Belgium is exploding in color this month! For me, April means the color purple as millions of wild hyacinths burst into bloom. It’s worth a trip to Belgium just to see this miraculous display by Mother Nature. My recommendation is Hallerbos, a 1,360-acre Flanders forest that explodes with color each spring. The time to go is now!
The bluebells of Hallerbos have been a regular attraction on my spring hiking calendar since I first moved to Belgium. I’m not alone. Thousands of visitors flock to Halle each day to get a glimpse of this spectacular gift from nature.
Find it in Flanders
Each April, Hallerbos springs to life as wild hyacinths (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) color the forest floor for a few weeks. Buds on the trees provide a canopy in various shades of light green. You’ll find ash, beech, pine and even giant sequoias. Below them, delicate white wood anemones lie, interspersed with budding bluebells. A few days later, native bluebells pop up to cover the forest with a deep blue carpet. Mother Nature is one heck of a designer!
The Halle beech forest is stunning at any time of the year, but when the bluebells peak, the fragrance, and beauty will take your breath away. The forest is literally covered with a thick, purple, floral carpet. Just take a look!
Meander through the 2.25 square miles with purple wooden stakes — the exact color of the flowers at their peak — guiding you to the most stunning areas as you wander up hills and down winding paths.-
It’s easy to get there, thanks to the proximity of the Halle train station and buses that take you to the blooms. Here’s an easy transport guide. You can always drive, but parking can be a nightmare and the local police ticket anyone not following parking regulations.
An Important Forest
Hallerbos is called the “most important and most extensive forest area” between Belgium’s Zenne and Sonian forest. This year’s colder temperatures delayed the blooms a bit, but the forest will be covered in a thick, purple carpet shortly. I’m still waiting for the bluebells in my garden to peek out of the soil. They must still be wearing their winter jackets.
My first visit to Hallerbos was on a Thursday morning. I drove and found a prime parking spot in minutes. And there were plenty of spaces. I think that was an anomaly. The bluebells weren’t at their peak on that visit, but when I returned with friends fort a two-hour walk a week later, the peak display was breathtaking!
Native Bluebells
The native bluebells of Belgium are not to be confused with Spanish bluebells. Those are light blue or even pink instead of the deep blues and purples of the Belgian blooms. In just a few short weeks, the color will fade and the trees will once again shade the Flanders forest floor. Don’t get me wrong. Hallerbos is still an amazing place to hike and cycle, even after the color fades.
Learn more about Hallerbos here.
An Alternative to Hallerbos
Hallerbos is not the only place to view bluebells. In neighboring Neigembos (Neigem forest) near Ninove, you can find an impressive display of color, but without the crowds. You’ll hear the birds singing and the leaves rustling under your feet instead of the loud voices of other flower lovers. Ah, nature!
Like Hallerbos, Neigembos has some impressive beech trees, some of which are more than 100 years old. They managed to survive logging during World War I. Signs tactfully remind you to protect them by staying on the trail. Climbing on the hills can compact soil and reduce the amount of food and water the trees receive. You may even run into a friendly forest ranger who is there to ensure that people don’t walk through the bluebells. And, yes, there is a hefty fine for breaking the rules.
Make a day of it and hike throughout the area near Nivove and Gooik. Farmland, orchards, forests, and friendly farm animals make it an enjoyable trek. It’s easy to plan a walk using the numbered footpath system. We ended our 8-mile hike at Cafe Den Haas in Gooik.
Don’t Forget About the Daffodils
Bluebells aren’t the only stars this month. Millions of wildflowers are blossoming across Belgium, and we’re going wild over the colors. While breathtaking purple blooms decorate forest floors, brilliant yellow daffodils light up fields, meadows, and hillsides.
You have to be lucky to catch both bluebells and daffodils at their peak, but it’s possible this year. Grab a comfortable pair of shoes, your camera, and a few friends, and you’ll soon be going wild for wildflowers, too.
Best Time to Go
The best time to go is now. Flowers are at their peak, both the white wood anemones and the bluebells. Trees above them are just starting to blossom. They’ll block the sun in a few short weeks, and flowers will fade from purple to a light, blue-grey color. Check the daily report on the status of the flowers at Hallerbos here. Flowers in Neigembos will be about the same.
Weekends tend to be crazy busy with thousands of hikers and visitors. Try a weekday in the early morning or early evening for a more leisurely experience. Avoid Wednesday afternoons when school is out. Crowds can be bigger then. Be aware that Hallerbos is especially busy over Easter weekend. Neigembos is quieter Plan your visit for a weekday to avoid crowds.
Rules of the Forest
There are strict rules to follow if you go to the forest, and Belgians are very good at respecting them. It is forbidden to walk among the bluebells or, heaven forbid, pick them. And while dogs are welcome, they must be kept on a leash at all times.
INSTAGRAMMERS: Take your selfies while standing on the path, not among the flowers. If you ignore the rules, you’ll get a hefty fine. Bluebells are exceptionally delicate, and trampling them can prevent them from blooming again.
Hikers can download a hiking map of the forest here. Just follow the colored spikes that correspond with your interest. Trust me; you’ll want to go purple.
Divine Daffodils
The bluebells are not the only flowers to steal the thunder each spring. A few hours to the east, Belgium has another visual treat. Wild daffodil meadows are in full bloom in the High Fens region. More than 10 million tiny daffodils (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) cover fields, meadows, and hills near the Belgian/German border. The flower fairies bring magic to the region each April with an explosion of these tiny yellow flowers.
Like the bluebells, the floral display lasts only for a few weeks and attracts many hikers and nature enthusiasts. My first daffodil hike in the area was a nine-mile trek along paths, roads, and forests. We started in Büllingen, Belgium, crossing into Germany near the Siegfried Line, a German defensive line built during the late 1930s. It’s nice to mix a little history into nature walks.
Was it worth a two-hour drive? Absolutely yes! Climbing to the viewpoint above a small river, we were mesmerized by Mother Nature’s work. The second half of the walk was devoid of flowers, but we still had some fantastic vistas.
More Flowers!
Love flowers? Read about Keukenhof, the world-famous tulip garden in the Netherlands, or visit Groot Bijgaarden in Flanders.
What’s next on the floral agenda? A trip to Groot Bijgaarden Castle to see a million tulips and a visit to the Royal Gardens of Laeken. I love spring in Belgium!
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