The Côte d’Opale, named for the distinctive light that bathes its coastline, offers between Le Touquet and Hardelot one of the most pleasant family cycling routes in the Hauts-de-France: wooded dunes, sandy beaches stretching as far as the eye can see, and a well-developed cycle path network.
A route between dune forest and beaches
From Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, a chic seaside resort known for its 1920s architecture, the route first heads into Le Touquet’s state forest, a vast pine forest planted on the dunes in the early 20th century to stabilise the sand — a wooded setting offering welcome shelter from the wind common on this Channel-facing coast.
The path then reaches Stella-Plage and then Hardelot-Plage, alternating forested sections with more open stretches along the seafront, with a continuous view of beaches stretching out at low tide. Allow around 30 km round trip for this stretch, with the option to easily shorten it by stopping at Stella-Plage.
How to approach the ride as a family
The near-total lack of elevation gain (50 m total, mostly from the dunes) and cycle paths largely separated from traffic make this route accessible from a very young age, in a trailer or child seat for toddlers. The many beaches reachable from the paths make it easy to alternate cycling and swimming throughout the day.
Wind, common on this coastline, is worth planning for with a light windbreaker layer, especially on the more exposed stretches between wooded areas.
When to go
The ideal window runs from May to September. The Côte d’Opale’s mild oceanic climate, cooler than southern regions in summer, allows for comfortable riding even in peak season, with a chance of showers to plan for year-round on this changeable coastline.
Good to know
Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, a well-equipped tourist resort, has a wide choice of accommodation and several bike rental shops used to families, making it a convenient starting point for exploring the Côte d’Opale over a day or more.
