The blue forest of Hallerbos

What it is

Hallerbos is a public forest near the town of Halle, a short way south of Brussels. For most of the year it is a quiet beech wood. In April, just as the young beech leaves open pale green overhead, millions of wild bluebells flower beneath them. The effect lasts roughly two weeks, and the timing moves with the spring. Wood anemones flower white just before. During the bloom the forest managers mark walking loops, close some roads and run shuttle buses from Halle, because the number of visitors has grown a great deal in recent years.

Before you go

• Stay on the paths. The bulbs sit close to the surface and footsteps kill them.
• Go at sunrise or on a weekday. Midday at weekends is crowded.
• Take the train to Halle and the seasonal bus, since parking near the forest is restricted during the bloom.

The flowers you will see

Wood anemoneA spring wildflower of European woodlands with star-shaped white or pale blooms

Also part of it, and being written: Hyacinthoides non-scripta.

More in Belgium

🇧🇪 Brussels · AugustThe Flower Carpet on the Grand-PlaceEvery second August, volunteers lay a carpet of begonia flowers across the paving of the main square of Brussels.