The Meixoise via Gros Cron

Park on Rue de Virton in Bellefontaine, near the bus stop next to an electricity substation; there are plenty of parking spaces available.

(S/E) Turn right onto the tarmac road towards the water tower and follow it for about a hundred metres. You will then reach a Y-junction.

(1) Turn right onto the wide, stony farm track that winds through the meadows. You’ll reach the Bellefontaine picnic and rest area. You’ll come to a signpost.

(2) Continue to follow the stony farm track to the left; this eventually enters the forest before turning left – ignore any side paths here.
At the crossroads at the edge of the forest, where there is a signpost and a bench, carry on straight ahead along the small tarmac road which climbs gently. You’ll reach the end of the first fenced-off meadow.

(3) Turn right to enter the woodland via an inconspicuous path; follow it to a junction with a track near the Bergerie du Gros Cron.

(4) Turn right onto the track towards Gros Cron and ignore the various side paths. The route ends with a descent, offering an unobstructed view to the right over the Chevratte valley and the railway line, until you reach a junction.

(5) Continue straight on and head down towards the level crossing. Cross with care before continuing the descent along a path to the Chevratte. A small bridge takes you across the stream, then the path climbs through the trees, skirting the Gros Cron rock formation, until you reach a junction (signpost).

(6) You can make a quick round trip to the summit of the Gros Cron and its spring by heading to the right and then turning right again a little further on, just before another signpost.
Return to the junction and head right onto the level path marked in yellow and white – this is the Transgaumaise. Follow the railway line for a while, then veer to the right and head uphill to a junction with a wide forest track.

(7) Take the forest track to the left. Leave the forest and begin a descent to a tarmac road.

(8) Turn left towards Rue Cholette and follow it towards the Meix-devant-Virton football club grounds.
At the next junction, turn left and cross the railway line again at the level crossing.

(9) Leave the road shortly afterwards and take the stony track that climbs to the left. At the next three-way junction, by a bench, go straight on. Climb gently through the forest along an almost straight path. After a right-hand bend, you’ll reach a crossroads with a footpath.

(10) Leave the track and take the path on the right; keep left at the next junction. Continue on to reach the Grande Fontaine junction in a clearing.

(11) Carry on straight ahead along a wide forest track, ignoring the side paths. A little further on, this becomes a footpath again. You’ll reach another junction.

(12) Take the^second path on the left. Stay on this path, ignoring all the turnings to the right and left, until you reach the Boviveau crossroads.

(13) Pass the Lahage rest and picnic area, continuing straight on along the track which now runs alongside the forest. At the next junction, turn left onto the concrete ramp leading down to the Vieille Hage farm; pass it and follow the tarmac road uphill to a junction.

(14) Turn left and, immediately after the wayside cross (marked by a post), turn right onto the stony farm track until you reach Rue de Saint-Hubert.

(15) Turn left onto the tarmac road, follow it, then turn right immediately at the next signpost onto the farm track. Walk through the meadows until you reach a tarmac road.

(16) Turn right (signpost) and you’ll easily reach the junction you passed on the way out.

(1) Turn right back onto the outbound route to return to the car park on Rue de Virton (S/E).

(2) Bellefontaine rest area: barbecue facilities available.
La Bergerie du Gros Cron: organic lamb farm; meat packs available for purchase.
Not to be missed in the region: Orval Cistercian Abbey