Kayaking and Canoeing from the Semois to the Semoy
Description
The source of the River Semois is at Arlon, capital of the Belgian province of Luxembourg. It flows for 195km and changes its spelling to “Semoy” for the 20km or so of its route through France. For around 96km, from the La Vierre dam at Chiny as far as the French border, visitors can use canoes or kayaks all year round, depending on water levels. You can either travel the entire length in stages over several days, or you can enjoy day trips. As well as taking you through picturesque traditional villages, the Semois also flows through wooded national parks and under bridges built in the traditional local style.
Technical informations
140 km
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max. 334 m
min. 143 m
2385 m
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Altimetric profile
Starting point
Steps
Lacusine - Landing and boarding:
- Area of Le Hât - Beach of La Cuisine
Hire a kayak or canoe
X-Cape : One day hire: 11 or 8 kms in kayaks for two people. Numerous combinations with other activities for individuals or groups. More information: www.x-cape.be
Chassepierre - Landing and boarding
Village of Chassepierre - Area called « Mez de la Roche » (meadow in front of campsite « les Cabrettes » Village of Sainte Cécile - Area called « Conroy » (at the campsite of Sainte Cécile)
Sainte-Cécile - Landing and boarding
Area "Conroy" (in camping of Sainte-Cécile)
Herbeumont - landing and boarding
- Area called « Champ le Monde » (upstream from the viaduct, right bank) - Area called « Moulin Willaime » (right bank)
Mortehan - Cugnon : Landing and boarding
Village of Mortehan - Area called « Pont de Lingle » (upstream from the bridge, left bank) Village of Cugnon - Area at the campsite « Saint Remacle » (campsite on the right bank)
Les Hayons - Landing and boarding
- Area called « Gué du Maka » (25 meters downstream from the campsite, right bank)
Dohan - landing and boarding
- Area at the bridge of Dohan (40 meters downstream from the bridge, left bank)
Noirefontaine - landing and boarding
- Area called 'Gué du Han du Han' (25 meters downstream from the brook of the Moulin Hideux, right bank)
Bouillon - hire a kayak or canoe
- Semois-Kayaks Hire for one day: Bouillon - Poupehan (15 kms), Poupehan - Frahan (4 kms) On request: journeys of several days in a 3 seater canoe. Two offices: Bouillon (near the bridge of Cordemois) and Poupehan-sur-Semois (under the bridge). More information : www.semois-kayaks.be - Les Epinoches Hire for one day: distances of 7, 14 or 28 kms. On request: journeys of several days in a kayak (1 or 2 seats) or a canoe. + d’infos : www.kayak-lesepinoches.be/ - Semois Aventure Go canoeing on the Semois in a giant 9 seater canoe. Many options and combinations with other activities: adventure trail, archery… More information: www.semois-aventure.com/index.php/fr/
Frahan - Landing and boarding
- Area at the footbridge (left bank) - Area called Aire des Crêtes (left bank)
Poupehan - inschepen en uitstappen
- Area at the bridge of Poupehan (quay under the bridge, right bank)
MEMBRE-sur-SEMOIS - Le point location canoë
Le Tourbillon Info : 061/61.37.53
NOHAN-sur-SEMOY - Embarquer et débarquer
- Aire du camping du Faucon (rive droite)
THILAY - Embarquer et débarquer
- Aire du village de Thilay (200 m en amont du pont – Rive droite).
Points of interest
Chiny - hire a kayak or a canoe
- L’auberge de l’embarcadère From Chiny to Lacuisine, Florenville or Chassepière: 8 to 26 kms in a 1 or 2 seater kayak or a canoe. www.semois-en-kayak.be/ - Le Batifol - Hire for one day. From Chiny to Lacuisine or Chassepierre: 12 to 25 kms in very stable kayaks for one or two people or canoes. Groups can be accompanied by a guide (at extra cost). - Hire for one hour on the reservoir of Chiny. Every day at the Saint Nicolas bridge at Chiny near the entrance of the campsite Le Canada (follow the signs) from 09:00. www.kayaklebatifol.be/index2.php?m=kayak_le_batifol_fr-1-le_batifol
The Mill and the trellis bridge
Walking in the Semois valley when spring comes is delightful! The banks of the river are scattered with thousands of flowers. On the way to the bridge lies the beautiful Mortehan mill: at dawn, its wheel still stirs the waters of the race. Down below, the Semois valley lazily criss-crosses a vast meadow, rich in the river’s alluvial deposits. With the beginnings of warm weather, we can cross the Semois ford on foot, once the only way for the people of the valley’s villages. In season, a trellis bridge is thrown across the water. On the other side, a delightful route ascends the slope. The forest is majestic, as are all the massifs that encircle the Semois.
The castle and the legend of Godfrey of Bouillon
Even though the castle today bears little resemblance to that of 1096, it is well worth visiting as the presence of Duke Godfrey can still be sensed: a strange feeling pervades you as you stroll through the ruins, as if the shadow of this great leader of the first crusade could appear in the knight’s’ room or the spiral stairs at any moment… Within the castle walls, the sense of wonder continues when birds of prey rise up from the ruins and perform a heavenly ballet. This show brings to mind an age-old hunting technique: falconry.
Reception and tourist information site - Syndicat d'initiative de Chiny
rue du Millénaire, 6 - 6810 Chiny Tél. : +32 (0)61/31.54.04 chiny-si@skynet.be www.chinytourisme.eu Open : Summer : everyday except Wednesday and Sunday Winter : variable schedule from Tuesday to Saturday
Tourist reception site - La Maison du tourisme du Pays de la Semois entre Ardenne & Gaume
Esplanade du Panorama, 1 - 6820 Florenville +32 (0)61/31.12.29 info@semois-tourisme.be www.semois-tourisme.be Open all year round Low season : from 9am to 6pm (from 10am to 4 pm Sunday) July ang August and Easter holidays : every day from 9am to 7pm and each Friday from April to October Closed 25th December and 1st January
Tourist information - Syndicat d'initiative de Muno
rue de l'Enfer,1 - 6820 Muno +32 (0)61/32.00.19 jabertaux@hotmail.com Open every day in July and August from 2pm to 5pm the rest of the year, open by appointment only
Tourist information site - Section locale du SI de Florenville
rue du Breux, 3 - 6824 Chassepierre Tél. : +32 (0)61/31.24.74
Reception and tourist information site - Royal Syndicat d'initiative d'Herbeumont
avenue des Combattants, 7 - 6887 Herbeumont +32 (0)61.41.24.12 rsih@skynet.be www.herbeumont-tourisme.be Open each weekend and during school holidays and public holidays from 9.30am to midday and from 1.30pm to 5pm. Closed on Monday
Maison du tourisme du Pays de Bouillon
quai des Saulx, 12 - 6830 Bouillon +32 (0)61/46.52.11 info@bouillon-tourisme.be www.bouillon-tourisme.be Open all year round from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm and on Sunday from 10am to 5 pm Closed on 25th December to 1st January
Royal Syndicat d'initiative de Bouillon
located at the entrance to the fortified castle esplanade Godefroid, 1 - 6830 Bouillon +32 (0)61/46.62.57 info@bouillon-initiative.be www.bouillon-initiative.be Open : - all year round except 25th December and 1st January - In December, January and February morning
