Bluebells: Hike Brussels (Ukkel) - Halle: 25 km

It’s 10 years ago that I organized my first Meetup hike, around that time of year, in the Halle “bluebell” forest, close to where I live. So it’s time for an anniversary hike, in the same area, a bit earlier in the year as the bluebells are earlier this year. This forest is very known for the bluebells and will be crowded but it’s worth it. Besides, only a part of the whole hike is in the forest and we’ll be away from the crowds for the rest of it.
We start in Brussels (station Ukkel-Kalevoet) and follow the GR12 Amsterdam – Brussels – Paris for quite a while, all through Drogenbos and Beersel to approach Halle forest in Dworp. We go to the main bluebells area and then get out of the forest and walk towards Halle through some other smaller forests and parks. A drink at the end is a long-standing tradition, optional of course.
Meeting point: Ukkel-Kalevoet station in Brussels (in front of the station building), at 9h30. Besides a train arriving from Brussels-Nord/Central/Midi at 9h23, it’s also a stop of tram 18 and busses 43 and 60.
Back from Halle to Brussels there are 3 trains per hour to Midi/Central/Nord (less than usual due to works on the track), but there are also replacement busses and De Lijn busses to south or west of Brussels.
Walking pace / difficulty: 4-5 km/h on average while walking. Paved roads are avoided as much as possible, and I expect it to be muddy, that’s part of the charm. Regular pauses: roughly 10 min every 1 – 1,5 hour, longer at lunch (picnic somewhere on our way). It should be doable for everybody in reasonable physical condition. It’s not a race, it’s for enjoyment. Don’t make it a race, if you want to walk fast, you’d better choose another event or go on your own. We walk in group.
What to take: decent hiking shoes, picnic, enough water, clothing adapted to the weather (including rain protection).
Weather: The hike will take place in any weather, unless it is unsafe to do so (heavy rain/wind). Nothing in the current forecast points in that direction.
RSVP rules: In order to give everyone the opportunity to see the announcement and plan their participation, RSVP opens at a specific moment: Wednesday 01/04 at 21h (it’s not a joke). Be ready at that moment and you’re in (afterwards, it might fill up fast as I intentionally keep the group size small). The first people on the waiting list have a pretty good chance to get in the following days, keep an eye on the Meetup notifications. If you decide not to come, be considerate to the other hikers and cancel sufficiently in advance to give someone else a chance to join. Do not show up if you’re not on the going list. All this is done in order to keep things organized and give a pleasant experience to me and the group. Please respect the rules.
You are responsible for your own safety and for your own actions at any moment during the event. The organizers are volunteers who propose an activity to share with other interested people on their personal initiative, and cannot be held responsible in case of accident. Taking part in the event means you agree to this.