Metz–Chassepierre circular cycle tour (+ return train journey from Pétange)

de fr

The village of Chassepierre is a little paradise on the banks of the Semois, very close to the French and Luxembourg borders, just 120 km from Metz.
Our route takes 3 or 4 days: one and a half days to reach Chassepierre, half a day or one and a half days there to enjoy the surroundings, and one day for the return journey, part of which is by train. It is also possible, as the author of this route did, to attend the performances at the street arts festival, which takes place in the afternoons and evenings on the Saturday and Sunday following 15 August.

The first long stage (over 90 km) takes us beyond the Chiers and the Ton via a very direct route through France. The following morning, it’s just a 30 km cycle, plus an optional visit to Orval Abbey. The return journey to Metz follows the Semois upstream before heading into Luxembourg to catch the train.

Details

n°38622183
Creation:
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  • Touring/Gravel
    Activity: Touring/Gravel
  • ↔
    Distance: 123.85 mi
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 3 days 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 5,968 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 5,820 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,388 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 584 ft

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

  1. S

    From Lorry-lès-Metz to the Vieille Hage farm (Tintigny – Belgium)

    ↔58.52 mi ↗3,251 ft ↘2,963 ft
    For this first stage, the route seems very direct but stays well away from the main roads. It follows country lanes, tracks reserved for farm machinery, forest paths and cycle paths!
    View the route
  2. 2

    From the Vieille Hage farm, Tintigny to Chassepierre

    ↔18.66 mi ↗951 ft ↘1,122 ft
    For this second stage, if the cockerel wakes us up early enough after a night’s camping on the farm, we’ll have no trouble packing up the tent and cycling the 30 km to Chassepierre,We’ll even be able to visit Orval Abbey halfway there. We’ll be cycling through the forest for most of the way.
    View the route
  3. E

    From Chassepierre to Pétange (Luxembourg) along the Semois

    ↔46.66 mi ↗1,430 ft ↘1,398 ft
    For most of the route, this third stage follows roads suitable for cycling, smooth paths and cycle lanes. The Semois meanders so much that it is impossible to ‘follow’ it along its entire length, but this route crosses it numerous times and heads all the way up to its source in Arlon!The ride takes you through the Gaume and the Arlon region, away from the main roads with heavy motor traffic.
    View the route

Worth a visit

This route was designed to take you to the international street arts festival for which the village of Chassepierre is famous.
The festival held its49th edition on 19 and 20 August 2023.
It is a hugely popular event (attracting nearly 50 companies and 30,000 visitors).
The audience, which is very family-oriented, comes mainly from Belgium.
Online advance ticket sales for the festival open in July.
Many of the performance areas have tiered seating due to the layout of the venue – the road, the meadow and the banks of the Semois. If you bring a folding chair, you can sit more comfortably, provided you move about ten metres away.
Regular festival-goers often arrive a good half-hour before the announced start time, which is strictly adhered to.
The programme runs at the same times on both Saturday and Sunday.
Cycling to the festival is a challenge that fits in with the festival’s eco-friendly commitments!
The campsite at the Vieille Hage farm has six pitches and offers all the necessary facilities: washrooms, toilets, hot showers, as well as a sheltered table and benches – which is very important for cyclists.
Many festival-goers camp on the festival site. Plenty of toilets and showers are provided, but you may need to be patient at times.
As the area is a popular tourist destination, there are ‘proper’ campsites in the village or nearby.
Bicycle racks are available at the Blue, Mauve and Brown entrances to the festival.
The food and drink on offer at the festival is of high quality and very reasonably priced.

Visit to Orval Abbey

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

Other walks in the area

Touring/Gravel From Lorry-lès-Metz to the Vieille Hage farm (Tintigny – Belgium)

Visorando Member
↔58.52 mi ↗+3,251 ft ↘-2,963 ft ◔8 hrs ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Lorry-lès-Metz (Moselle)
For this first stage, the route seems very direct but stays well away from the main roads. It follows country lanes, tracks reserved for farm machinery, forest paths and cycle paths!

Touring/Gravel From the Messine conurbation to Toul station

Visorando Member
↔49.83 mi ↗+676 ft ↘-758 ft ◔8 hrs ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Lorry-lès-Metz (Moselle)
The V50 cycle route (Luxembourg - Lyon) crosses the Messine conurbation, running alongside the Moselle from La Maxe to Augny. Like the author, who set off from Lorry-lès-Metz, it is easy to join the route and follow it to Blénod-lès-Pont-à-Mousson, between ponds and wetlands, riding mostly on dedicated cycle paths. Then you cross "Little Lorraine Switzerland" on quiet roads to rejoin the Moselle at Liverdun, nestled in one of its beautiful meanders. Following the river along the V533 greenway, you soon come into view of Toul Cathedral, the first stop on the journey.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.