Flandre walks

Short route on beautiful, well-maintained Belgian trails with good signage.Simple signposting: there are posts with numbers and an arrow indicating the number you want to go to (not easy to explain but obvious when you're there). In wet weather, some areas may be soggy or even very muddy.

A long, slightly winding route to enjoy the beautiful Belgian trails, which are well maintained and clearly marked. Simple signposting: there are posts with numbers and an arrow indicating the number you want to go to (not easy to explain but obvious when you're there). Difficult route, even very difficult in wet weather.

This walk is suitable for Nordic walking. Huldenberg is a municipality in the province of Flemish Brabant, not far from the linguistic border. The region is known for its table grape cultivation and the De Doode Bemde nature reserve. Doode means 'dead' (soil unsuitable for agriculture) and Bemde means 'wet meadow'.

This is an easy hike despite a section on Mont Kemmel with steep slopes and steps. The rest is pleasant, with sections through vineyards and views of the surrounding countryside.

This walk passes through Tervuren Park and then follows the Voer river with theGR® Dijeland to discover the hinterland through the fields.

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.

A pleasant short hike near Loker and Le Mont Rouge, with easy-to-use numbered markings.

A long walk in Belgium, a little flat, but the length makes up for it. It will allow you to discover beautiful lakes, the Palingbeek estate and part of the ramparts of Ypres. It may be a little monotonous, but it is sometimes pleasant to hike on well-maintained trails with good signposting. Our Pas-de-Calais has some progress to make in this area. The signposting system is the same as for the Mont Kemmel and Mont Rouge walks.

This is a more family-friendly version of my two other hikes on Mont Rouge. It's short but with a good elevation gain. Half of the route is in the countryside and half in the woods, with a minimum of tarmac. Enough to keep you busy for half a day while getting plenty of fresh air!

A pleasant route in Belgium. This is the Sentier des Gueux (Geuzen walking route), the end of which I have modified. It uses the same signposting as the Mont Kemmel and Mont Rouge routes. It is an easy walk along small roads, wide farm tracks and some very pleasant paths (including a "paved slanting street"!).

Return to Mont Rouge, passing through the Bois du Mont Noir. Enjoy a beautiful stroll through the woods, ending with a superb (and challenging) staircase. Be careful, as soon as it gets a little wet, the paths become very difficult and you can sometimes find yourself with mud up to your mid-shoes. This was the case this morning (19 November 2021).

A pleasant walk in the north-western part of the town of Tongeren, following old tree-lined railway tracks, crossing the Herkwinning Nature Reserve and taking in a few castles and fortified farms in a varied environment of copses, low-stem orchards, meadows and fields. Route proposed by the walking club "Les Pantouflards de Wihogne" (FFBMP, LG041).

A very pleasant hike: lots of woodland, very few small roads and some beautiful clearings. A good half-day in the great outdoors. This hike can be combined with a stroll through the Palingbeek Estate for a route of about 22 km (connecting route between Palingbeek and Gasthuisbossen).

A magnificent walk starting from the village of Fouron-le-Comte ('s-Gravenvoeren in Dutch), somewhat hilly, passing through the Altenbroek woodland reserve and venturing partially beyond the Belgian-Dutch border.

Another way to approach Kemmel, this time from the east. There are some sections in common with the first hike, but the paths are taken in the opposite direction, which allows you to enjoy them in a different way. And we can thank our Belgian neighbours for the quantity and quality of the trails they offer us.

A patchwork of different routes in the area for a long hike that will delight your thighs.As for the mountains, like the Musketeers, there are four (or even five, I forgot the Baneberg near the mill), as you climb Mont Noir twice.In short, a nice climb in the Flat Country on numerous paths and a few small, quiet roads. It's a demanding route, because even between the mountains, there are plenty of small hills. But, as is often the case in Belgium, the trails are well maintained and constantly being improved.

A cross-border walk between East Flanders and Hainaut. This route takes in a varied landscape, mainly rural, but also featuring hedgerows and woodland. The terrain remains gentle in this undulating region.

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

A lovely cool walk when it’s hot in the Palingbeek Estate, which is remarkably well-maintained considering we’re in Belgium.There are numerous paths on the site; I recommend using the app.For history buffs, there are plenty of information boards (in multiple languages!). Please note, it gets very busy at weekends. This walk can be combined with the Gasthuisbossen for a route of around 22 km (connecting route between Palingbeek and the Gasthuisbossen)

A refreshing country walk in Tongrian Hesbaye, taking us from the small village of Rutten to Lauw, following the River Geer and returning via Herstappe, a Walloon enclave in the heart of Flemish Limburg. Walk organised by the walking club ‘Les Pantouflards de Wihogne’ (FFBMP, LG041)

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.

Just a few kilometres from the French-Belgian border, a walk in Flanders, in the heart of the ‘flat country’. This walk will take you from the charming and picturesque town of Veurne (Furnes in French) to Beauvoorde Castle. Before setting off, do take a stroll around the town to admire the many Renaissance houses and perhaps visit the town hall, St Walburga’s Church or the bakery museum.

A day-long walk along the Scheldt, taking the ferry at Sint-Amands. The walk starts at the church in Puurs, with parking available. The path is completely flat and away from the road network. It’s a relaxing day out that’s perfect for the whole family.

When the weather becomes a little wetter, you can still hike on Mont Rouge. This route alternates between small roads (with little traffic), paths and forest trails, which makes it a little less strenuous. It is a winding route, so the app is very useful. There is quite a bit of elevation gain and, in wet weather, the trails are quite slippery. The walk is therefore quite tiring (equivalent to a 25 km route).

Bruges becomes an enchanted setting during the Christmas market: chalets, the smell of hot chocolate, lights and golden reflections on the canals. Stroll through cobbled streets, medieval houses and illuminated bridges.Nicknamed the "Venice of the North", the city combines historic charm and peaceful corners, perfect for a stroll through its old town and green spaces.Bruges also has its stories: legends of haunted alleys, tales of guilds and small courtyards hidden behind façades.Despite the winter, swans, ducks and moorhens enliven the canals, while the Minnewater and the Beguinage offer havens of nature.With superb views from the bridges, local crafts, carousels and a magical atmosphere, this walk promises a unique blend of heritage, festive magic and culinary delights.

Departure and arrival at the car park of Loker Church via the countryside of Saint Jans Cappel and the Marguerite Yourcenar Nature Reserve at Mont Noir. Pass through the Douve Valley, which forms the border with France, and along Mont Rouge.

Start and finish at the car park of the church in Dranouter via Monteberg, Lettenberg and Kemmelberg. Pass along the Monteberg vineyard and through the woods of the Kemmelberg provincial estate.

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.

This walk explores some of the region's gems. The route passes successively by a mill on the Geer (Jeker in Dutch) with a wooden paddle wheel that is still fully functional, Neercanne Castle, the Cannerbos, a magnificent tree-lined avenue in the Milleniumbos, a few vineyards, the old Nekum mill (no longer with a wheel), the Maastricht Fort plateau with some beautiful views of the city, Huis de Torentjes, a curious cave/chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, the Zonneberg, the Slavantebos, the panoramic site of the former ENCI quarry, the Villa Castrum (admire the tuffeau stone used in its renovation) and, finally, the strange and extremely rare feature of the Geer, which passes under the Albert Canal via a siphon. All in all, this route offers a multitude of historical and educational points of interest for young and old alike.

This is a route on which I had fun concentrating as many difficulties as possible (more than 400 m of elevation gain). This gives it a somewhat labyrinthine feel, but it allows you to avoid tarmac as much as possible. So you walk from peak to peak on well-marked, clean paths. The use ofthe Visorando app is highly recommended, even though the numbering system is very practical.

Departure from the car park of Sint-Sixtus Abbey in Westvleteren. Pass through the Dozinghembos, along anunpaved path in the Dozinghembos and partly between fields. Then into the forest that is part of the Sixtusbossen.Following this route, you will encounter several beautiful forests in this part of the province of West Flanders. You will also enjoy wide views of the agricultural landscape.

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.

Start and finish at the Dikkebus pond car park. The route crosses a meadow where, in summer, you may encounter cows grazing on the grass.

This invitation to discover Walloon Brabant, on the border between Flemish Brabant and Walloon Brabant, alternates between countryside and forest, nature and urban areas, as well as a short section in the northern zone of Wavre, passing by the unmissable GSK, one of the largest employers in Wallonia.

A 24 km circular between wide forest paths and more technical sections. In short, two hours of pure joy in the heart of nature!  The route starts at the town hall in Hoeilaart and passes through Groenendaal. It is very well marked with the blue mountain bike logo.

A circular walking route starting from the car park at the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Dadizele. This route takes in country lanes, green fields, chapels and local farms.

A circular walking route starting at Loker Church, via Mont Rouge, the Behaegel estate, the Douve Valley, the Entre-deux-Monts vineyards, the Hellegatbos, the Westouter countryside and the Scherpenberg.

A circular walking route starting from Loker Church via Scherpenberg, Sulferberg, the Westouter countryside, Marguerite Yourcenar Park, Mont Noir, the Douve Valley and Mont Rouge.

A circular walking route starting at the church in the hamlet of De Klijte in Reningelst, through the countryside around Reningelst and Dikkebus, and past the Klein-Vierstraat British Military Cemetery

A circular walking route starting from Loker Church, passing through the Sulferberg, the Westouter vineyards, Marguerite Yourcenar Park, Mont Noir, the Douve Valley and the Behaegel Estate

A circular walking route starting from Loker Church, passing through Mont Rouge, the Douve Valley, the Behaegel estate, the British Military Cemetery No. 10 at Locre, Dranouter Church and the Monteberg vineyard.

A circular walking route starting from the car park at Geluveld Church, via the Polygoonbos, the Nonnebossen, the ‘The Brothers in Arms’ memorial and the Buttes New British Cemetery in Polygon Wood.

A circular walking route starting from the car park at Geluveld Church, via the Polygoonbos (one of Belgium’s oldest state-owned forests), the Nonnebossen and the Brothers In Arms Memorial

A circular walking route starting from the car park at Zillebeke Pond, passing through the Dickebusch Old Military Cemetery, the hamlet of De Klijte and the British Military Cemetery ‘The Huts’ in Ypres

A pleasant and varied walk, combining culture and exercise, in and around Tongeren, Belgium’s oldest town. It takes you through the historic districts (the Beguinage, the ramparts, the basilica, etc.) as well as the adjoining nature reserve. The Geer (Jeker in Dutch), its branches and tributaries are a defining feature of the region.

A circular walking route starting from Zillebeke Church and passing through the fourth-largest Commonwealth military cemetery in Europe, with 5,923 graves: Hooge Crater Cemetery. The walk passes by Bellewaerde Park, Mont Sorrel, Zwarte Leen and Palingbeek.

A circular walking route starting from Zillebeke Church via the Hooge Crater: the fourth-largest Commonwealth military cemetery in Europe, with 5,923 graves. Nearby are Bellewaerde amusement park, Mont Sorrel and the Palingbeek Estate nature reserve.

This cycle route links the elegant city of Ghent with the North Sea beaches at Ostend. Ideal for an idyllic getaway or as a stage on a cycle tour, this route mainly follows the Ghent–Bruges–Ostend Canal, offering a flat, safe route that is completely free of motor traffic.

A short, peaceful walk in Borgloon, through the countryside and past fruit orchards. The walk follows land consolidation and country lanes used by a few farm vehicles and cyclists, with a brief detour past the Transparent Chapel and the Roman Villa landmark.

A short walk through the woods near Mesch, in the Netherlands, along the border with Mouland (Moelingen) This is a family-friendly walk (suitable for even very young children) with the option of stopping for a bite to eat at the customs post between Mouland and Mesch or in the village centre.