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Belgium
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Marche-En-Famenne
La Roche-En-Ardenne

Le Cheslé Celtic Hillfort

Discover
Places to see

Natural Monuments

Belgium
Wallonia

Wallonie

Marche-En-Famenne
La Roche-En-Ardenne

Le Cheslé Celtic Hillfort

Highlight • Historical Site

Le Cheslé Celtic Hillfort

Recommended by 123 hikers out of 129

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Parc naturel des deux Ourthes

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    Location: La Roche-En-Ardenne, Marche-En-Famenne, Wallonie, Wallonia, Belgium

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    Best Hikes to Le Cheslé Celtic Hillfort

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    2. Ourthe Riverside Trail – Le Hérou Rock Formation loop from Maboge

    15.7km

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    4.7

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    3. La Roche-en-Ardenne – View of La Roche-en-Ardenne loop from Maboge

    25.2km

    07:32

    760m

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    Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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    Hard

    Tips

    April 16, 2019

    Here is a former fortified Celtic settlement, which was surrounded by a double wall made of earth, slate and wood, which stretched for a length of about 1750 meters.
    These are dry stone walls with raised areas made of wattle.
    From 1960 excavations and reconstructions take place here.

    Translated by Google •

      April 21, 2021

      Le Cheslé is a Celtic camp just southwest of the village of Bérismenil in the municipality of La Roche-en-Ardenne in the Belgian province of Luxembourg. The camp is difficult to reach and is located on a rocky promontory that rises 80 meters above the river Ourthe in the brook valley like a kind of peninsula. In the east, south and west the rock is surrounded by the Ourthe, which meanders around the high plateau. On the north side is the only access, which was originally only accessible via a narrow path on a ridge. The fort's grounds cover 14 hectares. The fortress is largely protected by the steep walls and on the less steep parts a double wall of earth, slate and wood has been constructed over 1750 meters long.
      Between the eighth and sixth centuries BC. the fort was probably not inhabited continuously, but was used as a shelter for the inhabitants of the nearby villages.
      The area has been undergoing extensive archaeological research since 1960. In 1980, the structure on the north side of the fortress was reconstructed on site by the National Excavation Association. With its excavations, the Free University of Brussels has investigated the structure of the barrier wall in the most vulnerable spot of the fortress, which was erected 6 meters high.
      Today it is a nature reserve with excavated and reconstructed walls. From the camp one has a view over that part of the valley of the Ourthe.

      Translated by Google •

        November 17, 2021

        A walking path of about 1.5 km runs over the historic ramparts. You will notice for yourself that this fortress was impregnable. The Celtic settlement of approximately 14 hectares was largely protected by steep rock faces and wooden structures and double walls of earth and slate were built on the less steep parts.

        Translated by Google •

          July 30, 2022

          Former Celtic fortress. Serious archaeological excavations have been started here since 1960. The Cheslé, derived from Châtelet or Burg, is a Celtic fortress (probably the largest in Belgium - 13 hectares) built between the 8th and 6th centuries BC. was inhabited. Source: luxembourg-belge.be/diffusio/fr/voir-faire/visiter/chateaux-monuments/berismenil/la-forteresse-celtique-du-chesle_TFO12665.php Translation: Google Translate

          Translated by Google •

            May 16, 2022

            Very nice historical place.

            Translated by Google •

              November 17, 2021

              Fragment from our Arduenna Experience 07 November - 12 November 2021
              In the footsteps of the Celts... Day 4
              Where did our distant ancestors live…
              Where were they hiding?
              A fascinating trip from the present to 3000 years back in the past.
              A walk without too much imagination, you can taste the history here and you can read it in the landscape.
              We are ready to delve into the past.
              From the village of Bérismenil we descend along old cart tracks and wide forest roads to the Celtic settlement - Le Cheslé.
              The carved ox tracks in the rocks reveal features of an ancient civilization.
              Apart from the rustling fallen leaves, it is almost silent during our descent. Be aware that it is quite busy here on the weekends. Everyone wants to walk in the footsteps of their ancestors.
              After 2.5 km, close to the settlement, we reach a bench with a breathtaking panoramic view over the meander of the Ourthe.
              The autumn sun gives warmth and dancing mosquitoes keep us company while we enjoy our delicious cup of tea.
              Musing on the combative and determined Celts…
              In our imagination lie arrows fired in the undergrowth that have not hit the target.

              A stone's throw from these arrows, information boards provide information about the Celtic settlement.
              Literally, a stone's throw further, and we are at the old stone ramparts.
              Triggered by the past, we walk down the historic ramparts of more than 1.5 km.
              This fortress was impregnable. The settlement of approximately 14 hectares was largely protected by steep cliffs and wooden structures and double walls of earth and slate were built on the less steep parts. Enough history sniffed
              The view at the reconstructed entrance gate encourages us to look for adventure at the 100 meters lower Ourthe.
              The bed of Ruisseau Mobage quickly takes us to a new adventure...
              Read more? All hiking experiences can be found in the collection Arduenna Experience - Luxembourg 2021

              Translated by Google •

                November 25, 2021

                A footpath of about 1.5 km runs through the historic ramparts. You will notice that this fortress was impregnable. The Celtic settlement of about 14 hectares was largely protected by steep rock faces and wooden structures and double walls of earth and slate were built on the less steep parts.

                Translated by Google •

                  August 31, 2021

                  If you come from the Ourthe it is quite a climb, but definitely worth including in your trip.

                  Translated by Google •

                    December 6, 2021

                    Take a dive into the past. Information boards provide information.

                    Translated by Google •

                      December 15, 2024

                      It is the largest Celtic fortress in Belgium, inhabited between the 8th and 6th centuries BC. The site covers 13 hectares and the double ramparts are over 1,750 metres long. This reconstruction gives an insight into the ingenuity (*creativity and inventiveness) of this people and illustrates the deterrent effect of the fortress on potential invaders.
                      According to local folk tradition, this impressive and difficult to access place was once a hiding place for all elves. However, undeniable traces of occupation indicate the presence of a little-known ethnic group.
                      Source: mini-ardenne.be/poi.card.php?language=fr&id=1265

                      Translated by Google •

                        December 15, 2024

                        The legend of the "Gatte d'or", the golden goat, refers to the legend that a fabulous treasure is hidden in a well in the centre of the fortifications, which appears every year at Christmas, when the bells ring twelve times for midnight mass. Anyone who wants to take possession of the treasure must throw a black chicken into the well shaft and grab the treasure without uttering a word. Three farmers who took up the challenge but expressed their joy at grabbing the treasure too loudly disappeared never to be seen again.
                        Source: cirkwi.com/de/point-interet/2063802-die-keltische-festung-chesle-kulturerbe-der-wallonie

                        Translated by Google •

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                          Elevation 370 m

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                          Location: La Roche-En-Ardenne, Marche-En-Famenne, Wallonie, Wallonia, Belgium

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