Six easy days along the meandering Semois in the Belgian Ardennes — forested ridges, slate villages and famous viewpoints, with a riverside campsite every few kilometres.
The top row shows when the trail itself is in good condition (snow, heat, services). Below it, when each campsite is open — the trek works when both line up. Trail conditions can differ from year to year, so always keep an eye on local websites before and during your trek.
| Row | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trail season | Not advised | Best | Best | Possible | Possible | Best | Not advised |
| Campsites open | |||||||
| Herbeumont | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open |
| Dohan | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Part | Closed |
| Bouillon | Part | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open |
| Poupehan | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| Mouzaive | Part | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Part |
| Bohan | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Closed |
| All campsites open | Part | Open | Open | Open | Open | Part | Closed |
Through the Gaume along the upper Semois, mostly on forest paths and tracks above the river.
The Dolmen d'Azy and a viewpoint over the valley; the Semois winding below wooded slopes.
Supermarkets in Florenville. Little on the way — carry lunch.
Retro-camping Champ le Monde. Campsite in the valley below Herbeumont.
Over forested ridges and down to the river in tight meanders, almost entirely on forest paths.
Herbeumont castle ruins with views over the valley; the meanders at Mortehan and Cugnon.
Small shops in Herbeumont. Very little in Dohan.
Camping Maka. Riverside campsite on a bend of the Semois.
Long forest stretches on the ridges between the river loops.
The Mont de Zatrou viewpoint; arrival in Bouillon below its medieval castle.
Full shops and restaurants in Bouillon.
Camping Papillon. Campsite on the plateau about 2 km above Bouillon (included in today's distance) — do your shopping in town first.
Up out of Bouillon onto the ridges and down to one of the Semois' most famous loops.
Bouillon castle, the Belvédère d'Auclin, the Tombeau du Géant meander, La Roche Gilquin and the Rocher de l'Hermitage.
Stock up in Bouillon. Very limited in Poupehan.
Camping d'Houlifontaine. Two-star campsite on the river at Poupehan.
Across the Semois at Poupehan, then on the GR 16 over the wooded ridge to Frahan and down along the river to Mouzaive.
The Panorama de Frahan over the hamlet in its meander.
Café in Frahan; shops in Alle-sur-Semois, a short detour.
Camping Huttopia Vallée de la Semois. Huttopia campsite on the river at Mouzaive — busy with families in summer.
On the GR 16 along the river to Vresse, then over the wooded hills to Membre and Bohan.
Vresse-sur-Semois and its old bridge; Membre and Bohan near the French border.
Cafés in Vresse; small supermarket and restaurants in Bohan.
Camping La Douane. Family campsite on the river at the edge of Bohan, with a canteen.
Walking times are calculated with the DIN 33466 hiking formula (4 km/h, 300 m/h up, 500 m/h down), without breaks.
The Semois is the most winding river of the Belgian Ardennes. On its way to France it loops back on itself again and again, cutting deep valleys through forested hills. Between the loops sit slate-roofed villages, old tobacco barns and some of the best viewpoints in Belgium.
This route follows the river for six days from Florenville to Bohan. The stages are short, so there is time for a swim, a terrace or a detour to a viewpoint. Expect regular short, steep climbs between the river and the ridges.
Why campsite to campsite here? Few valleys in Europe have so many campsites so close together — in places every few kilometres. That makes the route easy to shorten, lengthen or split in two (Florenville – Bouillon and Bouillon – Bohan).
Automatic check of our eight conditions.
Works with Garmin, Komoot, OsmAnd and other apps.
Report a closed campsite, a detour or a new water point. Every report is checked before the route changes.