Millions of wildflowers are blossoming across Belgium, and we’re going wild over the colors. Breathtaking purple blooms decorate forest floors, and brilliant yellow daffodils light up fields, meadows, and hillsides. Yes, it’s April and time for the annual display of bluebells and narcissi!
You have to be lucky to catch both bluebells and daffodils at their peak, but it’s possible this week. Grab a comfortable pair of shoes, your camera, and a few friends, and you’ll soon be going wild for wildflowers, too.
Bluebells of Hallerbos
Spectacular, breathtaking, unforgettable. Those are just a few words people use to describe their experience at Hallerbos, or Halle forest. Tens of thousands of people flock to the forest each year to view millions of bluebells in bloom. I’ve managed a visit for five of the last six years and have never been disappointed. The one year I missed was due to COVID-19 closures.
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.
Hallerbos is 1,360 acres of pure magic that you can meander through for hours. Paths are clearly marked. Purple wooden stakes — the exact color of the flowers at their peak — guide walkers to the most stunning areas as they wander up hills and down winding paths. I’d love to know the “Pantone color” for that purple!
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.
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.
Hallerbos was especially busy over Easter weekend. Neigembos was very quiet. Plan your visit for a weekday to avoid crowds, and don’t go on a Wednesday afternoon when school is out, as there are bigger crowds then.
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. For you 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. This was my first daffodil hike in the area. We walked about 9 miles along paths, roads, and forests. The hike 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.
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!
