The best walks and hikes around Flanders

Yes, many trails in Flanders are great for hiking with dogs, but it's important to check local regulations. In nature reserves like Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide, dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash to protect the wildlife. Always look for signage at trailheads for specific rules.

Flanders offers many easy, shorter walks perfect for a family day out. The Hacklebarney State Park loop via Riverside Trail — Morris County is a great option, covering about 4.4 km through pleasant woodland. For a unique experience, consider a trip to Sahara Lommel, a tranquil nature reserve with sandy areas and a lookout tower that kids will love.

Absolutely. Flanders is crossed by a network of long-distance footpaths known as Grote Routepaden (GR trails), marked with red and white stripes. A great example is the National Park Trail in Hoge Kempen, which is a 110-kilometer route through heathlands and forests. For a multi-day coastal experience, the GR 5A trail explores the unique polder landscapes and dunes.

While Flanders is not primarily known for large waterfalls, you can find charming water features on certain routes. The Mountain Trail Overlook – Waterfall on Electric Brook loop from Long Valley is a lovely 4.7 km trail that specifically includes a waterfall, offering a refreshing sight during your walk.

Hiking in the Flemish Ardennes is characterized by rolling hills, sunken lanes, and panoramic views, offering a more challenging terrain than other parts of Flanders. This area is famous from the Tour of Flanders cycling classic, and many trails take you over the same iconic 'bergs' or hills. It's a rewarding region for those who enjoy some elevation gain.

Yes, many of the best routes are loops, allowing you to start and end in the same place without retracing your steps. The Hiking loop from Milltown is a substantial 12.5 km circular route for a longer day out. Most color-coded trails in areas like Hoge Kempen National Park are also designed as loops.

Flanders has several magnificent forests for hiking. The Sonian Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site near Brussels, is famous for its towering ancient beech trees and serene atmosphere. For a different experience, the pine forests within Hoge Kempen National Park offer a vast network of trails through a wilder landscape of woods and heathland.

Yes, combining hiking with Belgium's beer culture is a popular activity. The Pajottenland region, west of Brussels, is famous for its traditional Lambic and Geuze beers. You can follow themed walks like the Wildegisten Walk that lead you through the rolling landscape and past historic breweries.

The Flemish coast offers more than just beaches. A highlight for hikers is the Zwin Nature Park, a unique tidal area of salt marshes and mudflats that is a haven for birdwatchers. You can explore trails through the Zwin plain and the surrounding dunes for a unique coastal nature experience.

Many hiking areas in Flanders are accessible by public transport. The Sonian Forest is easily reached from Brussels, and many GR trails are designed as 'train walks' that conveniently start and end at different train stations. This makes it easy to plan linear hikes without needing a car.

The trails here are highly rated by the Komoot community, with an average score of 4.8 stars. Hikers often praise the surprising variety of landscapes in such a compact region, from the challenging hills of the Ardennes to the peaceful heathlands of the Kempen and the ancient Sonian Forest.

Hoge Kempen National Park offers a unique landscape of vast pine forests and wide-open heathlands, which are especially beautiful when the heather blooms in late summer. A distinctive feature is the 'terrils', man-made hills from the area's mining past, which now serve as excellent viewpoints over the park.