Braine-l'Alleud walks

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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).

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.

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

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?”

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.

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.