On the “high ground” of Séchelles

Park on the Place de l’Église, in the hamlet of Séchelles (municipality of Aguilcourt-Séchelles); free parking.

(S/E) With your back to the church, head straight ahead to reach Rue de la Gare. Turn left and continue for about a hundred metres.

(1) Turn left again to follow an old railway line. After about 650 metres, as the track no longer exists, veer left to join the D58.

(2) Turn right onto this road. Before reaching a bridge over the Ruisseau du Gennevat, turn left and take a grassy country lane. Ignore two paths on the left and, after 1,200 metres, head left. Ignore a path on the right and climb the hillside to the edge of a copse.

(3) Turn left and continue for 500 m until you reach the junction.

(4) Turn right and follow the track uphill for 350 m.

(5) Turn left and take a country lane running along the edge of a copse, which is slightly sunken.

(6) After 550 m, turn right onto another country lane, which runs alongside a slope (yellow and green markings). Follow this lane (see practical information). At the junction with a stony track, turn left and head downhill.

(7) Take the first grassy track on the right and follow it until you reach the D59 (crossing the Rivière de Vigneux).

(8) Turn left and continue to a T-junction with the D58. Take the right-hand branch towards Agnicourt, ignore the first path on the right and, after 450 m, you’ll reach a second junction.

(9) Turn left and head down Rue de Moranzy (D59), passing an old railway station (on the left), then a glass recycling bin. You’ll come to a gravel farm track on the left.

(10) Take this track. After two right-angle bends – the first to the left, the second to the right – you’ll reach the old railway line. Follow it for 1,600 metres to return to the original fork in the road.

(1) Turn left and head back to the car park (S/E).

A few hectometres after (6), the path turns into a ditch for about a hundred metres. In damp or rainy weather, follow the top of the embankment on the left-hand side (see attached photo).

After (10), the start of the railway line requires you to wade across a small stream. No particular difficulty.

Beautiful panoramic views of the Marle countryside between (5) and (6).

The Church of Saint-Médard in Agnicourt (12th century for the nave – 15th century for the chancel and the portal), listed as a Historic Monument in 1921. At point (10), continue straight ahead: 1,000 m there and back.