Roche du Saut Thibault, le saut du cheval par-dessus la Semoy

Les Hautes-Rivières

In the Semoy valley, near Linchamps, at Les Hautes-Rivières, a cliff of about 25 m juts out over the river: the roche du Saut Thibault. According to the legend, a lord named Thibault, pursued by his enemies, spurred his horse so hard that it cleared the river in a single bound. The marks of the animal's shoes in the stone are still shown. The ‘route des légendes’ of the Ardennes gives a variant: the rider shouted ‘Allez, saute Thibault !’ to his mount, and both are said to groan on full-moon nights. A narrow path leads to the summit, from which one discovers the vallée de Saint-Jean, says the tourist office. No historical lord is identified: the sources read give neither date nor family name, and do not say where the tale comes from. The rock is in the Parc naturel régional des Ardennes, where protection rules apply. Not far away, at Linchamps, tradition also places the ghost of the last châtelaine of Linchamps, who spins at her spinning wheel in a ruined tower.

Getting there: Free, in the Semoy valley (Parc naturel régional des Ardennes), near Linchamps. A narrow path climbs to the summit according to Visit Ardenne; the hiking loop from Linchamps is judged difficult (18 km). Approximate coordinates: map centre of the Komoot sheet; the exact position was not verified (OpenStreetMap unavailable during the search).

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound