The best hikes from bus stations around Forêt de Soignes - Zoniënwoud

Pillar chapel, located at the rear between the Lindevijver and the Putselvijver near the start of the so-called Processieweg, presumably from the second half of the 19th century. Damaged around 2004, subsequently restored and repainted. Little information is known about the origin and foundation of the chapel. It is not shown on the Popp map from the mid-19th century or the topographical map of 1867, but it is on the map from 1891. In the literature, it is dated around 1870. White-painted brick construction on a rectangular floor plan, covered by a steeply overhanging slate gable roof with an elaborate wooden bargeboard. Picked plinth. Round-arched niche with a barrel vault and a statue of Saint Cornelius, patron saint of farmers and cattle; he is also invoked for, among other things, epilepsy, cramps, and nerve pain. The chapel is flanked by lime trees with small chapels, dedicated to Saint Thérèse (left) and Our Lady of Lourdes (right). The Groenendaal Ponds are a historic system of five ponds in the Sonian Forest (Hoeilaart), dating from the 18th century and formerly owned by the Priory of Groenendaal. The area houses, among others, the Keizer Karelvijver pond and the Putselvijver pond, which is known as a fishing spot.

At the Koningsvijvers there is one of the few bald cypresses in the Sonian Forest. It has been planted on the edge of the grassy hollow as an eye-catcher. Inventory Immovable Heritage: Bald Cypress Koningsvijvers, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/304789 As you can see from the photos, the beaver also knows how to find the ponds.

On the IJse, which springs from the Zoniënwoud, lies a series of five ponds. Until the 18th century, these ponds belonged to the priory of Groenendaal. After the dissolution of the monastery in 1783, maintenance of the ponds dwindled, causing them to silt up in the course of the 19th century. King Leopold II (hence the name Koningsvijvers gradually emerged) who harbored grand plans for the spatial development of his capital Brussels, set his sights on the ponds on the edge of the Zoniënwoud near Hoeilaart. For the construction of the ponds east of Sint-Jansberglaan, the land had to be purchased first. The Belgian state acquired the grounds in 1903, while work on the ponds had already started in 1902! Despite the enormous earthmoving required to excavate the silted-up ponds, the contractor delivered the works as early as January 1903. The new ponds would henceforth be known to the public as the Koningsvijvers. The intervention ensured that not only the ponds, but also the surrounding environment was added back to the Zoniënwoud. Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Ponds of the priory Groenendaal, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/310121

Pijlerkapel, located in the back between the Lindevijver and the Putselvijver near the beginning of the so-called Processieweg, presumably from the second half of the 19th century. Damaged around 2004, subsequently restored and repainted. Little is known about the origin and establishment of the chapel. It is not shown on the Popp map from the mid-19th century or the topographical map of 1867, but it is on that of 1891. In the literature, it is dated around 1870. White-painted brick construction on a rectangular floor plan, covered by a slate gable roof that projects strongly at the front, with an elaborate wooden wind board. Picked plinth. Grilled round arch niche with a barrel vault and a statue of Saint Cornelius, patron saint of farmers and cattle; he is also invoked for epilepsy, cramps, and nerve pain, among other things. The chapel is flanked by lime trees with tree chapels, dedicated to Saint Teresa (left) and Our Lady of Lourdes (right). Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Saint Cornelius Chapel flanked by lime trees with tree chapels, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/302943

The Groenendaal racecourse was built in 1888-1889 on the initiative of Leopold II in the middle of the Sonian Forest, next to the road to Waterloo, and in 1892, as part of easy access, it received its own railway connection to Groenendaal station. To realize this racecourse, approximately 100 hectares of forest were cleared at the end of the 19th century. King Leopold II had his own box there, located between two metal grandstands for the public. After the First World War, this area was used for the dismantling of weapons and ammunition left behind in the Westhoek. German prisoners of war had to clear mines under the supervision of the Belgian army. During a fire and the subsequent explosions of ammunition on May 6, 1919, the hippodrome's grandstands and buildings were heavily damaged. After another explosion in November, the ammunition depot was completely dismantled in 1920. Two years later, the racecourse was restored and the grandstands were rebuilt. The royal box for Albert I was not rebuilt until 1924. Its appearance was completely different from the pre-war grandstand. When the current appearance came about is not entirely clear, although the current box is attributed to Albert I in the literature, see also monogram. Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Royal Box and remains of bookmaker's room, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/302991

Known for its distinctive shape with three protrusions that resemble the toes of a goose foot.

Narrow path, small stream, fallen trees...cozy

A solid wood bridge crosses the Horseshoe Pond, which is thus divided into two parts.