La Roche à Sept Heures in Monthermé

A lovely walk for the whole family. Numerous viewpoints over the Meuse and a wide variety of landscapes.
Early spring is the perfect time to enjoy a clearer view of the Monthermé loop. We were inspired by the guidebook "Les Ardennes à pieds" for this hike.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.88 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 229 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 229 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 370 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 134 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the Tourist Office car park, Place Jean-Baptiste Clément, on the banks of the Meuse.

(S/E) When you leave the car park, take Rue du Docteur Lemaire on your right. At the crossroads, continue straight ahead on Rue Voltaire and walk for about 300 metres, passing the fire station and the school.

(1) Turn left at the first street after the cemetery to rejoin Rue de l'Égalité. Turn left again to go up this street alongside the cemetery and reach the main road, Rue Monseigneur Bihery.

(2) Cross over and take the small path opposite, climbing between the houses.

(3) Once you reach the road, take the path on the left through the woods (you will pass two antennas). Once at the inn, turn left towards the forest road and immediately turn left onto Chemin des Crêtes, following the red and white markings ofthe GR®®12C.

(4) Take a detour to the left towards the picnic tables to see the Roche à Sept Heures rock. Retrace your steps.

(4) Then follow the Chemin des Crêtes, which curves sharply to the left, remembering to stop at the many viewpoints along the way. Follow theGR® signs, pass the last viewpoint and you will come to a fork. Keep left on theGR® through the oak trees until you reach the next intersection.

(5) Take the Chemin de la Longue Roche on the left towards the fir trees to begin the descent. Once you reach the track, turn left, then left again a few metres further on and continue to the banks of the Meuse.

(6) Continue straight ahead along the river, pass the post office, then take the passage on the left that goes up under the square to the Tourist Office and its car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 141 m - Tourist Office car park
  2. 1 : km 0.55 - alt. 158 m - Street on the left. Near the - Semoy (rivière)
  3. 2 : km 0.95 - alt. 204 m - Rue Monseigneur Bihery, path opposite
  4. 3 : km 1.12 - alt. 226 m - Path on the left, north-west
  5. 4 : km 1.72 - alt. 260 m - Ridge trail
  6. 5 : km 3.63 - alt. 321 m - Start of descent on the left
  7. 6 : km 5.15 - alt. 140 m - Meuse (fleuve)
  8. S/E : km 5.88 - alt. 141 m - Tourist Office car park

Notes

A good pair of shoes and water.
Binoculars are also recommended.
No major difficulties, but be careful with children at the viewpoints (which are secure, however).

Worth a visit

Don't forget to make a detour to the Roche à Sept Heures at point (4).
Numerous viewpoints over the Meuse.
You can see the Quatre Fils Aymont from the viewpoints.
There is a magnificent conifer forest at the start of the descent.

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.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 36 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Mch79
Mch79

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pleasant hike with superb views of the Meuse.
Easy route

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Jérôme et Magali
Jérôme et Magali

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike with numerous views of Monthermé and the meandering Meuse River. Be warned that the start is quite strenuous with a 2 km climb that is quite steep in places.
I lost the GPS signal several times in the forest, but this didn't cause any problems.

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Clic
Clic

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

As described.

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Nannan Luc
Nannan Luc

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Although the start is along a busy road, as soon as you enter the small path, you find yourself in a very interesting and pleasant natural setting. We just had to stay alert because the trail is sometimes on the side of a smooth, steep rock face and our three-year-old son (who already wants to be independent) doesn't realise how dangerous it is. On the way back down the wider path, he made the most of our shoulders (he obviously can't walk that far yet...). Overall, a lovely walk that we would definitely recommend. Thank you.

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HATTY
HATTY

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike that allows you to discover the Meuse River and the Ardennes forest
The GPX file is essential to avoid getting lost in the forest, as the directions are very basic

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randokarine
randokarine

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Easier parking is available at the Monthermé river port car park, along the Meuse just before the bridge. Car parking and motorhome area.
A very beautiful hike in the opposite direction, ideal for beginners, starting in the shade with a long climb through the forest and enjoying the views later on after the effort. Magnificent panorama of the Meuse river loops. A must-do hike in the area.

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jmv51
jmv51

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The start was quite difficult, with no street names, and when we arrived at the entrance to the woods, the signs were very difficult to see. You have to keep your eyes on the map or your smartphone at all times to avoid straying from the path. Otherwise, the views are worth stopping for.

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fanfan
fanfan

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with numerous superb views, benches and places to rest in the first part of the route.
The start is tricky in the unnamed streets, with few signs on the ground. The departure point in the town centre, in the tourist office car park, is not easy to find, with a lack of space and difficulties getting ready, putting on and taking off your shoes, and changing if necessary.

The end of the hike after the hairpin bend becomes difficult on a stony path with very little of interest.
I would have preferred to do it the other way round.

Thank you for this route, which allowed us to discover the region's sights.

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cemoi62
cemoi62

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike to see the Monthermé loop from every angle! The elevation gain is significant, but well worth it for the various viewpoints. There are numerous benches along the route

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dujli59
dujli59
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, peaceful walk, easy to do with the family, with views of the Meuse river loop. The section through the forest is perfect for a quiet picnic.

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Fredgibeaux
Fredgibeaux
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely route for exploring the Meuse river loops from a slightly higher vantage point!
An easy route for the whole family... Don't hesitate to do it in the opposite direction to enjoy the view later!

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judith vandepitte
judith vandepitte

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very beautiful hike!

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popeyeoliv
popeyeoliv

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, but the start of the route lacks precision... the signs are not always clearly visible.

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oural4902
oural4902

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

After a few difficulties at the start due to the absence of street names, the route is very pleasant along paths through woods and then along ridges. The views of the Meuse river meandering below are breathtaking from the many viewpoints along the route. The descent through deciduous and coniferous woods is also interesting. This circuit is not too difficult and is highly recommended

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Fred Reims
Fred Reims

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant hike, very busy on this sunny bank holiday Monday.
It's a shame that the map has two routes, which could confuse hikers.

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