We’re inviting you for a walk in the woods.
Whether you want to quietly ponder or have long chats, daydream and wander, or go on a big hike, stare at your feet or look up in awe. Discover a new forest or stick to your familiar trails.
For each province of Flanders, we’ve selected a special walk in, around, or along a forest. Each trail forms a loop and is easily marked by hiking nodes or other signs. All scarves from the 'I’m in the woods, it’s silent here' collection are named after a place along one of these five routes.
Keep in mind, most of these walks aren’t suitable for wheelchairs, strollers, or those who have trouble walking. For accessible walks, check out the Natuurpunt website.
Hellegatbos • West-Vlaanderen
• Sint-Eligiuskerk, Poperingestraat 6, 8954 Heuvelland
This walk is 5 km long and takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, introducing you to the Hellegatbos.
The Hellegatbos gets its name from the deep ravine at the bottom of the hill. 'Hellegat' means 'hole in the hill,' with 'helle' referring to 'hill.' So, it's the hole in the hill. At the top, your hiking boots will lead you through dry sandy grounds, surrounded by larches and pines. Along the way, you'll find a few benches, perfect for a rest with a cup of tea.
Volkegembos • Oost-Vlaanderen
• Café Den Obus, De La kethulleplein 5, 9700 Oudenaarde
This walk is 7.8 km long and will take you about 2 hours and 20 minutes, introducing you to the Flemish Ardennes and its beautiful panoramas.
On this walk, you'll travel along cobblestone roads past farms and cozy cafes while enjoying alternating views of the Scheldt Valley and the city of Oudenaarde. The last 2 km will take you to the Volkegembos, a relatively new city forest that developed around an old clay quarry. This forest is protected by European law and is an ideal spot to escape the hustle and bustle.
Hertberg • Antwerpen
• Veerelpad 34, 2230 Herselt
The trail is 10.3 km long and takes you through the Hertberg nature reserve, where you can spend three hours quietly searching for foxes and deer.
This hike in the Provinciaal Groendomein Hertberg sits at the junction of three provinces, but it starts in Antwerp. You'll stroll along long avenues, surrounded by giant trees that are the result of two centuries of continuous reforestation.
In dry weather, the paths are accessible for wheelchair users and strollers, but if you need fully paved roads, it's best to follow the yellow route.
Munsterbos • Limburg
• Kasteel Edelhof, Leroyplein 2, 3740 Bilzen
This walk is 9.8 km long and takes you through the Munsterbos in 2 hours and 45 minutes.
A nature reserve and ancient oak forest spanning 400 hectares, where you can search for rare water and marsh birds like the Wood Warbler, the Marsh Warbler, and the Grey Wagtail. With binoculars in hand, you’ll wander through long avenues, past picturesque chapels, and alongside ponds straight out of a fairy tale.
Rodebos • Vlaams-Brabant
• Herberg ‘t Klein Verzet, Bollestraat 1, 3090 Overijse
On this 8.1 km walk, you'll spend 2 hours and 30 minutes strolling through the Rodebos nature reserve.
Surrounded by beech, oak, and birch trees, the forest paths lead you past various spring streams. Over the years, Rodebos has become a safe haven for many plants and animals. The spring streams are bordered by Giant Horsetails and Golden Saxifrages, and at dusk, you might spot deer emerging. Numerous butterfly species also find their way to this forest. Around the cuckoo flowers in the meadows, you can often see Orange Tips fluttering, and even the rare Purple Emperor butterfly has been spotted here.
