Holiday apartment in Les Hautes-Rivières: cycle path, forest and industrial history

When choosing a holiday apartment in Les Hautes-Rivières, you can prioritise the local highlights according to your preferred day’s activities. For cycling tours, the Trans-Semoysienne is the main attraction: the 20 km cycle path runs between Monthermé and Les Hautes-Rivières along the former route of the P’tit Train de la Semoy. It is also connected to the Voie Verte Trans-Ardennes and the Belgian RAVeL network. This provides a longer cycling option alongside a shorter hiking option and the town’s viewpoints.

Holiday apartment in Les Hautes-Rivières for active and varied days

Along the Trans-Semoysienne, 18 information boards provide details about the local municipalities and the region’s cultural and natural heritage. The Espace VTT/FFC – Enduro de la Semoy has a starting point in Les Hautes-Rivières, on Rue du Château d’eau. The Enduro de la Semoy takes place annually on the second weekend in June. Participants can ride the special stages or follow the event.

If you prefer travelling on foot, the Balade des cloutiers offers a clearly defined route: the trail is 6.5 km long, easy, takes about three hours and starts at the town hall square. As a hiking trail in Les Hautes-Rivières, it focuses on the region’s industrial past. This ties in with the local industrial history, which also includes the fact that more than 700 nail makers worked in Les Hautes-Rivières around 1850. Exercise and history are brought together here in a single excursion theme.

Forest, viewpoints and a rare natural phenomenon

The Croix de l’Enfer viewpoint is reached via a steep ascent and is surrounded by forest. The La Roche Margaut viewpoint lies above Les Hautes-Rivières and can be reached from the town centre by following the existing signs. Both destinations offer different ways of experiencing the landscape: at one, the ascent and forest shape the approach; at the other, the elevated position above the town and the signposting from the centre do so.

The Semoy also contributes an unusual feature to the character of the town. It displays an ice phenomenon that is very rare in Europe, in which ice forms on the riverbed and rises to the surface.

The different types of activities help you determine the preferred pace for your stay. A holiday apartment or holiday house in Les Hautes-Rivières can suit a trip that combines active days cycling, a manageable walk with a historical focus and peaceful observation of the landscape. Those who focus on the Trans-Semoysienne will follow a different daily programme from those who primarily want to plan the Balade des cloutiers, forest and viewpoints. The local industrial history adds a cultural aspect to this selection.

For cultural planning, it is also important to note that Les Hautes-Rivières church is closed to the public until further notice due to an order issued by the mayor. A public visit should therefore not be planned as part of the programme.

Other places you can look up when planning your trip: Haulmé, Rocroi, Fagnon, Sapogne-et-Feuchères, Aiglemont, Saint-Laurent, Charleville-Mézières, Les Mazures.

To the higher-level travel overview: Ardennes.