Top 20 Caves ナンドゥランでの

Beautiful rock formations at Les Awirs with caves and climbing rocks

Located in the Solières valley near Huy, the Trou Manto cave is a limestone cave with a complex network of tunnels. Access is via a steep path supported by a rope. The cave has three levels with magnificent stalactites, a sloping floor with collapses, and twelve large columns supporting the vaults. The entire structure is an impressive karst phenomenon, approximately 600 meters long and 48 meters deep. The cave is protected and fenced off due to vandalism and to protect bats; visits are only possible with a guide or a caving association. The cave is known for its diverse hydrological phenomena and the legend of the Nutons, gnome-like helper beings from folklore. This combination of nature, history, and mythology makes Trou Manto a special place.

A collection of four caves, two of which are closed off as bat roosts. A steep climb or descent over a rocky path is definitely worth it.

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.

A magnificent hiking trail, but not to be underestimated. Along the hillside, you'll walk through rock formations, some of which you'll have to crawl through, and past viewpoints overlooking the Ourthe Valley. Some caves are accessible, but only after a short, steep climb. Be careful.

This is a cave I used to visit a long time ago. Before, you could start at the very bottom and work your way up to the top of the quarry. Now, I don't think that's possible anymore.

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).

Approach (Parking) 50.556177, 5.579821 This massif consists of various climbing routes with varying degrees of difficulty. 1) La Dalle → The Slab 2) Porche de la Grotte → Portal of the Grotto or Entrance to the Cave 3) Porche Triangulaire / The Anticlinal → Triangular Portal / The Anticlinal 4) Dalle Supérieure → Upper Slab 5) Les Bombés → The Overhangs