Les Hautes Rivières: Cycling and Hiking

Cycling and hiking are at the heart of Les Hautes Rivières, alongside local industrial history and viewpoints across the landscape. When planning your visit, it is worth distinguishing between activities: the Trans-Semoysienne is a 20 km cycle route between Monthermé and Les Hautes-Rivières. The Balade des cloutiers, by contrast, is a 6.5 km hike that takes about three hours. This lets you decide whether a cycling route or a themed walking trail should be the focus of your stay.

Cycling and Enduro

The Trans-Semoysienne follows the former route of the P’tit Train de la Semoy and connects with the Voie Verte Trans-Ardennes and Belgium’s RAVeL network. Its length and endpoints, Monthermé and Les Hautes-Rivières, give the route a clear geographic orientation. Along the way, 18 information panels provide details about the local communities and the region’s cultural and natural heritage. If you would like to explore these subjects while cycling, the panels offer a tangible connection to the route.

There is a starting point for the Espace VTT/FFC – Enduro de la Semoy in Les Hautes-Rivières, on Rue du Château d’eau. Check the arrangements for using the starting point before you travel. The Enduro de la Semoy takes place every year on the second weekend in June. Participants can ride the special stages or watch the event. If you are travelling to the event, check the dates and participation requirements in advance.

Hiking Trails and Local History

The Balade des cloutiers starts at the town hall square. This easy hike is 6.5 km long and takes about three hours; its theme is the region’s industrial past. It offers a specific walking route with a historical focus for anyone who wants to combine exercise with local history.

Around 1850, more than 700 nail makers worked in Les Hautes-Rivières. This figure gives the Balade’s theme a specific connection to the area: nail making was part of the region’s industrial past.

The viewpoints also offer different experiences. Croix de l’Enfer is reached by a steep climb and is surrounded by forest. La Roche Margaut lies above Les Hautes-Rivières and can be reached from the town centre by following the existing signs. This makes the differences clear when choosing a route: the easy difficulty level and approximate duration are important points of reference for the Balade des cloutiers, while the steep climb defines the route to Croix de l’Enfer. La Roche Margaut can be located by following the signs from the town centre.

A rare ice phenomenon on the Semoy

The natural features of Les Hautes Rivières include a very rare ice phenomenon in Europe, found on the Semoy. Ice forms on the riverbed and then rises to the surface. This unusual river phenomenon adds a distinct natural dimension to the themes of cycling, hiking and industrial history.

Discover more destinations: Tailly, Joigny-sur-Meuse, Clémency, Aiglemont, Lançon, Signy-Montlibert, Brécy-Brières, Liart

For the broader travel overview: Ardennes.