Silsombos, a region nestled between Kortenberg and Kampenhout, is a significant natural area within "De Groene Vallei," conveniently located between Leuven, Brussels, and Mechelen. This area is characterized by its extensive deciduous forest, recognized as a Natura 2000 site, and its unique character as a marshy forest, often featuring waterlogged terrain and rich biodiversity. The diverse landscape, with its mix of forest paths, gravel sections, and paved routes, provides varied terrain suitable for several sports like hiking, gravel biking, touring…
154
Routes
4.5
(419)
Average rating
4509
People visited

4.5
(2)
54
riders
51.5km
03:55
240m
240m
Hard gravel ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

4.4
(7)
40
riders
36.6km
02:50
190m
190m
Hard gravel ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

5.0
(1)
34
riders
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(8)
323
riders
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.5
(60)
272
hikers
6.39km
01:38
20m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.2
(25)
118
hikers
8.39km
02:07
20m
20m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(21)
77
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(26)
80
hikers
9.96km
02:32
30m
30m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.0
(2)
235
riders
22.2km
01:00
80m
80m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

37
riders
76.4km
03:34
130m
130m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
39
riders
58.3km
02:52
390m
390m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

5.0
(1)
34
riders
53.7km
02:33
100m
100m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.7
(10)
152
riders
16.9km
00:59
40m
40m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(7)
121
riders
31.8km
01:52
50m
50m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(18)
78
riders
34.7km
02:07
120m
120m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.8
(5)
65
riders
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

28
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

25
runners
5.78km
00:36
10m
10m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
23
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

23
runners
8.93km
00:55
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

5.0
(2)
11
riders
46.1km
02:49
100m
100m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5
riders
26.9km
01:32
40m
40m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5.0
(1)
4
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

9
riders
49.0km
03:17
310m
310m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Silsombos offers a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, gravel biking, touring cycling, road cycling, jogging, and mountain biking. The region's diverse landscape provides suitable terrain for various skill levels.
Silsombos features five signposted hiking trails. Popular options include the A.S. Adventure walk (2.6 miles [4.25 km]), the Olmenhoek walk (1.2 miles [1.89 km]), and the IKEA walk (2.6 miles [4.18 km]). Further details can be found in the Hiking in Silsombos guide.
Yes, Silsombos offers family-friendly walks, with the "Prikkelpad" specifically designed to be accessible for children and wheelchairs. The area is suitable for family outings, particularly in early summer when orchids are in bloom. Explore options in the Family-friendly hikes in Silsombos guide.
Silsombos generally permits dogs on trails, but it is advisable to keep them on a leash to protect the local wildlife and marshy environment. Specific dog-friendly routes are highlighted in the Dog-friendly hikes in Silsombos guide.
The region is well-suited for gravel biking, touring cycling, and road cycling, offering a mix of asphalt, gravel, and forest paths. Komoot provides numerous cycling routes, including those for Gravel biking in Silsombos and Traffic-free bike rides in Silsombos.
Silsombos is known for its marshy forest environment and rich biodiversity. Notable features include thousands of wood orchids blooming in early June, giant horsetail plants, and various bird species like nightingales and kingfishers. A viewing wall is available for observing marsh birds.
'De Zwarte Madam' (The Black Madam) is an Our Lady statue hidden under an ancient oak tree by the Molenbeek river. It is a prominent feature in Silsombos, around which local legends and a sense of mystery revolve.
Many trails in Silsombos are considered easy and suitable for various fitness levels, often featuring boardwalks through marshy areas. The "Prikkelpad" is specifically designed for accessibility, including for wheelchairs.
The official website for Silsombos is managed by Natuurpunt: natuurpunt.be/natuurgebied/silsombos. The Green Valley Visitor Centre in Erps-Kwerps also serves as an information hub.
Silsombos is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 430,000 visitors sharing their experiences. Routes in the area have an average rating of 4.38 out of 5 stars.
Yes, Silsombos offers several easy hiking routes suitable for beginners and those seeking a less strenuous experience. Many trails are well-maintained and feature boardwalks. Consult the Easy hikes in Silsombos guide for specific options.
Silsombos is accessible via public transport, with routes available from nearby bus stations. Information on trails starting from these points can be found in the Hikes from bus stations in Silsombos guide.

