Grand tour of the Han Caves estate

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A visit to the Caves of Han is a must. At least once in your life, you must go there to admire the natural beauty shaped by water in the Boine limestone massif over millions of years!
Of course, the walk suggested here does not go inside, but takes a wide loop around the forest estate, which has been privately owned and fenced off since the 1960s to preserve its condition. As a result, whilst you can still see the Lesse resurgence, it is unfortunately no longer possible to see beyond the top of the rock at the point where it disappears into the Gouffre de Belvaux.
That said, this walk also offers the chance to discover the Ry d’Ave, the Rocher d’Hérimont, the limestone hill on the north side, the viewpoint at the Rocher de Griffaloux on the east side, the village of Belvaux, the old Lesse quarry, Resteigne Castle, the Tiennes and Pairées nature reserves, the juniper-covered meadows, and the undergrowth carpeted with daffodils, lilies of the valley and other flowers depending on the season.

Details

n°98001212
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.20 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,257 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,240 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 945 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 495 ft
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Photos

From the Rocher de Griffaloux viewpoint

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 574 ft - Ry d'Ave car park on the N86
  2. 1 : mi 0.17 - alt. 712 ft - Viewpoint at the Rocher d'Hérimont
  3. 2 : mi 1.32 - alt. 495 ft - The Lesse
  4. 3 : mi 1.44 - alt. 502 ft - The old Han Caves tram line
  5. 4 : mi 1.96 - alt. 525 ft - Han Caves – resurgence of the - lesse (rivière) - Belgique
  6. 5 : mi 3.77 - alt. 577 ft - Inter-Allied Memorial
  7. 6 : mi 4.31 - alt. 728 ft - Viewpoint at Rocher de Griffaloux
  8. 7 : mi 5.78 - alt. 568 ft - View of the Belvaux chasm and the sinkholes of the - lesse (rivière) - Belgique
  9. 8 : mi 6.74 - alt. 561 ft - Belvaux
  10. 9 : mi 7.89 - alt. 745 ft - Nature reserve
  11. 10 : mi 8.6 - alt. 600 ft - Former quarry at the - lesse (rivière) - Belgique
  12. 11 : mi 8.68 - alt. 600 ft - Resteigne Castle
  13. 12 : mi 10.09 - alt. 781 ft - Lesse and Lomme Nature Reserve
  14. 13 : mi 10.42 - alt. 873 ft - Les Gaudrées
  15. 14 : mi 11.31 - alt. 925 ft - Ruins of Edmond d'Hoffschmidt’s hermitage
  16. 15 : mi 12.87 - alt. 564 ft - Auffe
  17. S/E : mi 13.2 - alt. 571 ft - Ry d'Ave car park on the N86

Worth a visit

The Caves of Han, somewhat chauvinistically described as ‘the most beautiful cave in Europe’, and to a lesser extent the wildlife park. Check the commercial offerings of the (private) estate to see if there is a way to visit the Gouffre de Belvaux independently of the wildlife park...

The Sourd d’Ave, a resurgence showcased by the municipality of Rochefort. Off the beaten track, upstream on the Ry d’Ave between the Fond des Vaux and Limites quarries, between the N94 and the E411 viaduct.

The Éprave Resurgence on the Lomme. Also off the trail, north of Han-sur-Lesse.

Other walks in the area

Walking Han-sur-Lesse geological walk

Visorando Member
Promenade géologique de Han-sur-Lesse
↔5.93 mi ↗+554 ft ↘-551 ft ◔3h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Rochefort (Belgique) (Province de Namur)
UNESCO created the Geopark label to promote geological heritage. On this walk, you will discover part of Belgium's first Geopark, Famenne-Ardenne. On the agenda: caves, clay pits and resurgences.

Walking Around Ave-et-Auffe

Visorando Member
Autour d'Ave-et-Auffe
↔6.47 mi ↗+446 ft ↘-446 ft ◔3h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Rochefort (Belgique) (Province de Namur)
An easy hike accessible via the E411 motorway. Just 5 km from the Caves of Han-sur-Lesse, come and discover the charming village of Ave-et-Auffe, the village of my childhood. Formed by a merger in 1820, it stretches on either side of the Ry d’Ave, on the border with the province of Luxembourg but still within the province of Namur. Beautiful views over the Famenne and the foothills of the Ardennes. Breeding of Ardennes horses and alpacas. In March and April, daffodils, flowerbeds and hawthorns will delight you.

Walking Caves and resurgences near Han-sur-Lesse

Visorando Member
Grottes et résurgences du côté de Han-sur-Lesse
↔10.42 mi ↗+1,066 ft ↘-1,066 ft ◔5h 45 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Rochefort (Belgique) (Province de Namur)
This beautiful nature walk takes you close to Belgium's most famous resurgences: the Lomme and the Lesse, as well as the associated caves. It also offers some lovely views of the surrounding valleys.

Walking Circular via Briquemont

Visorando Member
↔13.36 mi ↗+912 ft ↘-909 ft ◔6h 55 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Rochefort (Belgique) (Province de Namur)
A magnificent circular that takes you through unspoilt woods, starting from Éprave and connecting Briquemont, Ciergnon and Jamblinne, for experienced walkers. In Briquemont, take the path that climbs up to the farm next to the remains of a bus stop, continuing straight ahead until you reach the road, which you cross. Then continue straight ahead until you reach Ciergnon.

Walking Le Sourd d'Ave and La Croix de Jeumont

Visorando Member
Le Sourd d'Ave et la Croix de Jeumont
↔7.51 mi ↗+614 ft ↘-591 ft ◔4h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Wellin (Province de Luxembourg)
The route takes turns along the GR® Monts d'Ardenne trail and the Wellin circular, via Monts and Vaulx.The Sourd d'Ave is a resurgence of the Ry d'Ave located opposite the N835, between the E411 and the N94. There are better places, but there is no choice. The route is equipped with stairs and ropes, making it safe and secure. You can admire the work of the beavers there!The stone Jeumont Cross dated from the late 19th century. It fell during a storm in 1984 (remains can be seen on the site), and a wooden version was erected by the Fraternité de Tibériade in 2022. The site is part of the Natura 2000 network and the chapel at the top of the hill is listed as protected heritage in Wallonia.In addition to opening up onto rolling countryside landscapes, the trail comes quite close to two gigantic quarries, Fond des Vaulx and Les Limites. Both are worth a closer look where possible!

Walking Circular forest from Chanly

Visorando Member
Boucle forestière depuis Chanly
↔11.91 mi ↗+1,631 ft ↘-1,608 ft ◔6h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Wellin (Province de Luxembourg)
Based on sections of Grande Randonnée trails and marked walks, in particular the new 'Par Monts et par Vaulx' circulars inaugurated in 2025 by the Wellin Tourist Office, the walk takes place mainly in magnificent deciduous forests where beech and oak trees reign supreme.

Walking Hermitage and Resteigne Castle

Visorando Member
Ermitage et Château de Resteigne
↔10.20 mi ↗+922 ft ↘-892 ft ◔5h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Tellin (Province de Luxembourg)
A walk starting from Tellin to discover the villages of Resteigne and Belvaux via the La Lesse valley and the Bois de Niau (woodland) where a hermit lived. There are still ruins of the hermitage of this former officer of Napoleon and heir to the Château de Resteigne (castle). On the way go past the Rocher à Pic viewpoint, the Belvaux chapel, the Hermitage, the Mill, the Castle and the old Resteigne quarry.

Walking Circular in Famenne starting from the Château de Lavaux-Sainte-Anne

Visorando Member
Boucle en Famenne au départ du Château de Lavaux-Sainte-Anne
↔13.83 mi ↗+1,020 ft ↘-1,014 ft ◔7h 15 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Rochefort (Belgique) (Province de Namur)
Lavaux-Saint-Anne is an ideal place to start a hike that is half countryside, half forest, not only in Famenne but also in Calestienne. The route offers beautiful panoramic views of the Famenne depression. The Château de Lavaux-Sainte-Anne is listed as a major heritage site in Wallonia. It is open to visitors and features 32 furnished and decorated rooms, 3 themed museums, a wetland area and a deer park.Revogne Castle is not open to visitors but is clearly visible on arrival in the village from the other side of the Wimbe. The route passes through the old gate of the medieval enclosure and the small church located on the hillside below the castle. The third historical gem of the hike is the imposing building of the Ferme d'Esclaye. However, the castle is not visible from public paths.

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