The Magical Bluebells of the Hallerbos
Dear friends, today I’d like to take you on a magical trip into the beautiful woods of the Hallerbos, just south of Brussels! Every year around this time in mid April this forest puts on the most stunning display of these lovely purple-blue forest hyacinths.
And every year thousands of people from all over the world travel there to see the spectacle. Though this year and last year the situation has been very different thanks to the pandemic! The Hallerbos has been closed off during the bluebell season to avoid any gathering of big crowds and any possibly covid-unsafe situations.
While it’s a pity that we can’t go see them live there now it’s actually good for the bluebells to get some respite from the crowds. These wild bluebells are incredibly sensitive to being stepped on, if you step on them this year they won’t grow back in the same spot next year. And in the Hallerbos they are incredibly good at fencing off the pathways but there are always some people who just don’t realise how bad it is and try to make some selfies while lying amidst the flowers… So these 2 years of now crowds will give the bluebells a chance to regenerate and grow even more abundant next year!
So the pictures I’m showing you today are not from now but from my visit in 2019. I’d been wanting to see the bluebells already for several years, and finally made it there in 2019! I can tell you, the experience did not disappoint! It truly is magical and the pictures don’t even do the reality justice. The blue flower carpet is so much more intense when you see it with your own eyes, and the fresh lime green foliage on the tree is so vibrant. The colour combo is just stunning. And every once in a while you may see a deer jumping in between the trees. I thought it was truly incredible to see! And what makes it even more spectacular is that it’s a large forest, so it just seems endless…
9 other bluebell forests in Belgium
While the Hallerbos is the most famous bluebell forest in Belgium, there are some other forests where you can see these beautiful flowers in all their magic. And those other forests are still open to visit during the pandemic.
Brakelbos / Brakel forest
The Brakel forest lies on the ‘Mont de Rhode’ (Modderode) near La Houppe. It’s a forest with mostly beech and holly trees, the foliage of these trees are the perfect cover for bluebells to grow under.
A little creek, the Sassegembeek, meanders through the forest, which is not only very beautiful and idyllic, but it creates the perfect ground conditions for a breathtaking purple blue spectacle to unfold in the spring!
For a lovely walk in the Brakelbos you can easily park your car in La Houppe or you can take the train to Ronse, from where you can take a bus to the forest.
Walking route Brakelbos – 11,0 km – 2hrs 10min
Raspaillebos / Raspaille forest
The Raspaille forest is located right on the Bosberg, not far from Geraardsbergen. It’s a big forest with lots of big trees and colourful flowers. You can spot bluebells but also lots of other spring flowers like wild narcissus, forest anemones and periwinkle. So there’s lots to see in the spring for the flower lovers amongst us! Even if you can’t make it during the bluebell season, the other spring flowers are still worth the trip!
Walking route Raspaillebos – 11,5 km – 2hrs 30min
Kluisbos
One of the biggest and most visited forests in the Vlaamse Ardennen (Flemish Ardennes) is the Kluisbos. This forest is located on the Kluisberg, that you may know from the Ronde van Vlaanderen. So be prepared for a hilly hike when you come here for a walk amidst the blue purple glory!
Vooral eiken, berken en dennen zorgen hier voor de nodige beschutting tijdens de pittige tochten door dit prachtige stukje natuur.
Stop by the Bosbaar after your walk for some refreshments and to rest your feet. And there’s also a play forest with wooden toys for the little ones to have some fun!
Walking route Kluisbos – 6,4 km – 1hr 20min
Muziekbos / Music Forest
The Muziekbos is yet another one of these unknown treasures. It’s a beautiful hilly and green area to walk around. There are some incredibly beautiful viewpoints over the hills and valleys. The bluebells bloom abundantly in the spring and attracts lots of visitors though not to the point that it gets too much.
This forest is also great for history lovers, at the highest point of the forest you’ll find the Geuzentoren and close by there’s a prehistoric burial mound from the bronze age.
Walking route Muziekbos – 10,0 km – 2hrs 15min
Koppenbergbos
The Koppenberg is another one of those locations that is well known from the Ronde van Vlaanderen. And it’s on this hill that this very varied deciduous forest is located.
It’s a magical forest where you can find bluebells blooming abundantly along the Koppenberg walking route during the spring. And it’s is also a great place for history lovers with remnants from the first world war and 150 year old trees. Behalve boshyacinten bevat het bos ook sporen van de eerste wereldoorlog én bomen van wel 150 jaar oud.
Walking route Koppenbergbos – 6,9 km – 1hr 20min
Bos ter Rijst
Another jewel in a lesser known part of the Vlaamse Ardennen. There’s lots of biodiversity here thanks to the many little springs. And yes, you will also be able to spot the forest grounds covered with an abundance of purple blue hyacinths in the spring.
This forest is close to La Houppe and the Brakelbos, so it’s ideal for some extra long walks in the most beautiful surroundings!
Walking route Bos ter Rijst – 13,5 km – 2hrs 40min
Kravaalbos
This is a forest where you’ll find lots of variation. The diverse nature in this hilly landscape is boon for all visitors. With the Kravaalbos walking route you’ll discover the most beautiful places in the forest.
Dogs are welcome here (on a leash) and there are even routes for horse riders and cyclists. But no matter whether you’re walking by yourself, with your dog, are cycling or riding, make sure to always stay on the paths! Bluebells and lots of other forest vegetation is fragile and by sticking to the pathways we can keep on enjoying the natural beauty year after year…
Walking route Kravaalbos – 7,9 km – 1hr 35min
Hotond / Scherpenberg
Three million years ago this was a sandbank in front of the coast line of the then shallow and still tropical North Sea. Today it’s a biotope for a wide variety of flora.
You can climb to the highest point of Oost Vlaanderen while enjoying the stunning green mosaic of the Scherpenberg. There’s lots of space for forest hyacinths to grow. Breathe deeply and relish the beautiful panoramas on this great walking route!
Walking route Scherpenberg – 7,9 km – 1hr 35min
Neigembos
This is the perfect place for people that like pristine nature. This forest in the land of ‘t Scheldt river has an area of 70 hectares and is mainly a beech and oak forest.
You’ll find an abundance of different plants under the trees and of course the bluebells can also be found in the forest here! So every spring the forest grounds turn into the most beautiful purple blue flower carpet.
Walking route Neigembos – 10,6 km – 2hrs 10min
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