuild the church after the war. Although the church had been classified as a historical monument in 1908, the Commission for Historical Monuments decided that the ruins should remain as a testimony to the German destruction. Ironically, it was the French guns that had destroyed the church, but the ruins became a symbol of the war and the reconstruction.
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The Nécropole nationale de Notre-Dame-de-Lorette is one of the largest and most impressive military cemeteries in France. Situated on a hill in Ablain-Saint-Nazaire, this cemetery contains the graves of more than 42,000 soldiers who died during the First World War. The cemetery was inaugurated in 1925 and includes a basilica, a tower-lantern and a museum.
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The Anneau de la Mémoire is an impressive monument commemorating the 576,606 soldiers of forty different nationalities who died in Nord-Pas-de-Calais during the First World War. The monument was designed by Philippe Prost and was unveiled on 11 November 2014, the 96th anniversary of Armistice Day. It consists of 500 metal panels, each approximately 3 metres high, arranged in an elliptical shape. The names of the soldiers are listed alphabetically, without distinction of rank or nationality.
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A superb monument commemorating the centenary of the Great War. It features nearly 500,000 names engraved in alphabetical order. Without distinction of rank, they come from soldiers of some forty different nationalities, all of whom fell on the front lines of Nord-Pas-de-Calais between 1914 and 1918.
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The church dedicated to the Mother of God under the title "Notre-Dame de Lorette" rises in brilliant white and is visible from far away. But the brilliant impression is deceptive, at the latest when the visitor to the site realizes that they are in a huge military cemetery. Around 20,000 individual graves and a further 23,000 victims of war and tyranny buried in ossuaries are deeply disturbing.
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The church dedicated to the Mother of God under the title "Notre-Dame de Lorette" rises in brilliant white and is visible from far away. But the brilliant impression is deceptive, at the latest when the visitor to the site realizes that they are in a huge military cemetery. Around 20,000 individual graves and a further 23,000 victims of war and tyranny buried in ossuaries are deeply disturbing.
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The running trails around Villers-Au-Bois offer a diverse and scenic experience. You'll find a mix of wooded areas, such as Bois Poret and Bois des Baudets, alongside open plains. The region is characterized by the gently undulating Artois hills, with elevations ranging from 99 to 162 meters, providing moderate challenges and rewarding views for runners.
Yes, the Villers-Au-Bois area boasts a comprehensive network of running routes. There are over 400 routes available, catering to various fitness levels with options for easy, moderate, and difficult runs. This ensures a wide variety of choices for every runner.
The running trails in Villers-Au-Bois are highly regarded by the komoot community, holding an impressive average rating of 4.5 stars from over 100 reviews. More than 11,000 runners have explored the varied terrain, often praising the quiet woodlands and well-maintained paths.
While specific family-friendly routes aren't explicitly detailed, the region offers 33 easy-rated routes with minimal elevation changes. For example, the "Au Nord-Ouest de Villers-au-Bois" route, at 10.25 km, is noted for its easy profile and shaded sections, which can be advantageous for families, especially during warmer periods.
The natural setting of Villers-Au-Bois, with its extensive woodlands like Bois Poret and Bois des Baudets, makes it generally suitable for running with dogs. However, it's always recommended to keep your dog on a leash, especially in ecologically sensitive areas (ZNIEFFs) and to respect local regulations regarding pets on trails.
Yes, many of the routes in Villers-Au-Bois are circular, offering convenient starting and ending points. A popular option is Le Bois de Camblain loop from Camblain-l'Abbé, a moderate 7.3 km trail that takes you through local woodlands.
Running in Villers-Au-Bois offers a blend of natural beauty and historical sights. You might encounter a poignant British cemetery, the site of an old narrow-gauge railway station, or even the ruins of the abbey at Mont Saint-Éloi. The region also features significant natural monuments like the Loos-en-Gohelle slag heap and the Bray Chalk Quarry.
Many routes, such as the "Sentier des Baudets," conveniently start from the communal hall parking in Villers-Au-Bois. For other trails, parking is generally available in or near the villages that serve as starting points, like Camblain-l'Abbé or Villers-au-Bois itself.
Absolutely. The Villers-Au-Bois area offers 33 easy-rated running routes. For a less strenuous run, consider the "Au Nord-Ouest de Villers-au-Bois" route, which is 10.25 km long with minimal elevation changes and benefits from shaded sections, making it ideal for a relaxed pace.
For those seeking a longer challenge, routes like Ring of Remembrance – Ruins of Mont-Saint-Eloi Abbey loop from Gouy-Servins offer significant distances, stretching over 31 km with considerable elevation gain, providing a difficult yet rewarding experience.
Yes, the region is rich in history. Along various running paths, you can discover sites such as the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, the Notre-Dame-de-Lorette National Cemetery, and the ruins of the abbey at Mont Saint-Éloi. These offer poignant stops during your run.
The varied landscape of Villers-Au-Bois, with its woodlands and open plains, makes it suitable for running throughout much of the year. Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures and beautiful scenery. During warmer periods, the shaded sections of routes like "Au Nord-Ouest de Villers-au-Bois" can be particularly advantageous.


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