🌳 Sonian Forest Sunday Escape | 10 KM Social Hike from Auderghem to Groenendaal

Leave Brussels behind for a few hours and spend your Sunday morning walking through the beautiful green landscapes of the Sonian Forest - fresh air, peaceful forest trails and good company.

We'll start on the Brussels side at Herrmann-Debroux in Auderghem, walk through the Sonian Forest and finish at Groenendaal, where we'll catch the train back to Brussels-Schuman.

Come alone or bring a friend. The idea is simple: walk together, meet new people and enjoy nature close to the city.

🌲 Experience Overview

Our Sunday adventure begins at Herrmann-Debroux, easily accessible by Brussels public transport.

From there, our volunteer hike leader will guide the group on an approximately 10-10.6 km point-to-point route through the Sonian Forest, heading towards Groenendaal.

Along the way, we'll enjoy woodland trails, beautiful autumn scenery and opportunities to connect with other participants.

This is as much a social morning as a hike.

Sunday Vacations creates welcoming experiences where international professionals, expats and locals can meet naturally while enjoying something together.

And the best part? We'll be back at Brussels-Schuman by approximately 13:54, leaving the rest of Sunday free.

🌍 Event Type

🌍 Community Event — Social Hike

• 📍 Start: Herrmann-Debroux, Auderghem
• 🏁 Finish: Groenendaal railway station
• 🥾 Distance: Approximately 10–10.6 km
• ⛰️ Difficulty: Moderate
• 👥 Maximum group size: 15 participants
• 🚆 Return train: 13:37 from Groenendaal
• 🏙️ Arrival at Brussels-Schuman: 13:54

A smaller group helps keep the hike friendly, relaxed and social, making it easier to have meaningful conversations along the way.

✨ Highlights

🌳 Around 10 km through the beautiful Sonian Forest

🍂 Autumn colours, woodland scenery and peaceful trails

🥾 A refreshing Sunday morning outdoors

💬 Relaxed atmosphere for meeting new people

🌍 Friendly international and local community

🙋 Solo joiners very welcome

🚇 Easy starting point at Herrmann-Debroux

🚆 Convenient return by train from Groenendaal

📱 Dedicated Sunday Vacations WhatsApp event group for day-of logistics

The original route indicates approximately 10.6 km with around +150 m ascent and -210 m descent. Because we're reversing the direction, the elevation profile would be approximately +210 m ascent and -150 m descent, assuming we follow the same trail.

The final route and elevation figures remain approximate.

🗺️ Plan / Itinerary

09:45 — Meet at Herrmann-Debroux, Auderghem

We'll gather near the metro station, meet the other participants and have a short welcome briefing.

10:00 — Start our hike

We begin walking towards the Sonian Forest, leaving the urban environment behind.

10:00–11:45 — Forest walking and conversations

We'll follow woodland paths at a steady group pace, with opportunities to chat and enjoy the natural surroundings.

11:45–12:00 — Short break

Time for water, a snack, a few photos and a little rest.

12:00–13:20 — Continue towards Groenendaal

We'll make our way through the forest towards Groenendaal, enjoying the final stretch of the walk together.

13:20 — Target arrival at Groenendaal railway station

We'll aim to reach the station early enough to regroup and prepare for the return journey.

13:37 — Train departure from Groenendaal

Take the S8 train towards Zottegem, stopping at Brussels-Schuman.

13:54 — Arrival at Brussels-Schuman

Our Sunday morning escape ends back in Brussels, with the afternoon still ahead of us!

The walking schedule is indicative. Our volunteer leader may adjust the pace and breaks to accommodate the group and ensure a timely return.

📍 Meeting Point

Herrmann-Debroux Metro Station — Auderghem, Brussels

💶 Price / Contribution

Community hike: Free to join.

Participants are responsible for purchasing their own public transport and train tickets directly from the relevant transport provider.

Any personal purchases, food or drinks are also at your own expense.

🌍 Sunday Vacations Membership

Sunday Vacations is a community by UJAMAA ASBL for people who want to discover new places, spend more time outdoors and build meaningful connections through shared experiences.

Our membership options:

• Explorer — €5/year
• Voyager — €50/year
• Ambassador — €150/year

For this Community Event, newcomers are welcome to come along and discover the community.

Membership helps support Sunday Vacations and the development of future community experiences.

👋 Who This Is For

This hike is ideal for international professionals, expats, Brussels locals, newcomers and anyone who enjoys nature and meeting people in a relaxed environment.

Coming alone? Absolutely!

Many Sunday Vacations participants join events on their own. Walking together provides an easy way to start conversations and make new connections.

You should be comfortable walking approximately 10 km on natural forest trails at a steady group pace.

🎒 What to Bring

• Comfortable hiking shoes with good grip
• At least 1 litre of water
• A small snack or energy bar
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• A rain jacket if necessary
• A charged mobile phone
• Your train ticket for the return journey

Autumn trails may be muddy, wet or slippery, so suitable footwear is strongly recommended.

⚠️ Important Notes

This is a community hike, not a professionally guided hiking tour. The route is coordinated by a volunteer hike leader.

We'll aim to reach Groenendaal railway station by approximately 13:30 to catch the 13:37 train.

The route, walking pace, duration and finishing time may change depending on weather, trail conditions, transport disruptions, group pace or safety considerations.

Participants remain responsible for assessing whether the activity is suitable for their fitness and abilities and for following reasonable safety instructions from the volunteer leader.

Please respect the forest, other visitors and the group. Stay on permitted paths and leave no litter behind.

⚖️ Legal Disclaimer

This event is organised by Sunday Vacations / UJAMAA ASBL as a community activity.

Sunday Vacations is a community organiser and not a travel agency.

Train and public transport services are provided by independent third-party operators. Participants purchase their tickets directly from the relevant providers. UJAMAA ASBL does not control or guarantee third-party transport schedules, delays, cancellations or service changes.

Participation in outdoor activities involves ordinary risks associated with walking on natural terrain, including uneven or slippery surfaces, changing weather and environmental conditions.

Activities are organised by volunteers and covered under the COCOF volunteer insurance framework.

The COCOF volunteer insurance framework is subject to its applicable terms, conditions and exclusions and does not automatically provide personal accident coverage to every participant.

🌿 Ready for a Sunday Morning in Nature?

RSVP on Meetup, join the official Sunday Vacations WhatsApp event group for logistics, and come spend a refreshing morning walking, talking and reconnecting with nature.

A few hours outdoors. New faces. Fresh air. A beautiful forest.

Sometimes that's all you need for a great Sunday.

👉 RSVP now and join Sunday Vacations!

Less routine. More nature. Better connections. 🌿