Our 5 favourite hiking routes in the French Ardennes

Ardenne Tour 

The Ardennes Circuit is the newest long-distance hiking route in the French Ardennes. It is a true 300 km journey, divided into 13 stages of around 23 km each. The trail leads through unspoilt landscapes, following in the footsteps of Arduinna, the Celtic goddess of the Ardennes, who was said to roam the forests on her wild boar. Today, we choose to follow this route on foot, discovering picturesque places along the way. The trail passes through Bouillon, Sedan, Chémery-Chéhéry, Bairon, Poix-Terron, Signy-l’Abbaye, Rimogne, Rocroi, Oignies-en-Thiérache, Hierges, Hargnies, Les Hautes Rivières and Alle-sur-Semois. Overnight accommodation is available near each stage, roughly every 20 km.

The Ardennes Circuit partly follows existing walking and cycling networks, integrating seamlessly with routes such as the GRP Argonne, the Grande Traversée de la Forêt du Pays de Chimay, the Tour du Pays de Bouillon, the Grande Traversée de l’Ardenne, the GR14 towards Lac du Der and the GR654, the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. This makes it easy to create your own hiking itinerary and fully experience the magic of the French Ardennes.

Tip: the Ardennes Circuit can also be completed by mountain bike.

Ardenne Tour 

This 6 km circular walk with 200 metres of elevation gain between Monthermé and La Roche à Sept Heures offers spectacular views over one of the most beautiful river meanders in France. The hike is suitable for children, although good walking shoes are recommended. Starting in Monthermé, in the Meuse Valley, you climb along a narrow path through vegetation to La Roche à Sept Heures, a rocky spur overlooking the Meuse. In the distance, you can already see La Longue Roche, the second viewpoint on the route. To enjoy the panorama for a little longer, a picnic is a great idea.

You then begin the descent back to the village along a path that follows the river. Café Le Laval Dieu is a pleasant place to end the walk with a drink on the terrace. Allow around 2.5 hours for the full hike - perfect for families.

La Roche à Sept Heures Hiking 

This relatively flat 10 km walk near Lake Bairon crosses a Natura 2000 protected area with exceptional biodiversity. The route is clearly marked with yellow waymarkers and follows easy, well-maintained paths. The starting point is the dam separating the recreational area of Lake Bairon from the nature reserve.

The first part of the walk crosses wide stretches of farmland before reaching the hills around the Vieil Étang, a fishing pond created in the Middle Ages by the monks of Mont-Dieu. Halfway along, you pass through the historic village of Louvergny, where you’ll want to stop at the neo-Gothic church, whose roof was entirely restored in 2018 by a retired roofer working voluntarily. The route then loops around the nature reserve, where the source of the Bairon River can also be found. Bird lovers should remember to bring binoculars, as sandpipers, hobbies and grey herons are known to nest here - you may be lucky enough to spot them. Finally, don’t forget your swimsuit for a refreshing swim in the lake at the end of the walk.

Bairon Lake tour

This hike starts and finishes in the village of Hargnies, known for its gastronomy, particularly its cured meats such as Ardennes ham, pâté and sausages - perfect to enjoy with some bread during your walk. This is especially welcome on this route, as you’ll need to climb a little (280 metres of ascent) to reach the viewpoint at La Roche à Fépin. From here, you’ll enjoy panoramic views over the Meuse, the village of Fépin and, in the distance, Haybes.

The trail then leads to the small Risdoux River and into its densely wooded valley, often with the sound of flowing streams nearby. You’ll notice that the air is much more humid here. The Risdoux Valley is home to many rare plant and animal species, including the marsh grasshopper and the seven-pointed starwort. Information panels along the route provide insight into the local flora and fauna of the Ardennes. Near the ruins of the Limbourg Mill, you begin the final climb, soon spotting the first traditional natural stone houses of Hargnies.

Risdoux loop – Hargnies 

This undulating hike begins quite literally at the top, on the summit of Mont Saint-Walfroy at an altitude of 350 metres, near the Hermitage of Saint-Walfroy. From the church, known for its remarkable stained-glass windows, you can enjoy far-reaching views over the open fields of the Pays d’Yvois. The sense of space and silence is striking. The Hermitage of Saint-Walfroy has long been a place of pilgrimage, but there is little time to linger, as a 22 km walk with 500 metres of elevation gain lies ahead.

Although the paths are easy to follow, a good level of fitness is required. The route crosses the rolling countryside around Bièvres and leads to Fort du Chesnois, an imposing bunker that once formed part of the Maginot Line and is now gradually being reclaimed by nature. The trail continues through small valleys and the villages of Herbeuval, Sapogne-sur-Marche and Signy-Montlibert, where you can admire several beautiful churches. Save some energy for the final climb, as the route ends back at the summit of Mont Saint-Walfroy.

Mont Saint-Walfroy tour