Griffalou

You are now on top of the Rock of Griffaloux, from where you can enjoy an exceptional view of several emblematic spots of the Rochefort area. Down below, you can see the Wildlife Reserve that is part of the Domain of the Caves of Han. In order to preserve this wonderful and wild natural site, the company that owns the grounds, had the idea of creating a Wildlife Reserve at first only accessible by safari-cars. This animal park was inaugurated in July of 1970 and on its 250 hectares hosts animal species still living or who once populated the area, such as wild boar, wolves, wild cats, foxes, ibex, roe deer, lynxes, tarpans, mountain sheep, stag, aurochs, bison, Highland cattle, brown bears, Przewalski horses, chamois, etc. Since 2012, it is also possible to visit the reserve via the pedestrian path, with observation points and educational panels. At your feet is the exceptional “dry valley”, or “chavée”, or more simply the former bed of the Lesse. The site is absolutely extraordinary from a geological and geomorphological point of view. The former bed of the Lesse, in the dried up river valley (or ‘Chavée’ in Walloon), is now entirely filled up with soil and the valley is now occupied by grasslands and crop fields. The Lesse penetrates the cave of Han at the swallow hole of Belvaux (which is visible during the visit to the Wildlife Reserve). When the river swells, it regains its former bed and floods the whole plain. On the horizon, from left to right, you can also observe: • The antennas for satellite communication in Lessive; • A red and white radio repeater antenna for telecommunication; • One of Chevetogne’s windmills that marks the edge of the Condroz; • The royal castle of Ciergnon.