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Wallonie

Schmerling Caves site

Caves

Wallonie

Schmerling Caves site

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Schmerling Caves site

Name: Schmerling Caves site
Rating: 2

Recommended by 21 hikers

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Location: Flémalle, Liège, Liège, Wallonie, Wallonia, Belgium

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Best Hikes to Schmerling Caves site

4.6

(46)

158

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1. Aux Roches Nature Reserve – Aigremont Castle loop from Awirs

13.2km

03:53

370m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.1

(20)

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2. View of the Awirs Rocks – Old Lime Kiln loop from Awirs

10.3km

02:49

160m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.6

(41)

148

hikers

3. Aux Roches Nature Reserve – Aigremont Castle loop from Leman

13.5km

03:59

390m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

Tips

October 18, 2024

In 1829, the Dutch physician Philippus Schmerling found prehistoric remains here. He discovered the Neanderthal man before Neandertal would give it its name after similar finds there in 1856. The caves in which the bones were found are no longer accessible. The area is still known as the site des Grottes Schmerling. Source: ultimatehiking.be/dagtocht-steengroeven-mullerthal-kastelen-langs-maas

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fg Bob 🤠🚴‍♂️ 🌲 🦌 👍🛞

March 30, 2025

Although the caves are no longer accessible, they are worth the detour for their unexpected beauty. The red earth blends perfectly with the gray of the rock walls and the green of its abundant ivy.
There were originally four caves on this site. The first disappeared due to limestone mining between 1890 and 1900. Exploring the Cockerill quarry massif, Philippe-Charles Schmerling discovered four caves on the site called Trô Cwaheur (= cut, tear).
In the second cave, he unearthed two human skulls in 1829, one said to be Cro-Magnon and the second a Neanderthal child. The bones were associated with extinct fauna and presented the same state of preservation. At a time when biblical theory still prevailed, he began to prove the appearance of humans on earth more than 4,000 years ago. But, misunderstood, it would be necessary to wait for the discoveries made in the Neander Valley, in Germany, to see his thesis confirmed. It was a close call for "Neanderthal man" to be called "Awirs man". The site belongs to the Société Carmeuse and has been classified since 1978. The ditch that can be seen on the site is due to a subsidence of the ground following the exploitation of alum. Alum was exploited in this place from 1580 until the middle of the 18th century (around 1740).

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Peter 🥾🐾🌲

October 21, 2025

The complex originally consisted of four caves, some of which have now disappeared due to natural collapse and the proximity of quarries. The caves have been protected as cultural heritage in Wallonia since 1978 and have an exceptional status due to their scientific value. Although the caves themselves are currently not open to the public, the site remains an important archaeological and natural history location that visualizes the evolution of humanity.

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Elevation 120 m

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Location: Flémalle, Liège, Liège, Wallonie, Wallonia, Belgium

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Schmerling Caves site

1. Aux Roches Nature Reserve – Aigremont Castle loop from Awirs

2. View of the Awirs Rocks – Old Lime Kiln loop from Awirs

3. Aux Roches Nature Reserve – Aigremont Castle loop from Leman

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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