Streek GR Groene Gordel

When departing from Halle, the trail quickly heads towards the Sonian Forest, one of the biggest forests in Flanders. The big trees and wide forest is a lust of the eye and one will find peace and tranquility here. The trail continues its adventure to Overijse and Tervuren. These are both located in ‘Druivenstreek’, a region that is mostly known for its grape cultivation.

Tervuren is a town full of history and one of the entryways to the Sonian Forest, one of the biggest forests in Flanders, and listed as Unesco World Heritage. After leaving Tervuren by crossing its beautiful park, the path will lead you over the hilltops. You might even spot a plane or two, three, four,… since the trail will walk parallel to the Brussels Airport.

The trail leads you through Eppegem and Grimbergen, known for its abbey and beer, before arriving at Meise. Here, the ‘Botanic Garden of Meise’ is a beautiful park that is more than 200 years old and has 92 hectares full of plants. The stars of the botanic garden are undoubtedly the castle located in the middle of the grounds and the ‘Plant Palace,’ one of the largest public greenhouse complexes in Europe. No need to say that these grounds most certainly deserve the visit of every nature-lover.

After taking in all the beautiful and diverse plant species in Meise, the trail heads further to Asse and Dilbeek. This area is filled with small, local breweries that are worth keeping an eye out for. After leaving Dilbeek the trail takes you further to Gaasbeek, where you can admire the beautiful castle, before finishing at Halle again.

Belgium has moderate temperatures year-round. Therefore this trail can be walked any time of year. During the winter, around December until February/March it can be cold and occasionally snowy. During the summer months, from June until September, the temperatures are higher. However, the weather can be unpredictable so one should always be prepared for rain.

The ‘Streek-GR Groene Gordel’ is located in a rather flat landscape, with here and there a small hill one will have to concur. The trail is not technically or physically demanding. That’s why it’s a perfect trail for beginners. However, do plan the stages to your fitness level. Wear comfortable hiking shoes and a good backpack to avoid any injuries.

The trail is marked in both directions and it’s never far from a village. But do bring your map or Topoguide and the official GPX file to make sure you don’t get lost in the woods when the waymarkings aren’t clear. In case of emergencies, it’s important to know your way back to the nearest village. Not all villages and nature reserves have cell phone service.