Les Dames de Meuse

The route climbs through the forest, then along the rocky slope, to the Belvédère des Dames de Meuse, which offers a breathtaking view of the valley.

Details

21414951
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.22 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 797 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 797 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,237 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 643 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐
  • ⚐ City: Laifour (08800)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 49.908081° / E 4.696002°
  • Accessible from the train station Gare de Laifour.
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2908SB, 3008SB
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Start from the car park at the top of the Chemin des Mazures in Laifour.

(S/E) From the car park, take the path on the right which climbs quite steeply through the forest and joins the ridge.

(1) The path descends slightly before becoming much less steep.

(2) At a fork in the road, ignore the path heading to the right and continue straight on. You’ll reach a game reserve fence with steps.

(3) Do not cross the fence; turn right along the wire fence and continue straight on to the viewpoint at the edge of the cliff.

(4) From the viewpoint, continue to the left along the narrow path hugging the rock face to the Belvédère des Dames de Meuse. This path is quite strenuous and steep; it winds its way up and down constantly, following the contours of the terrain.

(5) At the Belvédère des Dames de Meuse, there is a spot for a picnic (a small area, but with a double bench and a table). Climb the steps over the fence to enter the game reserve, then follow the wire fence to the left along a wide, flat grassy path until you reach the steps leading out of the reserve.

(3) Return to the car park via the reverse route of the outward journey (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 643 ft - Chemin des Mazures car park in Laifour
  2. 1 : mi 0.33 - alt. 1,014 ft - The gradient levels off considerably
  3. 2 : mi 0.73 - alt. 1,138 ft - Straight on at the fork in the road
  4. 3 : mi 0.84 - alt. 1,230 ft - To the right, along the fenced game reserve
  5. 4 : mi 0.96 - alt. 1,129 ft - Viewpoint, continue to the left
  6. 5 : mi 1.63 - alt. 1,181 ft - Belvédère des Dames de la Meuse – River Meuse
  7. S/E : mi 3.22 - alt. 643 ft - Chemin des Mazures car park in Laifour

Notes

(4) Possible alternative route: retrace your steps to the steps that cross over the fence (3), go up them and continue to the right along a flat path beside the wire fence to the Belvédère des Dames de Meuse (this path will be taken on the return journey in the suggested route).

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
quentin_delille@yahoo.com
quentin_delille@yahoo.com

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 18, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A really lovely walk – it’s a bit of a steep start, but the views of the Meuse’s meandering course are fantastic. Be careful in wet weather – it gets slippery.

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turbine58
turbine58

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Have good shoes with good grip, especially in wet weather. But it's worth the effort.

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DiGau
DiGau

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A really lovely route through the woodland, offering some stunning views of a circular bend in the Meuse.
Hiking poles and boots are essential, especially if the ground is damp; otherwise, you should definitely avoid the path from point 4 and opt for the suggested alternative route instead.

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