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ONCE UPON A TIME IN A FARAWAY KINGDOM – The fairy-like Hallerbos, Halle, Belgium

21st April 2016

Well I guess it’s official… The moment has arrived! I’m writing my very first article about Belgium!

My dear Belgium… Don’t ask me why but I never thought that one day I’d write about you. Maybe it’s because I don’t see you in the same way that I see all those other countries I’m so desperately drawn to. All those places with unknown cultures, exotic beaches and sunsets and exciting adventures about which I have hundreds of stories to tell. Maybe too often I take you for granted. As if you’ll always be there. Like you always have. Maybe I don’t find you quite as exciting, because I’ve gotten so used to you and know you all too well.

But you still manage to surprise me. And yesterday at the Hallerbos, you blew me off my feet. It wasn’t even the first time I went there, but every time it has the same effect on me. Maybe because it only looks like this a couple of weeks a year.

Maybe, probably, because it’s just drop-dead gorgeous…

A day in the fairy-like Hallerbos, Halle, Belgium

The Hallerbos (bos meaning forest and Halle being the city in which it’s located) is located in Flemish Brabant, about 20 km south of the center of Brussels. It’s perfect for a walk all year round, but in april, when the tens of thousands of bluebells are in bloom, it’s one of the prettiest, most fairy-like places I have ever seen.

I’m gonna let the pictures do the talking from here, because I don’t know what I could possibly say to make this place look any more beautiful than it already is… (and also because I have a new photography addiction and can’t stop taking pictures, haha). Head to the bottom of this page for some practical information!
The fairy-like Hallerbos, Halle, Belgium The fairy-like Hallerbos, Halle, BelgiumThe fairy-like Hallerbos, Halle, Belgium The fairy-like Hallerbos, Halle, BelgiumA day in the fairy-like Hallerbos, Halle, BelgiumThe fairy-like Hallerbos, Halle, BelgiumThe fairy-like Hallerbos, Halle, Belgium

The fairy-like Hallerbos, Halle, Belgium

Practical information

The Hallerbos is open all year round and entrance is free. A map of the forest with hiking trails can be downloaded here and some more information about the walks over here. These are self-guided but on different moments, usually Sundays, there’s also guided tours. Check out this link for the full calender. There’s shorter and longer walks of different difficulties and picnic tables where you can sit down to eat and enjoy the views, so you can really spend as much time as you like over here. Just a couple of hours or a whole day, it’s completely up to you!

On the website, under ‘bloom bluebells’, regular videos give updates about the blooming of the bluebells and the trees around them (and also all year long about the other plants but if you have the chance you should REALLY come here to see the bluebells). Usually April is the best time to visit (well it is still Belgium, so check the weather first!).

All information about accommodation, where to eat and getting there by car or by public transportation can also be found on the website.

Insider tip 1: if you go there by car and unless you like spending 2 hours in a stationary car, do not – I repeat DO NOT – take the ring road comming from Brussels – aka the most congested city in the world – between more or less 7 and 9.30 am or going back to Brussels between give or take 3.30 and 6.30 pm (from 2 or 3 pm on Fridays). If you’re heading away from Brussels, it should be fine.

Insider tip 2: if you’re comming, call me, I live only 20 minutes away! 🙂

The fairy-like Hallerbos, Halle, Belgium The fairy-like Hallerbos, Halle, Belgium The fairy-like Hallerbos, Halle, Belgium

The fairy-like Hallerbos, Halle, Belgium

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Europe | Belgium  / Guides & Itineraries

17 Comments


Naomi
21st April 2016 at 7:44 pm
Reply

can’t help it but I love your post about Belgium. Maybe because it’s because I have plans to go there next week. Still not sure though. Looking for a place to camp nearby and I want at least some dry weather. Love your pictures! Did you get a new camera?



    lilistravelplans
    21st April 2016 at 8:15 pm
    Reply

    Hehe thank you! 🙂 Let me know if you do decide to come! I never go camping in Halle so no idea about that, sorry 🙂 And yes I got a new camera not so long ago and took a photography course and everything and now I’m totally addicted! 🙂

Peter Harwerth
22nd April 2016 at 1:53 am
Reply

What a temptation! This is really, really marvelous. Great photos and you are right, nothing you say can make this any more beautiful.



gino
22nd April 2016 at 8:06 pm
Reply

hey, liesbeth. very good choice for a first article, i’m personally very keen on wilderness and outdoor activities. the place is really nice and belgium is one of my fave countries in europe, esp. because of the amazing architecture (leuven and gent left me speechless). good luck with yr project and keep going. if you feel likfe check on my FB page, where BE is pictured on a 2002 album. leave yr comments, likes, suggestions. i’m open to new ideas! next: bolivia/peru 1986 and morocco 1991. =D



JenThereDoneThat
23rd April 2016 at 6:21 pm
Reply

I only spent a week in Belgium, but loved everything! I went in February (off-season) so I missed out on the spring flowers. Thank you for the reminder that I need to go back for another visit to Belgium, to stop and smell the flowers!



    lilistravelplans
    13th May 2016 at 11:17 pm
    Reply

    Yes you definitely should come back! 🙂 And if you go in the late afternoon, you actually can smell the flowers, which makes it even more wonderful!! 🙂

Melanie Campbell
4th December 2017 at 6:18 am
Reply

I only spent a few days in Belgium, but loved everything! Unfortunately I missed the opportunity to admire these flowers.
Thanks for your photos!



    lilistravelplans
    5th December 2017 at 5:13 pm
    Reply

    Aaaah a good reason to go back!!

Michael Everett
22nd February 2018 at 7:11 am
Reply

Thanks for great information .I will go to Belgium



Kevin Smith
5th April 2018 at 6:52 pm
Reply

I am a fan of traveling and this blog fits my taste very well. Thanks for sharing and I am looking forward to reading more from you!



    Michelle Phan
    18th November 2019 at 10:37 am
    Reply

    Hi Kevin,

    It’s amazing to find you here, my friend. I am a big fan of this blog too and really admire the writer.

MumbaiAbout
23rd August 2018 at 3:43 pm
Reply

Great pictures. Never seen a purple touch near trees like this.



Daniel Guys
18th November 2019 at 10:56 am
Reply

Thanks for the super great information!



Max
18th November 2019 at 10:58 am
Reply

Wow, wonderful content!

Hope to see more of this!



Leon
18th November 2019 at 11:00 am
Reply

Love to hear this experience. Hope to hear form you again!



Dan
18th November 2019 at 11:03 am
Reply

Thank you for this great sharing!



Lesie
18th November 2019 at 11:06 am
Reply

I want more than thisssss



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