Best foot forward in Flemish Brabant: 12 walks to get to know the region

Moving to a new country is always exciting. Yes, there’s a lot of admin and practical things to do, but you also have a new area to explore, things to see and places to go. But where do you start? If you’re an expat in Brussels, or contemplating being one soon, then maybe we can help! Here’s some recommendations for great walks in the region from the team at Tourism Flemish Brabant.

Let’s start by setting the scene. Flemish Brabant is the province which surrounds Brussels, covering an area of 2,118 km2. Created in 1995, the province includes 65 municipalities and has a population of well over a million people. So, if you have chosen Brussels as your new home, Flemish Brabant is right on your doorstep and waiting to be discovered.

Every year, in early spring, the team at Tourism Flemish Brabant creates a Dutch-language guide to exploring the province on foot. For 2024, they’ve also created a limited edition, English-language guide. It outlines 12 walks, suitable for new and experienced walkers, listed by the season when they’re best visited. You’ll also found details of the route markers you need to follow, plus recommendations of places to visit and eat around the walks. And the best bit? The guide is free, all you have to do is pay the postage!

Not sure if you need a free walking guide in your life? Well, here are our four favourite walks from the guide. If you would like to discover the other eight, you’ll need to pick up your own copy.

    Big Oak Walk – Bierbeek

Located around 30 minutes east of Brussels, Bierbeek is a small town nestled in the countryside. The walk covers 12.6 kms through woodland, including over 1,000 majestic oak trees. This is a lovely area to lose yourself in nature and get away from the hustle of the city. And when you’re done, what to do? Well, the guide strongly recommends a bistro where you can “enjoy a local beer and something scrumptious”, which is always great in our book!

Halewijn Walk – Zoutleeuw

An hour’s drive outside of Brussels lies the town of Zoutleeuw. With a population of just under 8,500 people, it is home to the historical St Leonard’s Church, which is a UNESCO world heritage site. The Halewijn walk covers 11.4 kms and will take you past the church, if you’d like to visit it. Before that, you’ll be treated to a trip through Het Vinne Provincial Domain, a nature reserve that includes the largest natural lake in Flanders.  Het Vinne also has a watch tower from where you can view the whole lake and a playground for the kids.

   Kesterbeek Walk – Beersel

Beersel is 30 minutes’ drive south of Brussels, and only 18 minutes by train. Although it’s only  8 kms, this walk does feature some higher ground, so get ready to elevate your heart rate. Running through the Zenne River’s valley, it is a fantastic way to enjoy the local countryside and to work up a thirst for a trip to the local brewery, Oud Beersel, when you’re done. While you’re here, we’d recommend you take a trip to Beersel Castle. Built in 1300, it has a rich history and is considered one of Belgium best preserved castles.

   Warande Walk – Tervuren

East of Brussels lies the historic town of Tervuren, a treasure trove of historical and cultural sites, which is well worth a visit on its own. The Warande walk encompasses the St Hubert Chapel, Het Spaans Huis restaurant, and the AfricaMuseum. At only 5.8 kms long, you get a lot of sights for a short distance. The AfricaMuseum boasts a vast collection of objects and items from central Africa, including over 10,000,000 specimens in the Department of Zoology, 200,000 rock samples in the Department of Geology and over 120,000 objects in the Department of Cultural Anthropology.