belgium- showcaves/caves near Brussels

[newcastlecaver]

going to Brussels for a few days with work this week and got Saturday off (till 4pm)- anyone know any decent showcaves or possible easy dry caves I could do- can't take any gear with me other than light or maybe fleecy- anyone know anything/ anywhere worth going?

thanks, graham

 

[graham]

If you've got no gear & limited time then shoot across to Han & do the show cave. It is one of the best three or four in Europe.

Or was when I was last there about 12 years ago, anyway.

 

[damian]

I'd second that, Graham.

"Grottes de Han" - well worth a visit.

 

[Pitlamp]

But if you can blag a trip in the Grotte De Pierre Noel nearby, it's stunning.  Very political getting in there but you only need minimal gear. 

 

[AndyF]

Yes "Grottes de Han" are the best. You go around on a boat IIRC.

Watch out for the dodgey light show to a John & Vangelis soundtrack at the end.......

 

[Les W]

Yes "Grottes de Han" are the best. You go around on a boat IIRC.

Watch out for the dodgey light show to a John & Vangelis soundtrack at the end.......

And watch out for the cannon...

...and the bit where the guide says "be prepared to be surprised" 

 

[andymorgan]

It seems that people can name five famous Belgian showcaves!

 

[graham]

It seems that people can name five famous Belgian showcaves!

Easy:

Couvin
Remouchamp
Han
Hotton
Dinant
"du Pont d'Arcole"
Rochefort

I'd have to look in the log for the rest ...

 

[rhychydwr1]

For a full list see:

http://www.showcaves.com/english/be/index.html

 

[newcastlecaver]

thanks for the info- I'm going to try and get to Grottes de Han for the day- looks good,

G

 

[GemmaJones]

Thought you'd bottle the real cave and opt for the showcave! Hee hee!!  You armchair caver!! 

 

[newcastlecaver]

cheers for the tip- Grottes de Han was very impressive- stunning formations, I was almost convinced by the end that some of them were fakes or had been stuck in odd places- really impressive and just endless formations plus a few token bats flying around for good effect, there are a few underground lakes and very large chambers. You leave by getting into a boat and they take you out the downstream entrance- I've not been in a showcave before where they take you in a  completely different entrance - you get a tram to the entrance which is quite far away from the resurgence.

G

 

[graham]

Good, isn't it.  And you got to see more cave than on any other trip you could have managed in the time available.