SINT-JORIS-WEERT station *Note changed starting point!! Loop hike 20K

For the hike that I announced yesterday, meeting point changed*: SINT-JORIS-WEERT train station- notice that this is one stop after the one I had previously announced (5 minutes after Oud Heverlee - same train).
How to reach:
Many people will drive, and we always try to organise carpooling. If you are driving, please try to offer lifts and announce it in comments below and on whatsapp (if you are in the group) as soon as you are sure. If you look for a lift, please write it and keep checking for offers from drivers until the last minute.

For those who come by train, there is an option (that takes a bit longer) via Ottignie, arriving at 10:52, and a shorter one with the train leaves from Leuven at 10:55 and arrives at Sint Joris Weert at 11:09 (please do not take the train that gives only 4 min transfer: from Brussels central the SNCB gives a train at 10:18 that has only 4 min change but if I am not wrong there is a train only a couple of minutes earlier that gives you 14 min transfer). Please check in the morning, ahead of time, to see if there are delays announced. If so, please organise it so that you can catch the previous train to arrive at 10:52. If there are no anticipated delays, we will wait for the 11:09 train, even if a bit of delay accumulates. If something major happens we will decide what to do by keeping in touch. Please, let us know in the comments here if you come by train, and give me a call if anything goes wrong or the train is late: 0471750403 (Claudia).

Provided the train is on time, will start walking at 11:15.

I changed the starting point, because Oud Heverlee station does not have a bar. In Sint Joris Weert there is a cafe/pub that seems to be open on Sunday so we can have a drink together if you have to wait for the next train at the end of the hike. We should be finishing the hike at about 5pm or shortly after, but please do not count on this - ending time is always difficult to predict, and we don't want to rush.

Then we might go to a restaurant 5 minutes drive.

The hike:
The entire walk will be 20km.
It will be partly in the forest (Meerdawoud, Heverleeboos, partly in the fields, and we should be walking through some sculpture sites - Ad's sculpture trail and an animal sculture park - I hope we will get to see them... but I would prefer not to promise, just in case the route is not exact).

We will walk at about 5km/h. Please bring some food, we will have a picnic along the way, at least 1,0 L of water, snacks, and good walking shoes, in goretex would be an excellent choice. IT MIGHT SNOW from about 4pm, so make sure your shoes are adequate, and it will be COLD! Be prepared!
Have your GSM battery fully charged, better if you have an extra fully charged battery pack with you.

• Weather

At the moment there is no rain forecast, but at about 4pm it looks like it will start snowing, and the temperature will drop to a very low real-feel temperature. If it's too unpleasant I will make a plan B to shorten the hike a bit, but it could be just fun to walk under the snow. Just be prepared with your clothing. As they say, there is no bad weather, only bad clothing -... being Italian, I am not so sure about that! :-)

• A reminder on the event etiquette (and on good manners in general)

Register only if you are reasonably motivated to participate. As a matter of courtesy towards the people on the waiting list, if you are unable to come, cancel as soon as possible.

• Any questions?

Post a comment or send me a message. If you don't find us or if you are late or lost call me at 0471 75 0403 (Claudia), I will then share live location on WhatsApp.

• WhatsApp "share live location"

When partecipating in the hike, you should understand how to use the WhatsApp function "share live location".

• "Walking in Bruxelles" WhatsApp group.

If you want to be part of the "Walking in Bruxelles" WhatsApp group (requirements: to have at least hiked once with us in the past, or be subscribed and intend to participate to this hike), just send a WhatsApp message to 0476 796026 with your name and the text “subscribe”. If you want to be added also to “Brussels (cultural) events” group, which is a subgroup of Walking in Bruxelles, but more dedicated to social activities, please specify it in the message.

• Acknowledgement of member responsibility and release of liability

You should be fit enough if you want to take part, and you are responsible for yourself and your safety. Know your limits and choose to participate or not accordingly. The organizers in this group are all volunteers. By partecipating in this event, you agree to release the organizers/hosts from any responsibility/liability, and by signing up for the hike you fully agree with these terms.