Short circular in the Semoy valley

Set in lush green surroundings, this is an easy little route, ideal for getting back into exercise after a period of inactivity.

Details

3213829
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.17 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 110 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 102 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 230 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 144 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from Tournavaux Town Hall.

(S/E) From the town hall, cross the bridge over the Semoy and immediately turn left onto Chemin de la Retorse.
The street turns into a path. Ignore all the paths leading off to the right and continue to the Fontaine de Ruha fountain.

(1) Turn left towards the church and then join Rue du Pont. Turn left towards the bridge. Cross the bridge and climb up the embankment opposite, taking a small path that joins the Transsemoisienne.

(2) Turn right onto the Transsemoisienne (the old Semoy railway line) until you reach the entrance to Thilay (D31).

(3) Cross this road and take Rue du Moulin to reach the war memorial.

(4) Go up Rue de la Roche on the left. Shortly before the path leading to the cemetery, turn right and you will immediately find a small path on the left.

(5) Take this small path, rejoin a wider path and, ignoring the paths that branch off to the right, join the GR®®.

(6) Turn left, join the Route Forestière des Éteignères (tarmac) and continue in the same direction until you reach a crossroads with four paths.

(7) Turn right onto theGR®® and stay on theGR®® until you reach Blossette. You will rejoin the D31.

(8) Cross carefully and, from the car park opposite, take a path that descends towards Tournavaux. There are two paths; the one on the left, which is not shown on the map, is the least steep. Arrive at Grande Rue.

(9) Follow this street to the right, which turns left to reach the town hall (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 144 m - Tournavaux Town Hall. Towards the bridge over the - Semoy (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 1.68 - alt. 157 m - Ruha fountain
  3. 2 : km 2.31 - alt. 160 m - Transsemoysienne
  4. 3 : km 5.77 - alt. 155 m - D31
  5. 4 : km 5.93 - alt. 155 m - War memorial
  6. 5 : km 6.16 - alt. 173 m - Small path
  7. 6 : km 7.13 - alt. 230 m - GR
  8. 7 : km 7.43 - alt. 216 m - Crossroads of 4 paths
  9. 8 : km 8.37 - alt. 211 m - D31
  10. 9 : km 8.8 - alt. 158 m - Grande Rue on the right
  11. S/E : km 9.17 - alt. 145 m - Tournavaux : Mairie

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

4.6 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
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

Practised in dry weather. No worries about the tricky little section connecting to the Transsemoisienne (slope equivalent to a railway or motorway embankment over a distance of about 30 metres).
In wet weather, it must be very slippery.
Otherwise, everything is fine.

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Tchep
Tchep

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The straight line drawn by the computer does not always correspond to the actual layout of the site. Some changes in direction involving very narrow paths could be better indicated.

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Magèle
Magèle

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A tough climb at the start after the bridge over the Semoy. Then at point (1): I had trouble finding the little path that joins the Transsemoisienne opposite the bridge in the embankment! It was hidden by vegetation! What's more, it's quite steep and, as it had rained the day before, it was very slippery. Luckily I had brought my walking poles, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to climb it!
But apart from that, the walk is very pleasant. I enjoyed this route: "Small circular in the Semoy valley".

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Erth
Erth

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, shaded hike. It's a shame that a large part of the route is on tarmac.
No particular difficulties. The region is magnificent.

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SG59
SG59

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A lovely route with varied landscapes and views. An easy hike that I would gladly do again.

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bozierbruno
bozierbruno

Hello Marc and Juan
I really appreciate your comment, but I think you're referring to a different route that I described starting from Tournavaux.
The short circular in the Semoy Valley does not go up to Roc la Tour or pass by the top of Roche aux Corpias.
Unless 2022 has changed everything. Could this be another trick of the devil?
I look forward to hearing from you again.
Happy hiking!
Bozierbruno

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Marc et Juan
Marc et Juan

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A magnificent hike, 100% forest. It starts off strong with a formidable climb. Once you reach the road, you're saved. The rock at Corpias is tricky. Quite simply, if you fall, you'll end up in pieces. Keep little children close to you.
The Devil's Castle, Roc la Tour, he had almost finished his castle 🏰, too bad it exploded...

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bozierbruno
bozierbruno

Hello Iwataki
Thank you for taking the time to share your positive feedback on this enjoyable route, which was created shortly after the first lockdown.
Happy hiking!
Bozierbruno

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iwataki
iwataki
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little walk that began in the middle of a slightly chilly morning, but with sunshine from start to finish.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the campsite was unoccupied, so it was possible to walk through it and follow the Semoy river as closely as possible. The route runs along the river, except for the last section between Thilay and Tournavaux, which is a short climb between the Semoy and the Ru de Desniqel before descending past the Blossette spring and rejoining the Semoy at the starting point.

There are no particular difficulties and the trail is very well marked and clear from start to finish. Ideal for a family outing.

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doc_marc
doc_marc

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little walk that can be done without any problems on a hot day as it is mostly shaded. The various sections near the water also allow you to cool off a little.

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Patrick*Daras
Patrick*Daras

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 01, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello
A beautiful route for an easy 3-hour walk.
However, one section could do with regular maintenance to enhance tourism in the Ardennes, namely the Transsemaoisienne between Haulmé and Thilay (nettles and brambles on the tarmac, broken tree branches left unsecured, path not mowed between the Haulmé bridge and the campsite).The "ageing" markings along the entire route show that these "short walks" are poorly maintained, even though they are shaded and ideal for families.
Patrick D.

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manapani51
manapani51

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful route, with challenging climbs but stunning views. Quite busy when the sun is shining.

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Jacsalva
Jacsalva

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

beautiful, easy hike

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