Depart from the Stavelot Tourist Office (glass gallery in the Abbey). Cross the town via Place Saint-Remacle until you reach Avenue du Doyard and Rue Marlennes (note: road N68 has heavy traffic). Continue to climb until you reach a small tunnel (dark and not lit - it may be slippery in winter) through which the Hottonruy (stream) flows. Once you exit the tunnel and cross a small road, continue along with the Hottenruy on your left (right bank) and ascend by passing the Vierge chapel then a small lake on your right. Branch off to the right and enter the forested area in the freshly cleared areas. Climb and reach the summit via a forest road. The gradient eases when you reach a grassy, damp firewall which takes you straight to the top of the plateau. On your right, at the crossroads, note the cross of Saint Ferdinand.

Once you reach the summit, the panorama opens out onto the Roannay Valley and while descending you'll be able to enjoy splendid views of the villages of Moulin du Ruy, Borgoumont and Malchamps fens in the distance to the right. Then follow a pleasant descent through a wood to the village of Roanne below which you take an old country lane through the meadows (this neglected path has been renovated by the Commune of Stoumont at the suggestion of Extratrail).

By climbing and crossing route de Roanne-Coo, enjoy the superb oak shaped like an original bullseye. You'll leave the meadows to enter the forest before descending until you reach road N633 between La Gleize and Coo. This descent ends in a private garden (access via two turnstiles) - please go through discreetly without disturbing the residents. Please be extra careful when crossing the N633. Vehicles travel along this road at high speed and the configuration of bends allows for little visibility (the best idea is to head to the right before crossing this busy road).

You are then above the village of La Gleize before traversing the hamlet of La Venne via a schistose path which may be slippery in wet weather. Once you have passed La Venne, it is a gentle climb along the Amblève (river) which will take you to the bridge for the Plopsa Coo theme park. Cross the access bridge to Plopsa Coo then head to the far right of the car park, almost to the foot of the waterfall. A very steep and poorly-maintained footpath takes you to the bridge over the Coo waterfall. Above the stone stairs, turn left and follow the car parks located along the road towards the chairlift.

After one hundred metres, take the very steep staircase which will take you along the forested slope of the Coo chairlift. This is a long and very technical climb with plenty of zig-zags. You will climb to a significant height. When you reach the entrance to the chairlift, the climb is far from over but you can enjoy the panoramic view of the village of Coo and its like while taking a breather. The climb continues until you reach the paraglider take-off zone. Here there is also a small area you can use to enjoy the view of Trois-Ponts.

Half a kilometre later, leave the main path to the right to take a path which takes you over the crest. Just before the Ster lookout area (equipped with a picnic table), the black route (40 km) branches off from the red route to the right.

Continue until you get to a small paved road (Chemin des Masures) which takes you to another small picnic kiosk. Head into the wood opposite you and reach La Croix aux Clous then branch off to the left along a sloping path until you cross the RAVel then the N68 between Trois-Ponts and Stavelot successively. Cross the road with great care (vehicles travel along here at over 90 KM and visibility is very restricted) and head straight on along a path which begins with some steps. This small path weaves up to Domaine Long Pré (holiday centre) and there is a metal walkway that you can use to cross the Amblève.

After the walkway, turn left, go along the river for a few hundred metres before beginning a steady but significant climb. When you arrive at the crossroads, turn left and take a look over the ravine at the foot of which you'll see one of the Amblève branches.

When you get to the pastures, pass an isolated holiday home and then a small wooden bridge for Rau de Bouvin.

Head straight on until you get to Magiru ford and take the Wanne route which leads to Stavelot at the foot of the famous Stockeu cycle route and just across from the Blancs-Moussis premises. Cross the Amblève bridge and reach the Abbey.