Vélomédiane 2025: La Petite Crique

La Petite Crique is a challenging 92km cycling loop in the heart of the Ardennes. This 2025 edition crosses valleys, forests, and plateaus typical of the region, with a succession of long climbs and fast descents. The route alternates between rolling sections and more selective climbs, in a decidedly sporting atmosphere.

The route begins in the La Roche-en-Ardenne region, before quickly joining the first rolling roads towards the forest massifs of the Bois Tayenne area. This long, gradual section allows riders to establish a rhythm before the first real challenges.

The route then crosses several valleys and Ardennes villages such as Mierchamps, Journal, Cens and Wyompont, with an alternation of false flats, rapid descents and regular climbs.

One of the first significant difficulties is the climb to Lavaux, short but particularly steep with sections exceeding 14%.

The loop then continues towards Lavacherie, Trêfontaine and Warempage, on more open but constantly hilly roads. The terrain gradually becomes more challenging in the second half of the route with several successive climbs.

The Filly and Wibrin sector is one of the key moments of the day, before tackling the climb of the Haussire, considered one of the toughest climbs in Belgium. After this ascent, a long, fast descent allows for a gradual return to La Roche-en-Ardenne.

• Length: between 3.9 and 4.6 km
  

• Elevation gain: 205 m
  

• Average gradient: 6.4% and 7.8%
  

• Maximum altitude of the route: 498 m

• La Roche-en-Ardenne : Starting and finishing town of the loop.

• Bois Tayenne : Long forested section at the beginning of the route.

• Mierchamps, Journal and Cens : Villages crossed in the first half of the circuit.

• Wyompont and Lavacherie : More rolling sections between valleys and plateaus.

• Trêfontaine and Warempage : Hilly areas in the heart of the Ardennes.

• Filly and Wibrin : A series of sustained climbs before the Haussire.

• La Haussire : Iconic climb and highest point of the route.