Villages of the Moselle Valley and 2nd-century Roman aqueduct

Part of the hike takes place in the forest, offering beautiful views of the Moselle valley.

Details

n°998513

Creation:
02 Mar 2018

Last update:
01 May 2023

Last review:
21 Jul 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 11.31 km
Average duration: 3h 45
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 178 m
Descent: - 176 m
Highest point: 349 m
Lowest point: 170 m

Country: France
District: Ars-sur-Moselle (57130)
Start/End: N 49.074972° / E 6.078489°
Accessible from the train station Gare d'Ars-sur-Moselle.
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Description of the walk

Departure from the large car park opposite the Union cinema, near Ars-sur-Moselle station. Metz-Nancy line.

(S/E) When facing the cinema, turn left and walk past the station. Take the stairs up to the bridge and cross the railway line, then descend on the other side via another set of stairs. Pass under the bridge and walk along the railway line on your right. You will reach the banks of the Moselle.

(1) Walk along the Moselle for about 3 km, then turn right to reach the footbridge near the village of Dornot.

(2) Cross the railway line via the footbridge. First turn left then right and climb up into the village of Dornot. Pass in front of the church and take the first right.

(3) At the next fork, turn right onto Rue de la Paule. Continue along the path until you reach a small cross on your right on the hill.

(4) At the intersection, turn left and continue straight ahead (through a field, then across a vineyard, past an orchard and then a wood) and at the next intersection, continue straight ahead into the field, ignoring a path on the left. Enter the forest by turning left, then follow the path as it winds its way north.

(5) Near a road (D6B), turn left onto a small uphill path. Cross the road and continue to the Croix Saint-Clément.

(6) Turn right onto the path that enters the forest. Follow this path north-northeast and ignore a path on the left. You will arrive at the Roche des Varrieux viewpoint.

(7) Continue north-east, following the red and white markings of the^GR®5.

(8) Pass through La Pierre qui Tourne and continue straight ahead (north-east). Follow a steep path downhill, cross a track and continue downhill to the south-east.

(9) At the crossroads, turn right. At the next fork, turn left and join Rue Bernard Toussaint. Follow this street to the left for about 600 metres.

(10) Leave the tarmac road and take a small path on the left (red and white^GR® markings).

(11) Continue past the aqueduct towards the north-east. Leave Rue du Bassin Romain on your right and continue straight ahead along the path.

(12) Leave the^GR®5(which branches off to the left) and continue straight ahead behind the houses. Turn right to reach the D6 road. Cross the road using the pedestrian crossing 30 metres to your right. Turn right onto Rue de Champagne, then left onto Rue de la Fonderie. Take the underpass just in front of you to reach the station (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 173 m - Gare d'Ars-sur-Moselle
1 : km 0.7 - alt. 173 m - Riverbank - Moselle (la)
2 : km 3.67 - alt. 173 m - Footbridge over the railway line
3 : km 4.23 - alt. 220 m - Rue de la Paule
4 : km 4.43 - alt. 225 m - Stone cross
5 : km 5.84 - alt. 280 m - Hairpin bend to the left
6 : km 6.19 - alt. 327 m - Croix Saint-Clément
7 : km 7.44 - alt. 336 m - Viewpoint at La Roche des Varrieux
8 : km 7.84 - alt. 326 m - La Pierre qui Tourne
9 : km 8.76 - alt. 221 m - Turn right at the fork
10 : km 9.4 - alt. 180 m - Fork in a small marked path
11 : km 10.07 - alt. 188 m - Aqueduc Romain
12 : km 10.65 - alt. 180 m - Leave the GR5
S/E : km 11.31 - alt. 173 m - Gare d'Ars-sur-Moselle

Notes

You can also reach the starting point by train (Metz-Nancy line).

Worth a visit

(2) After crossing the footbridge, take a few minutes to read the information panels recounting a tragic episode from the Second World War, when the American army attempted to cross the Moselle to liberate the city of Metz.

(6) Croix Saint-Clément: according to legend, Pope Clement, seeing Metz, stopped at this spot to pray, leaving the imprint of his knees in a stone visible at the foot of the cross.

(7) Point de vue des Varrieux: beautiful view of the Moselle valley and the villages below.

(11) Remains of a Roman aqueduct and a basin dating from the 2nd century. Information panels explain why the basin was built here and how it worked.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5

Based on 20 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5

Route interest
4.5 / 5

Lukowiak Michel

21 Jul 2025 at 17:17 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful little hike that is a must with GPS

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EmmanuelB57

31 May 2025 at 18:43 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant from the second kilometre onwards, where you start to run alongside the Moselle. Some nice climbs (great for your glutes, lol).
Lovely views and a magnificent panorama to discover.
Hike done at 27 degrees (pleasant in the forest but remember to take a hat for the unshaded parts);
Completed in 3½ hours after a twenty-minute snack break

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Rv2m

10 Feb 2025 at 10:30 3600

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A bit muddy at this time of year, but a nice and moving route passing through Dornot and the battle sites of 1944. The route might be better in the opposite direction?

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Symphorien57

15 May 2024 at 11:53 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely solo hike. It's always a pleasure to pass through the historic village of Dornot. In the forest, you'll be surprised to find yourself passing by "Groot". The last few kilometres are a bit tricky as the path is narrow and muddy

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Christecol

01 May 2023 at 10:14 7200

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely afternoon walk, best done in dry weather if possible, as the path is very muddy on the way back. You will be rewarded with beautiful scenery and the Roman aqueduct as a bonus.

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Rinedo

10 Jan 2022 at 14:14 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 09, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
I would advise against doing this hike in rainy weather. There were huge puddles that blocked the path and made some sections very difficult to navigate.
But apart from that minor detail, we really enjoyed it! Varied landscapes, varied trails, we'll do it again (on a day when it's not raining)!
Thank you!
(Took 3 hours and 40 minutes with children aged 4 and 6; the flooded sections slowed us down considerably)

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Hervé70

12 Apr 2021 at 11:26 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 29, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting hike with no difficulty, featuring some beautiful spots and a Roman aqueduct with explanatory plaques that provide a good understanding of how it works.
it is best to do this route in good weather to enjoy the views and stay dry, especially at the start and end of the route where mountain bikes have dug up some narrow passages.
The route is not very busy, except at Croix St Clément, where families usually come to get some fresh air.
Thank you for this route.

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Leïla M.

08 Mar 2021 at 11:14 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk to explore the surroundings of Metz
Please note that the start of the walk, along the Moselle, may be flooded in heavy rain and icy in mid-winter
Ice rink compulsory but not unpleasant!

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mmasson

05 Oct 2020 at 13:12 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A beautiful route combining superb views and historical reminders of the Roman aqueduct and the Second World War.
However, it is difficult to find the small path overgrown with vegetation under the marked path after the Saint Clément cross. The short walk at the top of Dornot is also difficult. It is better to go straight up.

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kiki70

07 Sep 2020 at 08:35 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The walk could have been very pleasant, but the beginning along the Moselle is a real "crottoir" (paved pavement), which is obviously very unpleasant to walk on in these conditions. If it weren't for this rather fragrant stretch, the highlight would be the Roman aqueduct.

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Bzzzz57

23 Aug 2020 at 16:20 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The first 3 km of the route are not great (along the Moselle), mainly long stretches littered with gypsy excrement and toilet paper (it's really disgusting and pathetic of them), but from Dornot onwards, the route improves and becomes very pretty (vineyards, forests, great views, and finally the aqueduct).
It's a shame about the first part, but in the end I'm glad I discovered the rest of the route.
Thank you.

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bambi

15 Jul 2020 at 15:15 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route offering varied landscapes (the Moselle, the village of Dornot, views of the valley, vineyards, the aqueduct)
The section along the Moselle is noisy
It is difficult to find your way after the village of Dornot and on the way back before Ars-sur-Moselle

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Blackolov

30 May 2020 at 15:25 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very good route. We did it after lockdown, so we had trouble finding our way at the beginning of the route along the Moselle because of the tall grass. Otherwise, a very beautiful route. Well done.

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hubert rimlinger

27 Jan 2020 at 11:52 3600

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

hello, a lovely walk that we were partly familiar with; the little 'detours' (where you leave the traditional routes) are a real bonus – well done, thank you

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LNG2806

26 Nov 2018 at 09:31 3600

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We start with a lovely walk along the Moselle. Then we climb up to Dornot (which clears the lungs, lol).
We continue with a pleasant stroll through the vineyards and forest.
I think we took the wrong path to get to the St Clément cross. With all the dead leaves forming a golden carpet in the forest, it wasn't easy to see the famous "little path". But we got there in the end.
Then we finished in style with a magnificent view of the Ars sur Moselle aqueduct. With this splendid autumn weather, we were spoiled!

At the end of the hike, there are many crossroads and other forks, and it's not always easy to be sure you're turning at the right one. We took the wrong path. It might be a good idea to use nearby landmarks to make sure you're at the right junction (for example, using the small calvary as a landmark at a junction where we turned left, thinking we were at the second junction of point 9, when we should have turned right)

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