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View of the Ruins – Monks' Pond loop from Craonne

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

View of the Ruins – Monks' Pond loop from Craonne

Moderate

4.1

(8)

hikers

View of the Ruins – Monks' Pond loop from Craonne

03:00

11.2km

140m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: May 16, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

60 m

California Plateau

Highlight • Viewpoint

The Plateau de Californie, situated above the ruined village of Craonne, was a strategic high point during the First World War. In April 1917, it became the scene of fierce fighting during the Nivelle Offensive. French troops suffered heavy losses here in their attempt to break through the German lines.

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763 m

Plateau de Californie

Highlight • Historical Site

The California Plateau is a historic site that was the scene of fierce battles during World War I. Today it is a wooded area with trails that offer panoramic views of the Aisne valley and the remains of trenches and shell craters. The plateau is classified as a red zone, which means that the ground is still contaminated by explosives and chemical weapons. You must not deviate from marked trails and respect the signs indicating dangerous areas. The plateau is also a place of memory and commemoration for the soldiers who fought and died there.

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1.92 km

La St Victor Vauclerc

Highlight • Other

beautiful hike

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5.44 km

View of the Ruins

Highlight • Historical Site

From here you have a nice view of the area

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5.76 km

Monks' Pond

Highlight • Lake

The re-created forest around the little pond hardly reminds of the WWI front line.

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5.87 km

Bank

Highlight • Other

Bench that invites you to linger with a view of the lake.

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6.13 km

Großer kostenloser Parkplatz

Highlight • Other

The parking lot is very large and also suitable for motorhomes. There is also an information board and a table with benches on site.

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9.02 km

Napoleon Statue in Craonne

Highlight • Monument

This stone statue of Napoleon 1st, sculpted by Georges THUROTTE, commemorates the victory of the French armies at Craonne against the Russian and Prussian armies of General Blücher on March 7, 1814, which caused 12,000 deaths (7,000 French and 5,000 Russians, including the graves communes were dispersed during the battles of the First World War).

Placed high on a mound and built on the former location of the Moulin de Vauclerc which served as an observatory for the Emperor, the limestone statue represents the Emperor scanning the horizon, in a dignified position.
An enamelled table presents the plan of the battle of Craonne

Erected by the Departmental Tourism Committee and the Departmental Union of Offices and Syndicates of Initiatives of the Aisne, the building was inaugurated on June 30, 1974 by Michel Poniatowski, then Minister of State and Interior.

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11.2 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

9.57 km

917 m

588 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

9.06 km

849 m

655 m

439 m

152 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (190 m)

Lowest point (90 m)

Weather

Wednesday 1 July

24°C

12°C

40 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 19.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

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View of the Ruins – Monks' Pond loop from Craonne

California Plateau

Plateau de Californie

La St Victor Vauclerc

View of the Ruins

Monks' Pond

Bank

Großer kostenloser Parkplatz

Napoleon Statue in Craonne

Nearby routes

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