GR120 Coastal Path — Cap Gris-Nez to Cap Blanc-Nez

The GR120 coastal path links Cap Gris-Nez and Cap Blanc-Nez, the two headlands that define the Côte d'Opale in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. The route covers about 16 km one way, or 32 km as an out-and-back, and most walkers allow 5 to 7 hours for a round trip or split it into two shorter sections. Elevation change is modest, roughly 150 m of cumulative undulation, but the cliff-top sections have steady short climbs and descents that add up over the full distance. Access is straightforward by car: visitors can park at Cap Gris-Nez near the lighthouse, or at the Rue de l'Eglise car park in Wissant, the midpoint village, and walk the section they prefer. Taxis run from Calais at roughly €25 one way, and no permit is required. The surface alternates between grassy cliff-top tracks, compacted dirt, short stretches of road verge, and the open sand of the Wissant bay, which can be walked at low tide. Shade is almost absent, and the path is fully exposed to wind and sea spray, so conditions change quickly. Cap Gris-Nez offers wide views across the Strait of Dover, and on clear days the English coast is visible. Wissant has a long beach, cafés and a bakery, which makes it the natural resupply and turn-around point for shorter outings. The eastern end rises to Cap Blanc-Nez, a chalk headland with white cliffs and a monument on the summit. Water is not available along the open sections of the path, so walkers should carry all they need and refill in Wissant or Escalles. There are no refuge huts, only village shelters and café terraces, so a waterproof layer matters. Cliff edges are unfenced in many places, and visitors should keep to the marked trail and away from eroding edges. The route is waymarked with the red and white GR flashes, and the line is easy to follow.