Hiking with Your Dog

***The “Hautes Fagnes” nature park*** is located in the east of Belgium and is ***one of the most special nature reserves in Europe***. It’s an ***exceptional biotope*** with colorful heathlands, special plants and animals. We wil start our hike in ***“Signal the Botrange” (694 m), the highest point in Belgium*** and mostly follow the ***GR 573 to Spa.*** On our way we walk through ***heathland and forests*** and pass by the beautiful ***Hoëgne valley***. ***After our hike*** we continue our good habit of ***taking a nice beer/pancake/snack in a local pub*** in Spa 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 that there are some mistakes in the planning***. This means it could become longer. ●●***Meeting point*** We meet at ***07h45 in front of Starbucks in Brussels Central***. The train (IC506 - Eupen) leaves from ***platform 3 at 08h01***. It arrives at ***09h22 in Verviers***, where will ***take BUS 390 (Rocherath) at 09h45 at the sation*** to ***“Signal de Botrange”.*** We **arrive at our destination at 10h14** and start our hike in Les Hautes Fagnes to Spa. ●● ***Train tickets*** \- single ticket Brussels to Verviers \(14\,90 € weekend / 9\,00 € with train card\+\) \- single ticket fort he bus \(TEC\) fort he last part to Signal de Botrange \- single ticket Spa to Brussels \(14\,90 € weekend / 9\,00 € with train card\+\) ●● ***Train back to Brussels*** There is a ***train every hour at XX:41*** (L6866 – Verviers) from ***platform 1***. It arrives at ***X1:06 in Verviers*** where we have ***to change to train (IC541 – Oostende)*** who leaves from ***X1:37 from platform 5***. **LAST TRAIN = 21h41** ●● **Specifics** distance: \~ 28 km elevation gain: \~ 218 m net walking time ***(breaks are not included here):*** \~ 6h30 level: ***intermediate – hiking experience is an advantage*** 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](http://meetup.com/) website and/or your emails. **●● *What to bring*** \- warm comfortable hiking clothes – *waterproof hiking shoes* \- extra socks to change \+ compeed for blisters \- enough water \(min 2 l\) and food for lunch/breaks \- sun protection oil\, tick repellent\, a hat and sunglasses OR a raincoat (please consult the weather forecast on [www.meteo.be](http://www.meteo.be/)) **\- some cash 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** so other people still have the possibility to join. This is basic courtesy towards others. **People who cancel at the last day (24h) or don’t show up for the hike will be blacklisted for future hikes.** **When you are on the waitinglist it means you should not come to the hike. When there is no +1 function it means you can't bring any guests. Everyone should register for him/her self.** **●● 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.

🏔️ The Vosges Region – A Hiking Paradise in Eastern France The Vosges Mountains are a medium-height mountain range in northeastern France, stretching along the border with Alsace. Known for their rounded summits and vast forests, the Vosges offer a peaceful and accessible hiking destination suitable for a wide range of levels. **Write me a message if you want to join.**

**Somatic Movement** is a powerful method based on principles and wisdom from Eastern movement practices, such as yoga and Tai Chi, as well as Western techniques and insights from neuroscience, trauma therapy, and burnout recovery. The goal is to activate your body and brain by allowing energy to flow through your system without overloading the nervous system. This is achieved through gentle, intentional movements, stretches and exercises, but also by increasing awareness and sensory perception — both internally (within ourselves) and externally (of our surroundings). Combining tension-releasing stretches, easy flow-restoring exercises (using trees, branches, logs, stones, hills...), doing silent or touch meditations and playful authentic relating games, we're able to release a lot of stored tension and start to feel free, open-hearted, unassuming and adventurous again. The 2h-sessions focus on gradually increasing physical resilience, but include emotional and energetic aspects as well to restore balance in body, mind and spirit. There is no competitive stake, there are no extremes or high-intensity actions involved. But we do sometimes challenge our personal comfort zones a bit, sliding in and out, bumping into some limiting belief or conviction we might carry within. We learn by looking at things from different perspectives. The sessions are guided by seasoned therapist Ken. For more info on his practices, please visit: www.nieuwegrond.be **PRACTICAL** This is a free introduction session for you. But since this is a professional practice, where paying people might participate as well, we can only offer this once. If you wish to continue afterwards, you can talk to Ken personally or book through his website mentioned above. The session starts at 10h sharp and ends at 12h. Meeting and end-point is always Parking Forest Playground Everzwijnbad, Weertsedreef 16, Oud-Heverlee at the border of Meerdaelwoud. Please read the location description well, Google Maps can be a bit tricky. Since we're in the forest and will connect with trees, branches, soil etc, please make sure your clothes can handle this. If you wish, you can bring some water and small towel for comfort, but it's not a must. Please be aware that the organizer can not be held responsible for any damage or losses you might suffer. A safe environment is a priority for everyone. The event will be cancelled only when the weather really doesn't allow it. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask via personal message. We hope to see and connect with you there! Ken

Join Sunday Vacations for a cozy Saturday brunch at **Aksum Coffee House**, one of Brussels’ most beautiful cafés, where rich Ethiopian coffee, fresh Moroccan crêpes, and vibrant international vibes meet in perfect harmony. This is more than just brunch, it’s a relaxed way to start your weekend, meet new people, and enjoy a soulful spot full of stories and flavors. ### 📍 Where? **Aksum Coffee House – Galeries Sainte Hubert (Just a few steps from Grand Place) ### 🕚 When? **Saturday at 11:30 AM** Come hungry, curious, and ready to mingle! ### 🍽️ What’s on the menu? ☕ Fresh-roasted Ethiopian coffee 🥞 Moroccan-style crêpes & artisan pastries 🥚 Tasty brunch dishes (vegetarian options too) 🧾 Everyone pays their own order at the counter. ### 👋 Who’s joining? Expect a mix of international professionals, friendly locals, and Sunday Vacations regulars. Solo? New in town? Come anyway, this is the perfect place to connect. --- 🧡 **Limited spots** – RSVP early to secure your place at the table. By joining this event, you agree to the Sunday Vacations [Terms & Conditions](https://www.sundayvacations.com/terms), [Privacy Policy](https://www.sundayvacations.com/privacy) & [Code of Conduct](https://www.sundayvacations.com/code)

Hi everyone. This weekend climbing at Arkose. Whether you're a seasoned climber or a beginner interested in starting your climbing career, this event is the perfect opportunity to challenge yourself and meet like-minded individuals. After the climb, stick around and grab a snack or a drink with the others and talk about the sweet smell of chalk on your hands or brag about the amount of times you fell on the soft mattress ;p See you at 12pm at the main hall. If you are a bit late, change and meet us inside at the wall. I am easy to find. Or send me a message.

We will be walking through the forest for a little over 1 1/2 hours, silently, just noticing the world around us and inside us. The idea is to experience the magic of a different type of walking, The invitation is to slow down and notice what is going on inside you and around you. Very often people experience a closer connection with nature and with self, with sometimes surprising insights. *Please make sure you are fit enough to go the 4.5 km distance. We will be walking slowly, but we will not take any breaks.* We will be meeting at the Hermann Debroux Metro at **14h**. (Exit straight ahead after leaving the platform--on the Loxam side). If you RSVP as coming, please be on time. We will be starting our walk from there 5 min. after the hour sharp. There is the renovated Maison de Prieur at the exit of the forest where we could gather for a drink or a meal after our walk, depending on what you feel like. Looking forward to an inward adventure? Come and join us on **Saturday, June 20, at 14h** My phone number is 0472 92 11 76, in case you need to communicate with me.

!!!!!!!!!!!!! READ ALL OF THIS - MANDATORY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If it is raining at or close to start time consider the ride cancelled. Common sense prevails. Ride length is generally about 35 kms at a pace of 18 kph with stops as needed so people catch up. We are advanced in terms of fitness and speed. We do have occasional beginner rides too. (http://redirect.viglink.com?key=bbb516d91daee20498798694a42dd559&u=https%3A//goo.gl/maps/qKG78wnW2dk) Please bring: A MOUNTAIN BIKE ! This is important. NO hybrids or road bikes - they won’t make it where we ride. The club is a MOUNTAIN BIKE club. E-Bikes are discouraged – we are trying to get some exercise 😊 A HELMET - MANDATORY ! No helmet = no ride with us. WEAR A HELMET !!!!!! And no, I don't care if you drove 2 hours and forgot your helmet ! Bring some water and a snack. A spare tube. DON'T BRING: A bike that is going to fall apart. Brakes need to brake, tires need to be properly inflated. Shifters need to shift ! The time to confirm this is a few days BEFORE the ride so you are not scrambling the morning of the ride. Don’t bring: kick stands, bike locks, fenders, baskets or fenders/mud guards they will just fall off and slow you down! Take this stuff off before you come. Meet at: Cool island / Ave Louise Avenue Louise 589, 1000 Bruxelles goo.gl/maps/qKG78wnW2dk (http://redirect.viglink.com?key=bbb516d91daee20498798694a42dd559&u=https%3A//goo.gl/maps/qKG78wnW2dk) As an FYI we're the http://www.bigm.be/ (http://redirect.viglink.com?key=bbb516d91daee20498798694a42dd559&u=https%3A//goo.gl/maps/qKG78wnW2dk) Big M mountain bike club. We invite you to come out and join us. If you decide that this is a club you'd like to join the yearly dues are 15 euros and that entitles you to access to our members only forum and calendar etc.

On Sunday it is going to be hot, so I suggest a hike at the coast, where temperatures will probably be milder. We will start early to avoid the heat and the crowds on the train. Once in De Panne, the first part of the hike will go through the dunes into the direction of France. Halfway we cross the border into the coastal village Bray-Dunes, where we will have a lunch break. After lunch we return to De Panne along the beach. As usual we end our hike with a beer or an ice cream. Important: As the number of participants is limited, it is important that you manage your registration responsibly: only sign up if you really intend to come and cancel as soon as you know you can’t (this also goes for people on the waiting list!). We will try to keep close to an average speed of about 5 km/h. We will walk mainly on unpaved roads. I’ve not tested this track beforehand, so it’s possible that there are some mistakes in the planning. ●●You can find the track here: https://loc.wiki/t/269936362?wa=sc ●●Meeting point: We meet at the railway station of De Panne at 10h08. If you start from Brussels-Central, you should take train IC 3630 direction De Panne at 7h45. I am living in Ghent, so I will get on that train later. Let's try to find each other in the front car of the train. ●● Train tickets: Return ticket to De Panne ●● Back to Brussels: In De Panne there is one direct train back to Brussels every hour. ●● Specifics: Distance: ca 22km Elevation gain: a few sandy dunes Net walking time: ca 5hours Weather forecast: Looks great for the moment. 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 website or your emails. ●● What to bring: * Comfortable hiking clothes &shoes * rain gear (just in case) * water + food for the breaks * sun cream * Compeed for blisters * some small money for drinks ●● Basic rules: Please RSVP only if you really intend to come. And if your plans change, update your RSVP asap, even hours before the walk. This is basic courtesy towards others. Repeated late cancellations are not well considered (at all). No-shows are even worse. Do not show up for a hike unless you are on the “going” list. People with the "go-with-the-flow" label are only moved from the waitlist 24 hours before the hike. I give you the label "go-with-the-flow" if you did not show up in one of my hikes before, or if you canceled for one of these hikes less than 24 hours in advance without a good reason. ●● Acknowledgement of member responsibility and release of liability: You are responsible for yourself and should be fit enough if you want to take part. As the participation in the events 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. By signing up for this event, you agree to release the organisers from any responsibility and liability. Moreover, the organisers aren't tour operators, so they don't feel obliged to answer to every text message or email!

Looking for an easy Sunday outdoors with good company, fresh air, and a beautiful lakeside setting? Join Sunday Vacations for a community day trip to Hofstade, one of the most popular nature and recreation areas near Brussels. We'll spend the day enjoying nature, sharing a picnic, walking around the park, and relaxing by the lake. Whether you're new to Brussels, an expat looking to meet people, or simply looking for a refreshing Sunday outdoors, this is a great opportunity to slow down, connect, and enjoy the start of summer together. **Plan / Itinerary** 09:15 Meet in front of Starbucks at Brussels Central Station 09:32 Train departure to Hofstade 10:40 Arrival at Hofstade 10:45 – 12:30 Nature Walk Around the Park We'll begin the day with a relaxed walk around the beautiful Hofstade domain, taking in the lakeside scenery, nature trails, and summer atmosphere while getting to know fellow participants. 12:30 – 16:00 Picnic & Beach Time After the walk, we'll settle at the beach area by the lake for a community picnic. Bring your favourite food, snacks, and drinks and enjoy a relaxing afternoon together by the water. The afternoon is yours to enjoy: Relax on the beach Meet new people Enjoy the sunshine Swim in the lake if you wish Play games or simply unwind by the water Around 16:15 Departure from Hofstade Approximately 17:30 Arrival at Brussels Central Station **Price / Contribution** Participants are responsible for: Train tickets Ticket for the entrance in the beach area: 6 euro (my advice is to buy online in advance) Food and drinks for the picnic Personal expenses Become part of the Sunday Vacations community: 🔹 Explorer – from €5/year 🔹 Voyager – from €50/year 🔹 Ambassador – from €150/year Membership supports the growth of our community and helps us organise more social, cultural, and outdoor experiences throughout the year. **Who This Is For** This event is perfect for: International professionals Expats living in Belgium Locals interested in meeting international people Nature lovers Solo joiners Anyone looking for a relaxed and social Sunday outdoors No hiking experience required. **What To Bring** Picnic lunch Water bottle Comfortable walking shoes Sunscreen Swimwear and towel (optional) **Legal Disclaimer** Sunday Vacations is a community initiative operated by UJAMAA ASBL and acts solely as a community organiser. Transportation, food, beverages, entrance fees, and any third-party services are arranged and paid for individually by participants unless explicitly stated otherwise. Activities are organised by volunteers and covered under the COCOF volunteer insurance framework. VAT not applicable – small business exemption scheme, Article 56bis Belgian VAT Code. Participation is voluntary and at your own responsibility. **Ready to Join?** Swap the city for nature, meet great people, and enjoy a summer Sunday by the lake. Reserve your spot and join us for a relaxed day of connection, fresh air, and good company. See you at Brussels Central Station! 🌞🏖️

Hi WW's, This Sunday we shall walk along some of the WWII anti-tank canals in the Haacht area. The walk should look something like this : [https://www.komoot.com/tour/2923379742?ref=aso&t_s=referral&t_cid=route_share&share_token=ad5Q7OflBA0kWw3JD9eOh2WZfsNIKUBku8iefM9xg52WlThEpm](https://www.komoot.com/tour/2923379742?ref=aso&t_s=referral&t_cid=route_share&share_token=ad5Q7OflBA0kWw3JD9eOh2WZfsNIKUBku8iefM9xg52WlThEpm) The weather should be quite hot but a lot of the walk is in the shade. Bring enough drinks and nibbles to keep you going. After the walk , we shall relax in taverne Den Dijk where we can also have lunch. We plan to leave on time, so if you are late , then follow the map to catch us up. If you have any questions , you can call me on 0475 801026 See you on Sunday. Igor

**Join us for a relaxed Sunday morning meetup at Caffè Leopold in Porte de Namur!** We’ll meet from 11:30 to 13:30 to enjoy coffee, brunch, and easy conversations in a friendly atmosphere. It’s a great opportunity to meet new people, practice English or French, and spend a nice Sunday morning together. Everyone is welcome — whether you come alone or with a friend. Just bring your good mood and be open to meeting others 😊 After the meetup, for those who want, we can also continue with lunch in a nearby place 🍽️ **📍 Location: Caffè Leopold, Porte de Namur** **https://maps.app.goo.gl/UvTUU1H59J4yatS86** **🕦 Time: Sunday, 11:30–13:30** **☕ What to expect: Coffee, casual conversations, friendly people, and a relaxed Sunday vibe.** Join the WhatApp group: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/EimXMXyRBjo7PfHRoVc1j7](https://chat.whatsapp.com/EimXMXyRBjo7PfHRoVc1j7) Personal number: 0471695419

Join us on **Sunday, June 21st**, for our weekly morning run to get your day started on the right foot! We are gathering at our regular haunt, **Café Belga**. This time around we will do a shorter loop via the Abbey- Bois de La Cambre - a lap of the Hippodrome and back along the dirt trails of the Bois de La Cambre. ### What to Expect: * **Distance:** \~11-11.5 km * **Pace:** \~6-6:15 min/km * **Mixed Terrain:** combination of dirt paths and some road sections. * **Good Company:** Run with like-minded individuals and make new friends. * **Post-Run Coffee:** We'll wrap things up right where we started for an optional gathering, refreshments, and camaraderie at Café Belga. * **Bag drop:** No Bag Drop See you all on **June 21st** outside Belga!

Join us for a relaxed open water swimming session in Hofstade. 🏊‍♀️ June 21, we're heading to an open-water pool in Hofstade, the perfect bridge between pool and open water. You still have the safety of the pool, open sky, fresh air, and no chlorine. We’ll help you build confidence in the water, share open-water tips, support your technique, and you might just meet your next training buddy Tereza opens and closes the session with warm-up and cool-down on land. To join this session, you should be able to comfortably swim at least 200m continuously. Entry yours (€6 webshop / €8 door), everything else on us for this first session. Here you can get your [tickets](https://luwio.sport.vlaanderen/aanbod/aankopen/tickets/strandtoegang?fbclid=IwY2xjawSKKf9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFmNTRkZkZZTElJa2ZUWmc5c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlJJQhS17IYNNo9_ukoCd1o2oibiJsffoPlLl58GdbeOiPVEJAsR2KxrgBj1_aem_jUZn3mlFu0Jf6iZj3N2XMg)! Follow [Swimay](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61589530959449) on FB or [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/swimay.eu/) so you don't miss full details! The time of the event may change! We’ll share the final practical details during the week, including the exact meeting time and meeting point. Feel free to join us and invite other swimming or sport enthusiasts.

Meet up at the parking des enfants noyer. https://share.google/8lAn73Y8zJUk2VLKp We will start with a walk in the forest to find a suitable and quiet clearing for the group. Although walking is already a good warm up, we will also invite the body to warm up using Qi Gong flowing movements, before getting acquainted with some Qi Gong forms. We will then practise these beautiful natural movements in a meditative series and enjoy the energy of the forest. As a Qi Gong teacher and practitioner, I think Qi Gong in the forest is a wonderful experience, I hope to see you, everyone is welcome. Numbers limited to 10 so please reserve.

**Hike the Scioto Audubon trail. All paved and flat!** **Plan on 3-4 miles. Hike at your own pace, no one left behind.** **Lunch after at Nocterra for those who wish.**

Meet near the shelter house by the boat ramp off Africa Rd. We'll hike the multipurpose trail, which is mostly grass. 4.1 miles.

This is a small but pretty park with a 1.7-mile loop. We will walk it 2 times. It goes along a ridge and has moderate elevation changes.