Groene Gordel hike - Grimbergen (loop 23 km)

For this hike we will mostly follow the GR 512 and the Regional GR “Groene Gordel”.

We’ll explore Grimbergen with its 12th-century abbey and charming 18th-century Spanish facades on the church square. Along the way, we pass the MIRA public observatory, some historic watermills, peaceful parks and nature reserves. We’ll enjoy the tranquility of the Sea Canal, admire beautiful farms and country houses and take in sweeping views across serene fields and landscapes.

After our hike we can continue our good habit of taking a nice beer/pancake/snack in a local pub in Grimbergen before returning to Brussels.

Please don't forget to pay Maikel a drink :-)

We will walk at an average speed of 5km/h both on paved and unpaved roads. I’ve never walked this road before so it’s possible there are some mistakes in the planning. Be prepared for this.

●●Meeting point
We meet at 09h00 in front of the Delhaize Shop inside the Montgomery Metro Station. There we take the Tram 7 (direction Heysel) until « De Wand » where we change to the bus from « De Lijn » R30 – R31. It will bring us to our destination Grimbergen « Stelplaats » where we start our hike.

●● Bus tickets
Buy your bus ticket in advance via the aplication fron “De Lijn” – the ticket should be 3 €

●● Bus back to Brussels
We take the same bus (R30 – R31) to Brussels (De Wand)

LAST bus = 21:46

●● Specifics
distance: ~ 23 km
elevation gain: ~ 78 m
net walking time (breaks are not included here): ~5h00
level: easy – open to everyone

In the unlikely case of too bad weather, we may cancel a hike, even few hours before the event. If this must happen, we will of course update the Meetup website and send out an email to those registered. So, it is important to have access to either the Meetup.com website and/or your emails.

●● What to bring
- warm comfortable hiking clothes
- extra socks to change + compeed for blisters
- enough water or hot drinks and food for the breaks
- sun protection oil, a hat and sunglasses OR a raincoat
(please watch the weather forecast on www.meteo.be)
- a (head) flashlight and a yellow security vest for the evening
- some money to pay Maikel a drink ;-)

●● Basic rules
Please RSVP only if you really intend to come. And if your plans change, update your RSVP latest 1 day before the hike so other people still have the possibility to join. This is basic courtesy towards others. People who cancel last day or don’t show up for the hike will be blacklisted for future hikes. Do not show up for a hike unless you are on the roster (i.e. ‘yes RSVP’, but not ‘wait listed’).

●● Acknowledgement of member responsibility and release of liability
By signing up for this event, you agree to release the organizers from any responsibility and liability in all claims. As the participation is strictly voluntary and you freely choose to join, it is the responsibility of individuals participating to ensure that they are fit enough and have adequate coverage to protect themselves.