Herbeumont Saint-Cécile railway tunnel; Libapire viewpoints; Herbeumont railway bridge

This walking/jogging loop starts on the road over the Semois with a view of the fantastic railway bridge.

It consists of three parts:
1. Flat section: Above the Semois, the railway is taken south to Saint-Cécile. In summer, it is advisable to bring a sweater or fleece, because on the way you pass through the railway tunnel from Herbeumont to Saint-Cécile (1.4 km long); an experience! In recent years, it has become increasingly closed. Due to the tourist attraction of this tunnel, people continue to force a passage. Currently (2013) you have to climb on a closure. ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK. From Saint-Cécile, the passage was easier and there is a "Attention" road sign on the fence.
In the tunnel, it is best to enter the middle, where usually fallen stones are removed from the ceiling, and you avoid puddles on the side. The tunnel can also be done without a flashlight, but walk quietly to accustom your eyes to the darkness.

2. Climb of the asphalt forest road (from H = 305m to H = 430m): This road takes you 125m higher directly to the upper point above the railway tunnel. It is rarely used by cars; at the end of the end, it crosses the (largest) road from Herbeumont to the Florenville-Bouillion expressway. Be careful when crossing there.

3. Descending forest path: From the highest point above the railway tunnel, a forest path is taken on the right (first wide, then turning left narrowing towards the two Points de Vue Libaipire which give a beautiful panoramic view of the Tombeau du Chevalier (huge meander that meets closely to the north) and in the distance the ruins of the castle of Herbeumont.
The narrow forest path takes you further down the south side of the Herbeumont railway bridge, where the loop also passed after the start. Now cross this railway bridge and immediately behind it take the forest path on the left, initially flat, but descending rather quickly to the outdoor car park of the lower campsite Arno. From there, return under the railway bridge to your starting point.

This loop can be started anywhere.

Three shortcuts are possible:
1. The point of departure and arrival can be taken on the south side of the Herbeumont railway bridge, at the junction of the loop south of the Semois. There is parking for a few cars there. From here you can eventually go to the railway bridge without having to get off at the Semois.
This is a shortening of 1.5 km; The loop is 10.5 km long from the krusing loop on the southern part.
2. The St.-Cécile center (with drinking establishments....) can be avoided by going down the bridge just before the village center of the railway and going immediately north on the little-used paved road.
This is a shortening of 1.3 km.
If you take shortening 1 and 2 together, you have a non-secant loop 9.2 km long.
3. Provide transportation before the second (up) part. This rising part can be done with the car. For people who do not like to ride or want to jump, agreements can be made for this trip, for example by parking a car in advance in Sainte-Cécile.
This is a shortening of 2.5 km. if you go through St.-Cécile centre, or a shortcut of 3.8km if you do not pass St.-Cécile centre.
If you take shortcuts 1, 2 and 3 together and skip the centre of Saint-Cécile, you have an uncrossed loop with a walking distance of 6.7 km long, and a short uphill car ride.

There is something for everyone....