Beersel walks

A splendid piece of nature to discover near the capital, straddling the provinces of Flemish Brabant and Walloon Brabant. Half countryside, half forest, the walk is only semi-urban around km 5, along the railway line, and between km 9 and 10 in a residential area on either side of the Ermite crossroads.

A lovely little walk around the enchanting Sept Fontaines ponds between Rhode-Saint-Genèse and Braine l'Alleud. It also takes you off the beaten track through the surrounding countryside and forests.

Starting from the Seven Fountains Ponds, this circular walk takes you through a variety of landscapes: ponds, rivers, woods, meadows and fields, spread out on either side of the linguistic border – a border of language, but not a border in nature. How many times during the walk do you find yourself wondering: “Which Brabant am I in? Flemish Brabant or Walloon Brabant?”

Starting from the Dworp football pitch, the walk follows the green belt to the south of the Dworp conurbation, joining the picturesque path that runs alongside the Chapitre stream (Kapittelbeek) and finally enters the Bois de Hal proper.From one tree-lined avenue to the next, the route passes through magnificent chestnut and beech woods before emerging into the countryside around Braine-l’Alleud.After the historic boundary marker of the Sonian Forest, dating from the 16th century, the route changes direction towards the Sept Fontaines ponds, running alongside the golf course of the same name. The former Abbey of Sept Fontaines and its farm are now, unfortunately, part of a private estate and are virtually invisible from the public paths.

The Bois de Hal is renowned for the magnificent carpets of hyacinths that decorate the undergrowth in spring, usually from mid-April to early May.The hyacinths are preceded by anemones and followed in some places by wild garlic.With a little luck and, above all, a lot of patience, you may be able to spot a deer or two grazing or frolicking a little further away, in the undergrowth away from the paths.

Linkebeek is one of the municipalities on the outskirts of Brussels. This walk takes in unspoilt landscapes, despite being close to the capital. These consist of woods, fields, meadows, parks, ponds and a small stream: the Linkebeek, which you follow for part of this walk.

The walk passes through Kinsendael Park, Buysdelle Woods, the Artists' Valley, Shaveys Park, Verrewinkel Woods, Fond Roy Park, the Avijl plateau, Kauwberg and Sauvagère Park. Return to the starting point via Kriekenput.

A lovely walk that takes you through countryside and parks, but which also highlights the development that is encroaching on the outskirts of the capital.

A splendid walk in the Bois de Hal, famous for its carpets of wild hyacinths in April, but let’s not forget the anemones that bloom a little earlier. This circular walk of around 6 km follows the paths and trails of the "Reebokwandeling" and the "hyacintenwandeling", two signposted walks featured on the official Bois de Halle website (see practical information).

The Bois de Hal is particularly renowned for its carpets of hyacinths.Walking along its paths in another season and combining the forest with the surrounding countryside is the essence of this walk.

A 5 km circular route, largely shaded, in and around the pretty and very peaceful Kwadebeek Valley (which is a ‘natuurpunt’ in Rhode-Saint-Genèse). No traffic noise (what a joy!) but plenty of birdsong in spring.

A lovely walk starting from the city centre, taking in parks, unspoilt green spaces, the countryside, ponds and the Forêt de Soignes.

A flat route along the canal to Fauquez. Then the terrain becomes hilly with a steep climb at Charly-des-bois through the Bois de la Houssière. Then the descent begins towards Tubize town centre, and the route remains flat until the return.

The main route starts at Prince d'Orange and enters the Sonian Forest. Then head towards Boitsfort and the Ponds of the Drowned Children. The path then joins Hermite Pond before returning to Prince d'Orange.

The route follows three streams in the forest: the Bocq, the Vuylbeek and the Source Laineuse. It is a circular route best tackled in dry weather. Normally, the route follows footpaths. Please make sure you do not take any paths reserved for horse riders: if you encounter this issue, take a detour and (please) mention it in the comments.

A lovely little walk where you can enjoy the coolness of the Sonian Forest on hot days or the magnificent autumn colours. In spring, carpets of hyacinths and anemones add touches of blue and pinkish-white to certain parts of the forest.

A lovely circular walk in the lower part of the municipality of Forest. First, the walk takes you along Rue Kersbeek with its beautiful houses. Next, Brel Park with its remarkable trees and monuments. Then, the Forest Miniature Railway, a miniature railway network located in Bempt Park, in Forest, in the Brussels-Capital Region. Finally, the Forest-Vert garden city is a mixed-use social housing estate in the lower part of Forest, in Brussels. Take a stroll through Bempt Park, near the ponds, and you’ll see ducks swimming in groups. It’ll be a moment of tranquillity away from the hustle and bustle of the city. To round off the walk, treat yourself to a delicious artisan ice cream at Tutta Panna – the perfect way to end the walk! As you head towards the station, you can’t miss a lovely, colourful mosaic under the Forest-Est bridge.

Walk between the two Brabants, through residential neighbourhoods and fields… A stroll through quiet neighbourhoods, perfect for walking with family or friends.

Set off to explore a walk through fields, woods and orchards in the countryside around Rhode-Saint-Genèse. This walk takes in the communal orchard, which has been laid out in a fun and original way, views over small valleys, walks through meadows among cows and horses, and remarkable trees.

Welcome to Lembeek, where nature and history intertwine at every turn. The Kasteelpark, the former castle grounds, offers a romantic19th-century atmosphere. Nearby, the Malakoff Tower (1854), built as a folly, served as a viewpoint over the valley. The Zenne and its tributaries (Vijverbeek, Maasdalbeek, Mollebeek) shape a wetland landscape that was once ideal for mills. It is a varied walk through water, woods, history and legends.

There are plenty of forest paths and uneven surfaces. The route starts in the Chenois neighbourhood, heading towards Rhode-St-Genèse. It’s a long ride through the forest towards the Groenendaele ponds, passing by the Château des 3 Fontaines and then the Rouge-Cloitre. You should then head towards the cycle bridge over the ring road. The return route takes you via Notre-Dame au Bois (with plenty of places to stop: speciality beers, tartine with fromage blanc and mussels, etc.), Hoeilart, then La Hulpe (near Solvay Park), the Royal Estate of Argenteuil, a cycle path running alongside the ring road towards the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel and the Waterloo Ducks’ hockey ground, returning via the centre of Waterloo.

This is a direct route that runs along the edge of the Soignes Forest. There are few roads and the junctions are safe. One tricky spot is when crossing the junction under the Hermann-Debroux viaduct. There is another route further to the east which passes through a lovely neighbourhood in Auderghem before reaching the Sonian Forest and crossing it.

A very beautiful and varied route, set against the backdrop of the Sonian Forest.

A beautiful little hike, mainly on trails interspersed with a few short stretches on quiet roads, offering beautiful panoramic views and some magnificent trees. You may be lucky enough to spot a deer or two, a fox or a badger as you pass through one of the shady corners of the walk. Take the time to soak up the serenity of the undergrowth and stop at the foot of the remarkable trees.

This walk is an extension of walk no. 82622036 (no. 357) "On the heights of Braine-le-Château". It extends from 5.5 km to 11.5 km and takes you through part of the Bois de Hal to admire the carpets of flowers, including blue hyacinths in spring.

A walk between the town and green spaces in the upper part of the municipality of Forest. The route passes through Duden Park, the Messidor garden city, Carré Tillens, the Altitude 100 church and Forest Park, among other places.

Go for a jog or a leisurely stroll to explore Forest Park and Duden Park, which feature some lovely gentle slopes. This is an urban route but takes place entirely within natural surroundings, with one crossing of a roundabout with traffic between Forest Park and Duden Park, both on the way there and back. Both parks are situated predominantly within the municipality of Forest. Forest Park has a more urban feel, whilst Duden Park has a more wooded character.

Hike in the western outskirts of the municipality of Anderlecht (near Brussels). The route allows you to discover little-known aspects of this municipality in the vicinity of the hamlet of Neerpede, along the Neerpedebeek stream.

This walk, starting from Village No. 1, Reine Fabiola, begins by crossing the pretty Bois d’Ophain (which, apart from the path taken, is private) and then takes a short detour via the Querton farm before entering the Bois du Foriest. Unfortunately, the route cannot avoid a number of roads and concrete paths, particularly in its second half, but this circular route through the two woods is nonetheless pleasant and varied.

A route that starts at the Abbaye de la Cambre and ends at the Hôtel Hannon, passing by the Ixelles Ponds, the Sterner Workshop, the Hôtel Max Hallet, the Hôtel Solvay, the Hôtel Tassel, the Hôtel Otlet, Rue de Livourne and back, the Trinity Church, the Horta Museum, Rue Américaine and the Hannon Hotel to Avenue Brugmann.

A circular walk in and around the lovely little Ermitage nature reserve (managed by Natagora), a haven of nature and tranquillity between Braine-le-Château and Ittre. The walk features several information boards.

Discover the Sonian Forest, south of Brussels, by exploring its paths and avenues.

A lovely walk from the city to the countryside. An easy walk, mainly on roads but also along beautiful paths and lanes lined with magnificent houses. On the way back, you pass a very attractive shopping and leisure centre.

This circular walk, starting from Ophain Cemetery, follows paths that wind through fields and woods (passing through the Bois du Hautmont), as well as a few quiet roads, offering a variety of landscapes that are as interesting as they are pleasant. The only downside is a 500-metre stretch along the Chaussée d’Ophain, which is quite busy on weekdays; for this reason, I recommend doing this walk on a Sunday or during the holidays.

There are few, very few houses on this circular route starting from Place d’Ophain, but there are fields, woods and more fields and meadows, as well as the quarries of Bois du Foriest. The landscapes are varied and change regularly. As for the residential areas, you’ll discover a side of Braine-l’Alleud that most people are unaware of and, at the end of the walk, a side that has made this town famous: Village No. 1. And your feet will appreciate the regular changes in surface, combining tarmac (very little of it), sand and earth. All the ingredients are there to ensure you enjoy yourself.

Farmland stretching for over 10 km, sunken lanes, a walk through the Bois des Drapes, and very few houses – this is the setting for this circular walk starting from the Place d’Ophain. The wind blows across the plateaus and the undergrowth remains cool. The path is suitable for pushchairs and bicycles.

Starting from the Étangs du Paradis, here is a circular route to discover the rural side of Braine-l'Alleud towards Ophain-Bois-Seigneur-Isaac. Les Hayettes, Village No. 1, the ponds and the new swimming pool in Braine are dotted along a very varied route.

A mix ofGR® trails and park paths around Watermael

From here, we set off on a pleasant walk across the battlefield of Napoleon’s final war, far from the hustle and bustle of the 1815 tourist site. Dirt tracks – some of which are compacted – and grassy or sandy paths take us across the fields to the Waterloo golf course, which we’ll cross via a dirt track shaded by magnificent old trees before rejoining the paths through the fields. This circular route can be done on foot or by bike.

Cycling tour (gravel/hybrid/mountain bike) starting from Auderghem, through the Sonian Forest. The route crosses the magnificent Tournay-Solvay Park, follows part of the tracks of the former Boitsfort racecourse and reaches the Rouge Cloître site by crossing the Sonian Forest.

A walk in Anderlecht between two nature reserves. The Scheutbos takes you into the countryside on the hills above Brussels. An easy, rural walk, ideal for picking blackberries in summer. There are several gates to pass through (cows present). It’s an ideal walk to take with a dog.

Starting from a well-known memorial site – Site 1815, the site of Napoleon’s final battle – your walk will take you over hill and dale to discover the beautiful countryside of this corner of Walloon Brabant, in a large circular route that brings you back to Site 1815, giving you the chance to visit the museum. Paved roads, country lanes, paths that may be dry or muddy depending on the weather, fields stretching as far as the eye can see and a few patches of woodland, two golf courses that you’ll walk alongside or across, birdsong and, who knows, perhaps a few deer in a meadow at daybreak… that’s what this walk has in store. 

For once, here is a long 27 km circular hike through the rolling countryside of this corner of Walloon Brabant. Starting from the Butte du Lion - site 1815 - it first crosses the town of Braine-l'Alleud before returning to the countryside, which the hike hardly leaves until it returns to the foot of the Butte du Lion.

This is a magnificent walk that can be enjoyed on foot or by mountain bike. It takes place almost entirely in the beautiful countryside of Walloon Brabant, amongst fields, meadows and woodland. The surfaces vary: tarmac, old cobblestones, farm tracks and footpaths. In autumn, pheasants are everywhere and you may be lucky enough to spot a herd of does emerging from beneath the trees at the edge of a wood to feed on fresh grass in a meadow.

A long circular walk starting from Site 1815 in Braine-l’Alleud (incorrectly referred to as ‘Waterloo’) which takes in some of the villages involved in Napoleon’s battles on 18 June 1815. The route is mainly rural, offering lovely views of the countryside and the surrounding woods.

A 20 km walk through the countryside of Tubize and Saintes, passing through the Quenast woods, the Coeurq ponds and along several footpaths. You will be surrounded by nature and peaceful surroundings.

Welcome to this new walking route, located in the surroundings of Tubize. This route is located in the heart of the countryside between Saintes, Tubize and Quenast.  A beautiful walk to enjoy with friends and family... surrounded by fields, horses and farms... The walk is easy and pleasant, offering plenty of opportunities to enjoy the fresh air in the heart of the town of Betchards.

A 10 km walk through the countryside of Tubize and Saintes, passing through the Quenast woods and along several footpaths. You’ll find yourself surrounded by nature and peaceful spots amidst the fields.

A 15 km walk through the countryside of Tubize and Saintes, passing through the Quenast woods and along several footpaths. You’ll be surrounded by nature and peaceful spots amidst the fields.

A 5 km walk through the countryside of Tubize - Saintes, passing through the W estate. You’ll be surrounded by nature and peaceful spots amidst the fields. Come and walk for a good cause

Here is a long and challenging circular route, with numerous ascents and descents, through woodland or open countryside, taking in tarmac roads, cobbled streets, gravel paths, dirt tracks and sandy terrain. All this whilst avoiding built-up areas as much as possible and staying in the countryside.

Starting from the 1815 site, this first stage of my tour of Wallonia connects two towns named Braine – Braine-l’Alleud and Braine-le-Comte – whilst prioritising routes away from towns and villages as much as possible. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they are farm tracks or footpaths. Where possible, yes; otherwise, mostly small country roads.

This walking tour of Wallonia, which includes the German-speaking part of Belgium, is a circular route that generally follows the borders as closely as possible, whether linguistic or territorial. This sometimes involves forays into neighbouring territories – France, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Flemish Region. Occasionally, the route also deviates from this due to accommodation requirements or because suitable accommodation could not be found close to the borders, whilst still adhering to various constraints.

A circular route starting from Site 1815 to explore the natural surroundings of the Waterloo and Braine-l’Alleud area. One slight hiccup: I have to pick up my two teammates – aged 10 and 12 – on Rue Bodrissart in Le Chenois, Waterloo, which means exploring some residential neighbourhoods before heading out to discover the countryside to the west of these two towns. The advantage is that this route is easy to start from either the indicated starting point or Waterloo station, which is close to Rue Bodrissart. Apart from that, roads, tracks and footpaths wind through woods and fields, taking in the Paradis ponds and the site of the 1815 battlefield.

Starting from the 1815 site, this circular route takes you across fields to explore the sweeping landscapes of the Plancenoit and Braine-l’Alleud area, the site of Napoleon’s final battle. Largely along country lanes, you’ll be accompanied by the song of the lark and the call of the pheasant. If you’re lucky, in the early morning you might spot a roe deer coming out to feed. And, for history buffs, there are a few reminders of the battle at the start and end of the route.

Starting from the Braine-l’Alleud Town Hall, this circular route quickly takes you out into the countryside. Further on, you’ll pass through the attractive neighbourhoods on the edge of Lillois-Witterzée, followed by the hamlet of Les Hayettes. This route combines dirt tracks and tarmac and is suitable for pushchairs.

This route allows you to explore some of the many green spaces in the municipalities of Woluwé-Saint-Lambert and Woluwé-Saint-Pierre.It passes through, amongst others, Georges-Henri Park, Malou Park and Woluwe Park, as well as lesser-known green spaces such as Schuman Park and the Franciscan Garden, and follows paths running alongside the Woluwe, the river that gives its name to both municipalities.