Spring was cold last year and sunny days seemed heaven sent. That was when we were living in Cologne, Germany and April meant unpredictable weather. One Saturday dawned so brightly warm, that we imagined the weather to last the whole weekend and so immediately planned an impromptu day trip to Halle in Belgium. Sunday, however, turned to be a complete letdown and the grey cloudy sky became a real mood killer. Cologne was drab as a wet rag and to escape the suffocating gloominess, we stuck to our day trip plan to hit the road. Our destination was Hallerbos blue forest and we wanted to see the spectacular mass blooming of bluebells.
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Hallerbos blue forest, one of Belgium’s best-kept secrets
Every year, in spring Hallerbos gets carpeted by dense purple-blue flowers and it is one of the best-kept secrets of Belgium. This truly magical natural phenomenon happens around 15 kilometers south of Brussels and Hallerbos is also known as Belgium‘s blue forest. Also known as Bois de Hal in French, Hallerbos is situated in the Flemish municipality of Halle and though the forest is a lovely place to explore at any time of the year, in spring it is simply breathtaking. Much sought after by both photographers and nature lovers, the bluebells usually start blooming in mid-April and they last for a few weeks.
Hallerbos blue forest is like out of a fairytale
The sight of the blue forest in full bloom is out of this world and the flowers spread like a sea of endless purple. Up close, the bluebells are delicate flowers and they fill the air with an intensely sweet wild fragrance. It is their density that creates this unbelievable bluish haze and flowers range from violet, lilac to dense purple. Popularly known as Common Bluebell, Hyacinthoides non-scripta is a spring-flowering bulb, which is also a perennial plant thriving under the shade of beech trees. In fact, beech trees and bluebells are best of friends and the neon green young leaves amidst a sea of blue flowers make terrific photos as well. They say pictures speak louder than words, and to get an idea of what Hallerbos Blue Forest is like, take a look at this photo essay.
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Hallerbos Blue Forest Travel Tips
Time it Right – The bluebells of the Hallerbos create a spectacular wildflower phenomenon and it is an unforgettable experience. However, the blooming is extremely short-lived and with increasing temperatures, trampling, weather changes, etc, soon it might be a thing of the past. So, enjoy the flowers till they last, and make sure you follow up on the blooming updates for the best views.
How to get there – Hallerbos forest is located 20 km south of Brussels. There are several ways to reach the park. One option is to take a train to Halle from Brussels and a bus connection to the forest is available from there. During the week, the bus line 114, operated by TEC takes you to halte “Vlasmarkt” on the Nijvelsesteenweg. From there the entrance of the Hallerbos is easily walkable. On the weekends, use the bus line 156 operated by De Lijn to the stop “Lembeek Congo”. The entrance to Hallerbos is 15 minutes walk from there. During the flowering season of the bluebells, a free shuttle bus service is available from the train station in Halle to Hallerbos. Alternatively, you can rent a bike at the station for Hallerbos or like us, go there by car. Either enter “Vlasmarktdreef Halle” into your GPS system or go to “Bosmuseum Halle” in Google Maps.
When to go there – Hallerbos is lovely at any time of the year and there are some excellent hiking and cycling trails. The bluebell flowering season, however, is somewhere in the second half of April. Being a natural phenomenon, the flowering depends on the weather and it makes sense to keep a watch on the Hallerbos website to stay updated on the best time to visit. Young beech leaves and flowering bluebells with good sunshine create the best photos. Weekends are busy during the flowering season, so try to go there on a weekday. Early mornings and late afternoons to evenings also see fewer people.
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The Bluebells Walking Route – Hallerbos has 3 marked walking routes and one of them is a dedicated Bluebell Walk. It is a 7-kilometer route and can take approximately 2 hours. The most beautiful part of the forest where there are maximum chances of sighting mass flowering is the yellow walking path – Reebokwandeling. You can find the map of the forest on the official Hallerbos website.
Other Hallerbos Blue Forest Travel Tips
The entrance to Hallerbos is free. Bring your camera and do not stray from the marked areas to avoid trampling the flowers. Prior permission is required for professional photos and videography. Another fact to keep in mind is that there are no toilets in the forest, except for the museum and only a few restaurants nearby. Carry snacks and water with you if you plan to stay for a few hours. If visiting with a baby stroller, do bring a sturdy one and be prepared to push it uphill once in a while. Rain can make the walking tracks muddy, so wear sensible shoes and carry rainproof jackets. Many different varieties of flowers can be spotted at Hallerbos and white bluebells can also be seen on the carpet of blue.
Hallerbos Travel Trivia
Hallerbos blue forest has a very interesting World War history. During WWI a large part of the original forest was destroyed. However, the years between 1930-1950 saw a massive reforestation drive and Hallerbos has been thriving ever since.
Follow the rest of the Belgium travel series
- 28 PHOTOS THAT MAY TEMPT YOU TO VISIT BRUGES
- TRAILING THE BRUGGE LACE
- STREET ART IN GHENT
- BRUSSELS SPRING
- BRUSSELS STREET ART
- HALLERBOS BLUE FOREST
RESPONSIBLE TRAVELING-BECAUSE I CARE