Himalayan footbridge and Rocher du Chat in Sainte-Cécile

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Discover one of the region’s must-do walks, starting from the charming village of Sainte-Cécile!

Ideal for visitors and lovers of stunning panoramic views, this superb circular route starts at the beginning of Rue de la Belle Hôtesse. Right from the start, you’ll cross the famous Sainte-Cécile Himalayan footbridge. Suspended above the Semois, it offers a unique experience at a height of 30 metres.

The trail then winds its way into the magnificent Gaume forest for a lively yet accessible circular route. You’ll climb up to the famous Rocher du Chat, a spectacular rocky viewpoint offering breathtaking views over the valley. After taking in the stunning scenery, the return journey is a leisurely stroll through the woods, before crossing the footbridge once more to return to the village.

An unmissable, fun and photogenic walk for visitors!

Details

n°100285151
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.88 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 928 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 935 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,427 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,037 ft
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Photos

Footbridge (2)
Rocher du chat
Rocher du chat
Footbridge

Description of the walk

Car park and access information: the only designated car park is on Rue d’Herbeumont (a little further on from No. 49). Parking elsewhere is prohibited. It is free of charge.

Crossing the footbridge is completely free of charge.

(S/E) Leave the car park behind you and turn left onto Rue de la Belle Hôtesse. Continue straight ahead along the tarmac road, then along the stone path until you reach the footbridge.

(1) Cross the 185-metre-long suspension bridge, which hangs 30 metres above the Semois. On the other side, turn right and climb to the top of the path.

(2) Start of the Rocher du Chat circular path. Turn right, then immediately left, following the Yellow Rectangle sign No. 16. Continue along this forest path until you reach the road.

(3) Turn left onto the road, taking great care to watch out for vehicles.

(4) Leave the road at the junction by turning left to re-enter the woods. Continue to follow the signposts, keeping to the left, then carry on straight ahead towards the signs indicating the viewpoint.

(5) At the sign, turn right to reach the Rocher du Chat. Caution: the rocks can be slippery in wet weather.

(6) Retrace your steps.

(5) Join the main path on the right and follow it for about 300 metres.

(7) Take the hairpin bend to the left. Follow the path, which remains flat, to the junction you passed on the way out.

(2) From there, turn right to reach the footbridge and retrace the route you took at the start of the walk in the opposite direction to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,161 ft - Car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.86 - alt. 1,175 ft - Passerelle himalayenne de Sainte Cecile
  3. 2 : mi 1.38 - alt. 1,280 ft - The Chat Circular Loop
  4. 3 : mi 1.82 - alt. 1,352 ft - Road junction
  5. 4 : mi 1.98 - alt. 1,316 ft - Junction
  6. 5 : mi 2.59 - alt. 1,362 ft - Rocher du Chat junction
  7. 6 : mi 2.67 - alt. 1,257 ft - Rocher du Chat
  8. 7 : mi 3.12 - alt. 1,257 ft - Hairpin bend
  9. S/E : mi 4.88 - alt. 1,161 ft - Car park

Notes

Regulations and safety on the footbridge: crossing is free of charge but subject to strict rules:

  • Weather: crossing is prohibited in bad weather (strong winds, heavy rain, black ice, snow, etc.) as the walkway can become very slippery and dangerous.

  • Fear of heights: the footbridge consists of steel grating, creating a striking sensation of vertigo, and it tends to sway when several people are on it at once. Best avoided if you suffer from vertigo.

  • Dogs: Dogs are strongly discouraged from using the footbridge, as the mesh in the floor grating is not suitable for their paws (risk of injury).

  • Mountain bikes: permitted only when riding dismounted.

Hunting season: a large part of the route passes through the forest. In autumn and winter, it is essential to check the dates when the woods are closed before setting off by consulting the official ChasseOnWeb website .

Notes / alternatives

It is possible to extend the route by several kilometres: at point (7), by continuing straight on to descend along the Semois (always following the Yellow Rectangle No. 16 markings), you will also reach (1), via (2).

Worth a visit

  • Along the route:

    • The Sainte-Cécile Himalayan Footbridge: a spectacular suspension structure spanning the Semois.

    • The Rocher du Chat: a magnificent schist outcrop rising to an altitude of 420 metres, offering a spectacular bird’s-eye view from a height of nearly 140 metres over the meandering Semois.

    In the immediate vicinity:

    • The village of Chassepierre: listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of Wallonia, famous for its picturesque charm by the river and its street arts festival in August.

    • Florenville: ideal for a break, with its many terraces and restaurants. Don’t miss the belvedere at Florenville Church (open in summer), which offers an incredible 360° panorama from the top of the tower, 50 metres high (232 steps to climb!).

    • La Roche à l’Appel in Muno: a remarkable geological site and an impressive nature reserve in the heart of the forest.

    • Herbeumont

      • The ruins of Herbeumont Castle (be sure to take the superb Promenade des Crêtes walk).

      • The Libaipire viewpoint, which offers a unique panoramic view of the castle.

    • The village of Matton-et-Clémency (France): Located just across the border, a beautiful village full of character that’s well worth a visit for its well-preserved heritage. Don’t miss its arboretum and its magnificent traditional wooden waterwheel, which feeds the pond.

    • Orval: the abbey and its restaurants.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
virgule
virgule

Hello,

Perhaps you could add a note to the description stating that access to the footbridge is difficult for people with mobility issues (I came across some elderly people who were struggling on the stony descent and had to ask for help).

Thank you for this information. Given that this walk is very popular with older people, it would be interesting to know whether the people who were struggling were walkers or tourists.

I get the impression that this footbridge is more of a tourist attraction than a fitness route.

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User 30220691

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A spectacular route, brilliant for exploring, with a lovely elevation gain – just the way I like it.
Stunning views from the footbridge; the trail takes you through the forest and along the banks of the Semois, so it’s quite varied.
Perhaps a note could be added to the description stating that access to the footbridge is difficult for people with mobility issues (I came across some elderly people who were struggling on the stony descent and had to ask for help).

Machine-translated

virgule
virgule

Hello,

The very open-weave grating: risk of losing small items or children getting their feet caught

You’ll find the smartphones that the influencers have dropped down there

Machine-translated

17jfl0248
17jfl0248

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Access. Immediate access to the footbridge is dangerous: suitable footwear required
No cycling.
Hold on tight to the handrail
The grating is very open: risk of losing small items or of children getting their feet caught
The path leading to it is very busy with many mountain bikes travelling at high speed
Dangerous for walkers

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User 29690252

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely route with stunning scenery 😍

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fgodron
fgodron

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very good

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Grand Avignon
Grand Avignon

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It’s well worth walking across the footbridge. The forest paths are pleasant, although a bit tough in places.
Well worth a visit.

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virgule
virgule

To follow the discussion.

Machine-translated

claude M
claude M

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We set off at 9 o’clock. There weren’t many people around, but by the time we finished, around 11 o’clock, the route was very busy. A lovely route.

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User 22056229

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello, a brilliant find that’s well worth a detour

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