The Ladder Walk in Rochehaut is without a doubt the most famous hiking route in Belgium and also one of the most challenging! In this picturesque village between Vresse-sur-Semois and Bouillon, in the province of Luxembourg, you can climb up and down ladders through the forest while enjoying spectacular views over the river Semois. The hike is also known as route 43 or Promenade des Echelles. But whatever you call it, you will find plenty of ladders here!
Practical Info:
- Distance: 7 km
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Difficulty: difficult
- Start: church of Rochehaut
- Signs: red rectangle – number 43
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Start at the church of Rochehaut
The Ladder Walk starts at the church of Rochehaut. In any case, you can park your car there (for free). Here you will also find an information board with more information about the hike and the first red sign that marks the start of the route. If there is no space, it is best to park your car at the Panorama of Frahan.
The hiking route
Although most sources say that the hike is about 5.5 km, the information board at the start does show 7 km. In total, it will take you about 2 to 3 hours to complete the walk, depending on how often you stop for a photo along the way, of course!
From the church, you walk towards the forest where at one point you will come across a warning sign with the text “Walk of the Ladders 43. Dangerous walk not recommended for sensitive people.” Undoubtedly this is a very creative translation of French that immediately puts a smile on your face.
From this point the walk really starts and you notice that immediately. It goes down steeply along narrow forest paths covered with leaves and is sometimes quite slippery. You have to watch out for sliding boulders and unfortunate protruding tree roots. You’ll find not falling is quite a challenge!
As you clamber down, you are treated to a beautiful view every now and then. The forests around the Semois River are a beautiful picture, especially in autumn. Once down, you can paddle in the river. The ideal spot for a stopover, but be aware that you are not even halfway through the walk.
From here you walk a long way along the water. This is a much easier part and a welcome change after the tiring descent. But after another kilometre, the real work begins, because here you go back up the hill. And you do that along iron rods and… ladders of course!
After a quite tiring climb, you arrive at a beautiful viewpoint. Scramble up the protruding rock for an amazing panorama, but be careful, accidents can happen quickly!
It might also be better not to launch a drone here. For example, I myself saw someone crash his drone into one of the high treetops. And even though there were many helpful hands to rescue the drone from the tree, it was quite a crash.
Once you have passed the viewpoint, it is still a short walk and a few high ladders until you end up in civilization again. Be sure to linger in the village of Rochehaut to enjoy the view over Frahan on a terrace. Highly recommended for this is restaurant Point de Vue. The name says it all, from their terrace you have a beautiful view!
Some frequently asked questions
Can you do the walk with a dog?
Not really, unless your dog can walk up ladders. Surprisingly, I did meet a lot of people with dogs on the walk so maybe it is somehow possible.
Is the hike suitable for children?
Yes! I even think it would be a lot of fun to do with children, because they will certainly be able to enjoy themselves. As long as they are not too young, this is doable. A buggy cannot be taken here.
How long does the ladder walk take?
The walk is 7 km long and takes about 2 hours. If you walk briskly you can do this faster, but including a number of stops along the way, it will take you at least 2 hours.
