The Époye Stream

Walk along the Ruisseau d’Époyes from its source almost to where it joins the Suippe at Saint-Masmes. You’ll also discover the well-preserved industrial heritage of the village of Saint-Masmes.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.27 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 30 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 30 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 335 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 285 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Époye (51490)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 49.290264° / E 4.238448°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2812E
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Description of the walk

Starting point at Époye Church: a small car park is available.

(S/E) With your back to the church, follow Rue du Lieutenant Alexandre (D980) until you reach the edge of the village. Turn left onto the path lined with hedges.

(1) Ignore the path on the left and carry on straight ahead along the edge of the woods until you reach the Saint-Masme mill.

(2) Carry on along the path, which turns sharply to the right, then turn left at the next junction. Continue straight on to the roundabout, then turn left towards the church.

(3) Take the small street on the left opposite the church. At the bend, carry straight on along the path which, further on, makes a first turn left then right and joins Rue Saint-Martin. Continue to the left until you reach the roundabout, go round it on the left and carry on for about 150 metres.

(4) Cross the road carefully and take the path on the right. At the first junction, turn left and follow the path across the fields.

(5) Turn left, then, at the turning area, take the path on the right which runs alongside the road.

(6) To be on the safe side, turn right and then left to go round the cluster of trees, then turn left to return to the road. Turn right, cross the bridge over the stream, then turn right onto Rue du Pont Rodinet, which leads onto the main street opposite the church. Return to your car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 315 ft - Eglise Saint-Pierre (Époye)
  2. 1 : mi 1 - alt. 302 ft - Junction
  3. 2 : mi 1.79 - alt. 295 ft - Saint-Masmes Mill
  4. 3 : mi 2.61 - alt. 285 ft - Église Saint-Georges et Saint-Vrain (Saint-Masmes)
  5. 4 : mi 3.01 - alt. 305 ft - Crossing the D33
  6. 5 : mi 3.85 - alt. 335 ft - Crossroads
  7. 6 : mi 4.83 - alt. 322 ft - Detour to the right
  8. S/E : mi 5.27 - alt. 315 ft - Eglise Saint-Pierre (Époye)

Notes

The walk is very easy and follows dirt tracks, so they may be muddy at certain times of the year.

Saint-Masmes: if you wish, you can visit the Saint Masme cave, the old railway station, the old factory and the River Suippe. Once at the roundabout, carry straight on along Avenue de la Gare and take the dead-end path furthest to the left behind the station. Once you’ve completed this short detour, simply retrace your steps and rejoin the route to the right towards the church.

Worth a visit

On the way, you’ll see horses and the Saint-Masme mill.

Reviews and comments

4 / 5
Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
3.3 / 5
AC08
AC08

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 26, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

An easy walk, but the final section is rather uninteresting as you head back along the country road through open countryside. Not recommended in hot, sunny weather.
The charming mill at Saint Masmes.
We came across a gentleman in a cart drawn by his two horses.

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User 27671802

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hello, this short, easy walk is suitable for older people, children and beginners. The return leg after point 4 is rather uninteresting, as it takes you across open fields under the sun. You can continue along the D33 road and turn left at the mill to rejoin the path you took on the way out. (Part of the route is slightly altered to avoid following exactly the same path.) Then head back to Epoye. It would be a shame, however, not to visit the old industrial site, which has been left in its original state on Rue de la Gare. The utterly kitsch Saint Masmes wayside shrine is not to be missed.
For locals, here’s a link providing information on the textile industry along the River Suippe, complete with a period photograph.
http://www.patrimoineindustriel-apic.com...

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jocelyne DESGRIPPES
jocelyne DESGRIPPES

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We did the route starting from Masmes; we were wearing good, well-fitted anoraks to protect us from the wind. The return journey was more pleasant as we were sheltered behind the stream.

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