Montagne aux Buis from Dourbes

de fr

This route takes you up to the Croix de la Roche in Lomme, where you can enjoy a magnificent view of Nismes. This limestone peak topped with a cross offers a unique view of the Viroin valley.
La Roche à Lomme is known beyond its borders for its great biological value. The rocky slope to the south-east is covered with Mediterranean-style flora, enhanced by the abundant presence of boxwood.

Details

n°2315040
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.03 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 202 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 204 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 249 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 148 m
Downloads
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Photos

Rocher de Lomme
Rock at Lomme
Croix Roche in Lomme

Description of the walk

Departure from the chapel at the crossroads of Rue Roche in Lomme and Rue de Mariembourg.

(S/E) Head north-west up Rue de Mariembourg towards Montagne aux Buis.

(1) Continue straight ahead.

(2) Turn left and take the gap in the woods, following the markings (green rectangle).

(3) Turn left, following the signs for the viewpoint, and continue straight ahead to the Croix de la Roche in Lomme.

(4) Viewpoint at Croix de la Roche in Lomme, retrace your steps and turn left, following the green rectangle markings. Join the road and take it to the right, in the right-angle bend before the level crossing, continue straight ahead on the small road.

(5) Cross the Eau Blanche and follow the Eau Noire.

(6) Cross the Eau Blanche again and, at the entrance to the forest, turn left onto the path.

(7) Leave the marked trail and turn right.

(8) Turn left.

(9) At the fork, turn right.

(10) At the fork, turn right (follow the main path).

(11) At the end of the path, turn right and continue downhill.

(2) From there, head straight ahead along the path you took on the way there.

(1) At this point, stay on the left side of the path (Tienne Loret) and continue downhill.

(12) When you reach the road, turn right and continue straight ahead until you reach the crossroads, then turn right again to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 171 m - Start
  2. 1 : km 0.7 - alt. 202 m - Common fork A/R
  3. 2 : km 1.16 - alt. 234 m - Common fork A/R
  4. 3 : km 1.72 - alt. 214 m - Fork to the left
  5. 4 : km 2.1 - alt. 201 m - Croix de la Roche in Lomme. View of the valley - Viroin (rivière) - Belgique
  6. 5 : km 2.78 - alt. 151 m - Cross the Eau Blanche and follow the - Eau Noire (rivière) - Belgique
  7. 6 : km 3.45 - alt. 148 m - Eau Blanche (rivière) - Belgique
  8. 7 : km 5.77 - alt. 208 m - Fork to the right
  9. 8 : km 5.92 - alt. 226 m - Fork to the left
  10. 9 : km 6.57 - alt. 245 m - Fork to the right
  11. 10 : km 7.21 - alt. 244 m - Turn right at the fork.
  12. 11 : km 8.06 - alt. 249 m - Fork to the right
  13. 12 : km 9.68 - alt. 168 m - Fork to the right
  14. S/E : km 10.03 - alt. 171 m - Arrival

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 13 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.1 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Phil_Fos
Phil_Fos

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful route, lovely climbs and descents. Please note that it is not accessible to everyone (rocks, narrow paths, brambles),
but a beautiful hike.

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GuyLeroy
GuyLeroy

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A lovely, easy forest walk that we highly recommend. La Roche à l'Homme offers a fantastic view. It's the perfect place for a picnic.
Don't hesitate to give it a go!

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Christine75
Christine75

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

very nice little walk
very clear route
beautiful viewpoint magnificent view from the Lomme rock, and a peaceful walk in the woods, as always in this region
Thank you

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Dubois Thérèse
Dubois Thérèse

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Excellent hike. The view at the Roche à Lomme cross is worth the detour and is a great spot for a picnic.
It's true, with just the map, you would miss the gap in the woods at point 2. Thank you, GPX.
It's great to cross the famous "3 valleys" in just a few minutes.

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Cristina
Cristina

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The trial on 15 August in the village of Nismes meant that the route was very busy with really friendly people. I go hiking with two Malinois shepherds!!! Lovely encounters with other hikers.

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Tevoet
Tevoet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike, mostly in the shade of the vegetation. The site of La Roche à Lomme is recommended for picnics.

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Marlyse4004
Marlyse4004

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

First time using Visiorando via the app. Everything went perfectly until we reached a point where, according to the route, we should have taken a path across private land (I have photos and screenshots). Perhaps there was a way around it? But we gave up and followed the markings, which led us back to the route.
A very beautiful walk with superb views from the rock at Lomme and the Montagne-aux-Buis (I would add a small detail to make sure you venture into the boxwood clearing to discover it).

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tofbe
tofbe

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great walk, the area is really pretty and the trails are well chosen. The walk follows markings that are fairly easy to spot and even without the markings, the route is fairly obvious when you have a map (even the one provided here). We had no difficulty finding our way. Be careful, however, as this hike should be avoided in rainy weather. In my opinion, the trails are very muddy and slippery when the weather is bad.

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Maddymons
Maddymons

Good evening

I used the description and paper map (not the app), but it wasn't accurate enough. That's usually not enough.
Kind regards

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ouistiti137
ouistiti137
• Edited:

I think it's useful for hiking to combine a description with a map.... The aim when designing this hike was to get off the beaten track to discover areas of almost untouched nature, which makes it impossible to provide a highly accurate description.

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FLOCH
FLOCH ★

Hello,

Thank you for these clarifications.
The author can use this information to refine their description.
Best wishes for your continued success on Visorando.

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Maddymons
Maddymons
• Edited:

Good evening,

I only used the PDF document.
Everything went well until I descended from the viewpoint...
then, with only the following instructions in a wood:
(5) Leave the trail markers and turn right.
(6) Turn left.
(7) At the fork, turn right.
(8) At the fork, turn right (follow the main path).
(9) At the end of the path, turn right and continue downhill.
This is completely inadequate...

We followed the markings (which may have changed) and arrived at Nismes station via the road. We realised from the map that this wasn't the right way, so we turned back... but we couldn't find where to turn... we took what looked like a path, crossed a meadow, and ended up on a private road... Fortunately, no one stopped us... with the map, we were able to find the right route again, but after that... we played a guessing game and stayed on the forest path... we didn't dare turn at a "fork" in the woods where the paths are poorly marked, far too vague for such a route.
It's a shame because the area is beautiful.
Kind regards

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FLOCH
FLOCH ★

Hello,

Your assessment differs from others that have been posted for this hike.

Could you elaborate on the points that led you to this opinion?
Reliability of the description: Very disappointing
Reliability of the map route: Disappointing
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

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Maddymons
Maddymons
• Edited:

Overall rating : 2.3 / 5

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

With a good, accurate description, it should be a very pleasant walk.
The climb up to the cross and the view are well worth the detour.

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Gpspeedmetal89
Gpspeedmetal89

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike that is not too long

A few ascents and descents scattered along the route add a little difficulty.

Some parts of the route are on very narrow tracks

Watch out for stones and branches sticking out along the route... you're guaranteed to twist your ankle if you don't watch where you're going

The cross on the rock and the view are worth it. For that alone, I recommend this hike.

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