Le Pichegru – VTT FFC n°27

D/A Start opposite the church of Chooz. Take the street passing in front of the town hall, turn right then left to cross the Meuse. Continue left on the Voie Verte towards Givet for 2 km.

1 Leave the Voie Verte at the level of the wooden barrier to take the Chemin de l'Aviette climbing to the right (castle and lodging of the same name nearby) and continue to the village of Rancennes: beautiful view of the blue stone quarries and on the fort of Charlemont.

2 In Rancennes, at the 2nd intersection turn right onto rue de Givet, continue and take rue du poteau on the left.

3 Leave the street to climb the dirt road on the right alongside a pasture. Keep it for 750 m passing through the middle of a small wood (stone cross dating from 1770). At
end of the road, turn right and follow the logging road with ruts that are regularly flooded.

4 Cross the road to take the paved path set back on the right. Reach the road below and head right to the village of Charnois.

5 Pass the town hall and follow the street to the right, pass in front of a second stone cross and continue up the road up to the isolated Pichegru farm. Continue straight and descend the path steeped in undergrowth for 2 m [750% slope].

6 Coming out of the woods, take the path passing through 2 pastures and turn right.

7 Go down the forest track which winds for 1,2 km towards the Meuse [8% slope with gravel and barrier at the end of the descent]. At the intersection, follow the paved road to the right towards the bridge to reach the starting point.