Five Walks in the Most Beautiful Autumn Forests
A canopy of gold, russet, and ruby overhead and the scent of the damp, mulchy forest floor to cushion your step... Wandering through the woods of Flemish Brabant is sheer delight in the year’s prettiest season. Why not stick around for an overnight stay? When you wake, the lure of another beautiful walk is sure to be irresistible.
1. The Big Oak Walk
The walk - 12,7 km
A lovely, mysterious, sunken path sets the tone at the start of this fairytale forest walk. Give in to curiosity and check out the enigmatic wooden tree sculptures and gaze in awe at the biggest oaks you’ve ever seen! The oldest is over 300 years old. You’ll find it on...Big Oak Lane [Dikke Eikdreef]. When you’re done, unwind and enjoy the In de Molen brasserie at node 700.
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The forest trail
Mollendaal Forest is a lovely corner of the grand Meerdaal Forest and Heverlee Woods, which combined account for 2,050 hectares of tree-friendly ground. Fleet-footed dear abound, as do deep-hewn paths through forest glades and stately, straight avenues.
Out and about
Depart and return at De Borre Cultural Centre, Speelpleinstraat 10, Bierbeek. Follow the nodes: 700 - 756 - 77 - 78 - 73 - 74 - 75 - 76 - 757 - 113 - 114 - 115 - 72 - 71 - 70 - 7.
Your stay
B&B Miranoza is a small, award-winning architectural villa ensconced between the mighty trees of Meerdaal Forest in Blanden. Perfect tranquillity a mere 20 minutes from Leuven awaits.
2. The Majestic Oak Walk
The walk - 7,9 km
Journey to the ancient heart of the Sonian Forest, the Joseph Zwaenepoel Forest Reserve, an official UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2017. The pedunculate oak this walk is named after is 40 metres tall and first sprouted in the 17th century! Can you find the right oak?
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The forest trail
The Sonian Forest is one of a kind, and not just because its 4,421 hectares make it Belgium’s largest beech forest. Time is its defining factor. This land has been forested since the Ice Age! It’s a true primeval forest.
Out and about
Set out and head home via Groenendaal Castle at Duboislaan 1, Hoeilaart. Follow the virtual nodes 823 - 822 - 821 - 825 - 826 - 827 - 92 - 825 - 821 - 822 - 823 or the red-striped wooden poles.
Je verblijf
The B&B Hippo-Droom B&B Hippo-Droom in Hoeilaart is a beautifully restored belle-epoque villa in the heart of the Sonian Forest. Every room has a cosy, contemporary design subtly highlighting the region’s natural charms.
3. Norbertine Walk
The walk - 9,3 km
The Norbertine Order set their sights on building their abbey on the most breathtaking landscape, among the Averbode trees and heathland. This walk escorts you through Maria Park, passing the Seven Sorrows of Mary and into the sweet pine scent of the Weefberg. Throw back a pint of Averbode, the abbey’s beer, at Het Moment for an authentic finish.
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The forest trail
In Averbode Bos & Heide Nature Preserve vast forests alternate with fens, marsh, heathland, and sparse grasslands. The area was planted with Corsican pine at the request of the noble de Merode family, who set their hand to forest exploitation after Belgium’s independence.
Out and about
Set out and come home via Het Moment, Herseltsebaan 2, Averbode. Just follow the nodes: 100 - 85 - 86 - 75 - 274 - 76 - 87 - 90 - 100 - 98 - 107 - 384 - 144 - 286 - 104 - 91 - 96 - 100.
Your stay
Villa Chill is a 5-star holiday home within walking distance of the beautiful Averbode Abbey. It features four bedrooms and a large 37-acre garden with its own private forest.
4. The Roeselberg Walk
The walk - 7 km
After peeking in at the 17th-century Roeselberg Chapel, explore the gorgeous Walen Forest. Once you reach the forest’s edge, you’ll catch a glimpse of Hageland’s undulating landscape and a vista of the charming village of Houwaart.
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The forest trail
Walen Forest is home to one of the largest alluvial alder forests in Flanders and is a true natural treasure. It’s wild, wet, vast, and rather inhospitable, so... Don’t forget your wellies!
Out and about
Start and finish at Roeselberg Chapel, Stokskesstraat, Sint-Joris-Winge. Follow the nodes: 234 - 233 - 232 - 231 - 242 - 241 - 240 - 260 - 239 - 234
Your stay
Provençal, contemporary, or country? At B&B Silentium, it’s up to you! It’s always blissfully quiet on the edge of the Walen Forest.
5. The Five Oaks Walk
The Five Oaks Walk - 8,7 km
Stroll beneath the lofty treetops of elegant beeches and mighty oaks to the ‘Five Oaks’ crossroads. One look around, and you’ll know exactly where the name comes from. As autumn sets in, the American oaks along Prosper Lane [Prosperdreef] turn a magnificent shade of fiery red. Tip: grab a scrumptious bite to eat at Brasserie 500, where the walk starts and ends.
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The forest trail
The hoary old oaks of Heverlee Woods share space with at least 300 different species of trees and shrubs in the arboretum. But the millennium tree – a Japanese Zelkova – is the most impressive; it’s related to Belgium’s own near-extinct elms.
Out and about
Set out and come home via the Heverlee Woods Arboretum, Naamsesteenweg 500, Heverlee. Follow the nodes: 66 - 65 - 603 - 135 - 117 - 604 - 15 - 14 - 12 - 602 - 601 - 600 - 63 - 64 - 66.
Your stay
Bibois is a stylish hotel right between Meerdaal Forest and Heverlee Woods. It also features a trendy bistro with great eats and drinks to finish off your autumn walk.
