The needles of Chaleux, Belgium
Located in the province of Namur, in the municipality of Houyet, the Aiguilles de Chaleux are classified as an exceptional heritage site of Wallonia! In this article, we take you to discover this natural monument through a 10 km walk!
The Chaleux Needles are located on the right bank of the Lesse in the municipality of Houyet, in the Namur province.
Our walk begins at the car park of the Gendron-Celles train station.
Les Aiguilles de Chaleux: location on Google Maps
Parking start of the walk: location on Google Maps
After following Rue du Pîrli for about fifty meters, we enter the forest opposite the parking lot, crossing a small bridge spanning a river that flows further down into the Lesse.
The start of the hike is quite physical as it climbs directly onto the plateaus overlooking the valley towards the village of Furfooz.
After crossing the small bucolic village of Furfooz, we continue our journey through the paths that cross the fields and surrounding woods.
After a few hundred meters, a first view of the Aiguilles de Chaleux unfolds before our eyes!
A small bench, the void overlooking the Lesse below and opposite, this rock whose verticality is dizzying (hence its designation as needles)!
The viewpoint of the Aiguilles de Chaleux: location on Google Maps
The continuation of the walk takes us closer to the Chaleux Needles.
A sign indicating the direction to follow takes us through the forest before arriving at the needles and feeling dizzy realizing the height at which the top of this rock stands.
Perched 110 m above the Lesse, we appreciate the incredible view of the Chaleux hamlet and the surrounding nature.
The majestic location is also a meeting place for many mountaineers and water sports enthusiasts who descend the Lesse by kayak.
A small pebble beach at the foot of the needles allows others to enjoy the spectacle by relaxing or eating a picnic.
After enjoying the show, we resume the itinerary of the Chaleux Needles walk, descending towards the Lesse, following it for a while through the forest.
A few kilometers further on, we find the rock which, seen from below, is just as impressive!
The itinerary takes us across the river via the railway bridge, but the river level being quite low, we decide to take off our shoes and cross the river barefoot.
The walk continues through the hamlet of Chaleux, to return to the Gendron-Celles train station along the Lesse river for approximately 3 km.
We will not fail to admire the Aiguilles de Chaleux one last time!
You can find the route of our walk in GPX by clicking on this link
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