The 3 most beautiful forests

The 3 most beautiful forests

Hours of walking and cycling pleasure in the green lung of East Flanders

With its congested motorways, abundant buildings and large population, Flanders is sometimes referred to as one of the busiest and noisiest regions. You won’t notice much of this when visiting the Flemish Ardennes. Peace still reigns here, and hikers and cyclists are in charge. With its numerous hills, idyllic views and green oases, the region is a dream for nature lovers. You don’t have to travel far to recharge your batteries.

With thousands of hectares of forests, the possibilities for a relaxing hike or bike ride in pristine nature are endless. And the amount of nature is only increasing. On 9 June 2020, it was announced that another 350 ha of forest will be added to the region. One of the aims is to create one large continuous forest stretching from Kluis Forest in Kluisbergen, over the Hotondberg, to Koppenberg Forest in Oudenaarde. In addition, the Muziekbos in Ronse will be expanded by 100 ha. So the Flemish Ardennes more than uphold their reputation as the green lung of East Flanders. In the following article, we list the three most beautiful forests in the region.

Kluis Forest: diverse natural landscape with a rich history

You’ll find the largest forest in the Flemish Ardennes in Kluisbergen. With 300 ha of dazzling nature, Kluis Forest guarantees hours of walking and/or cycling pleasure. Its location is also unique; it’s on the 141 m Kluisberg and the language border. Due to its vastness, you can discover the secrets of the area’s fauna and flora on various hiking trails in complete peace and quiet. The slopes also treat you to breathtaking views and resting places that look like the setting of a romantic film. Whether cycling, mountain biking, horse riding or just walking, the options for getting out and about in this green paradise are endless.

In Kluis Forest, you also dive into history. During World War I, the immense trees suffered some heavy blows. A large part of the forest was destroyed. Later, the mining of sulphur and ironstone had harmful effects. But now, a plan has been drawn up to give the forest a second life. Large oak and beech trees are deliberately being cut down to create open spaces in some spots. This gives other plant species more opportunities to develop.

You can learn even more about history if you visit Peetje and Meetje. That’s not granny and grandad keeping watch; they’re two large boulders with a story. They form the base of a dolmen, a sacrificial table of the Celtic druids. At the Vierschaar, a place delineated by four benches (‘scharen’), justice was administered during the reign of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. Four beech trees used to stand here, pointing in the direction of Berchem, Amougies, Orroir and Kwaremont. Lightning, disease and war took them, one by one, and the Vierschaar became a resting place in the forest. Another place of interest is the Tower. This is where Wild Beggars are said to have addressed the people in order to convert them to Protestantism. Later, the building was used as a lookout by the army of the French general Napoleon Bonaparte.

Are you looking for pure and unspoilt nature? Then Kluis Forest is also the right place for you. Part of the forest is a reservation. That means there is no human intervention here. If a tree is blown down, it’s left on the ground. That’s good news for insects because residing in the bark is comparable to a five-star hotel with a rich breakfast buffet for them. Birds, such as the marsh tit, crested tit and tawny owl, see these same insects as a delicious snack. With a bit of luck, you may also spot the rare fire salamander, which lives in the forest’s springs and pools.

Besides a varied and ecologically valuable landscape, Kluis Forest also distinguishes itself through its child-friendliness. There are several play areas where young and old can romp around for hours. After a pleasant walk, you can recover in one of the many restaurants and cafés around the forest. Some refreshing ice cream or a homemade pancake taste twice as good after walking a few kilometres, don’t they? A great way to explore Kluis Forest is via the Kluis Forest walking route.

You’ll find the largest forest in the Flemish Ardennes in Kluisbergen. With 300 ha of dazzling nature, Kluis Forest guarantees hours of walking and/or cycling pleasure. Its location is also unique; it’s on the 141 m Kluisberg and the language border. Due to its vastness, you can discover the secrets of the area’s fauna and flora on various hiking trails in complete peace and quiet. The slopes also treat you to breathtaking views and resting places that look like the setting of a romantic film. Whether cycling, mountain biking, horse riding or just walking, the options for getting out and about in this green paradise are endless.

In Kluis Forest, you also dive into history. During World War I, the immense trees suffered some heavy blows. A large part of the forest was destroyed. Later, the mining of sulphur and ironstone had harmful effects. But now, a plan has been drawn up to give the forest a second life. Large oak and beech trees are deliberately being cut down to create open spaces in some spots. This gives other plant species more opportunities to develop.

You can learn even more about history if you visit Peetje and Meetje. That’s not granny and grandad keeping watch; they’re two large boulders with a story. They form the base of a dolmen, a sacrificial table of the Celtic druids. At the Vierschaar, a place delineated by four benches (‘scharen’), justice was administered during the reign of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. Four beech trees used to stand here, pointing in the direction of Berchem, Amougies, Orroir and Kwaremont. Lightning, disease and war took them, one by one, and the Vierschaar became a resting place in the forest. Another place of interest is the Tower. This is where Wild Beggars are said to have addressed the people in order to convert them to Protestantism. Later, the building was used as a lookout by the army of the French general Napoleon Bonaparte.

Are you looking for pure and unspoilt nature? Then Kluis Forest is also the right place for you. Part of the forest is a reservation. That means there is no human intervention here. If a tree is blown down, it’s left on the ground. That’s good news for insects because residing in the bark is comparable to a five-star hotel with a rich breakfast buffet for them. Birds, such as the marsh tit, crested tit and tawny owl, see these same insects as a delicious snack. With a bit of luck, you may also spot the rare fire salamander, which lives in the forest’s springs and pools.

Besides a varied and ecologically valuable landscape, Kluis Forest also distinguishes itself through its child-friendliness. There are several play areas where young and old can romp around for hours. After a pleasant walk, you can recover in one of the many restaurants and cafés around the forest. Some refreshing ice cream or a homemade pancake taste twice as good after walking a few kilometres, don’t they? A great way to explore Kluis Forest is via the Kluis Forest walking route.

Muziekbos: colourful fairy-tale scenes

Forget Beethoven’s seventh symphony; you can enjoy the tunes of rustling leaves and singing birds in the Muziekbos in Ronse, which is more than 100 ha in size. Although the name might suggest music, sound systems are not hidden among the trees. ‘Muz’ is the Celtic word for ‘marsh’. Centuries ago, the ground here was quite marshy. And as you've read above, this forest will only get bigger in the future.

There are several options for exploring the Muziekbos in all its glory. The Muziekbos walking route, a varied 11 km hike, guides you past all the hidden spots. If you’re looking for something more challenging, the Flemish Ardennes Challenge is most certainly something for you. At 22.6 km, it’s only suitable for experienced hikers. You can also put together your own walk via the Getuigenheuvels Flemish Ardennes walking network. Several playgrounds are scattered around the area for kids.

For Instagram-lovers, a snapshot of the Muziekbos is a bonus for their timeline. You can take beautiful photos here, especially in April and May. That’s when the bluebells are in bloom, giving the forest a colourful blue carpet. Bluebells are not the only flower that grabs attention here. Periwinkle and wild garlic also grow here in large numbers. You can even eat the wild garlic, as if you were in a colourful fairy tale.

That enchanting feeling will only intensify when you reach the Geuzentoren. M. Scribe, who once owned this large forest, planted it here following an English trend. He used it as a lookout tower to enjoy the surrounding landscapes. By the way, did you know that this is where the Flemish Ardennes got their name? When the poet Omer Wattez climbed the Geuzentoren, he was deeply impressed by the magnificent view from the top. He shouted, ‘But these are the Flemish Ardennes!’ to his colleague Pol De Mont. And the name stuck. The structure became world-famous in 2013 thanks to the filming of the BBC series ‘The White Queen’. If you want to climb the wooden spiral staircase, you can request a guided tour or opt for the storytelling walk. A guide will cost you €60, and groups can accommodate 25 people.

Muziekbos: colourful fairy-tale scenes

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Forget Beethoven’s seventh symphony; you can enjoy the tunes of rustling leaves and singing birds in the Muziekbos in Ronse, which is more than 100 ha in size. Although the name might suggest music, sound systems are not hidden among the trees. ‘Muz’ is the Celtic word for ‘marsh’. Centuries ago, the ground here was quite marshy. And as you've read above, this forest will only get bigger in the future.

There are several options for exploring the Muziekbos in all its glory. The Muziekbos walking route, a varied 11 km hike, guides you past all the hidden spots. If you’re looking for something more challenging, the Flemish Ardennes Challenge is most certainly something for you. At 22.6 km, it’s only suitable for experienced hikers. You can also put together your own walk via the Getuigenheuvels Flemish Ardennes walking network. Several playgrounds are scattered around the area for kids.

For Instagram-lovers, a snapshot of the Muziekbos is a bonus for their timeline. You can take beautiful photos here, especially in April and May. That’s when the bluebells are in bloom, giving the forest a colourful blue carpet. Bluebells are not the only flower that grabs attention here. Periwinkle and wild garlic also grow here in large numbers. You can even eat the wild garlic, as if you were in a colourful fairy tale.

That enchanting feeling will only intensify when you reach the Geuzentoren. M. Scribe, who once owned this large forest, planted it here following an English trend. He used it as a lookout tower to enjoy the surrounding landscapes. By the way, did you know that this is where the Flemish Ardennes got their name? When the poet Omer Wattez climbed the Geuzentoren, he was deeply impressed by the magnificent view from the top. He shouted, ‘But these are the Flemish Ardennes!’ to his colleague Pol De Mont. And the name stuck. The structure became world-famous in 2013 thanks to the filming of the BBC series ‘The White Queen’. If you want to climb the wooden spiral staircase, you can request a guided tour or opt for the storytelling walk. A guide will cost you €60, and groups can accommodate 25 people.

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Brakel Forest: splashing water on a decapitated hill

The Modderode – or Mont de Rhode, as it’s better known – is a decapitated hill in Brakel. How does one decapitate a hill? Well, the top was excavated in the past to extract sand. The quarry is still visible, but it’s now filled with lush flowers and plants. The hill may be decapitated, but that does not mean you don’t need to wear sturdy hiking boots. There are some steep inclines. Luckily, the tough bits you have to conquer from time to time give you a satisfied feeling afterwards. There are plenty of hikes to choose from. With its centuries-old beech trees, Brakel Forest forms a natural paradise of no less than 200 ha together with Bos ter Rijst and Pottelberg Forest. Daffodils, wood anemones and Salomon’s seal grow here in spring in addition to the blue-purple bluebells. And if you look carefully, you might find some blueberries.

You can explore the forest on one of the many walking routes that have been mapped out here. You can choose between short and long loops. Since beech trees do not let much sunlight through due to their dense crown, ground plants are scarce here. But the plants that do take hold are more than worth it. Do you enjoy spotting animals? You might see an elegant doe or a cute squirrel if you are quiet. They have settled here in abundance. They quench their thirst in one of the many springs that flow into the Sassegembeek. When you hear the splashing water on your walk, you feel like you’re part of a breathtaking nature documentary.

Discover Brakel Forest! 

The forests mentioned above are just the tip of the iceberg. Every municipality has a place where you can enjoy walking. Do you feel like taking a break amidst all this pristine nature? The region has a variety of accommodations surrounded by nature, from holiday farms for the family to romantic B&Bs and cosy campsites. There are also several unique gems. You can spend the night in a safari tent or watch the stars from a wooden cabin. Book your stay now and become one with nature. Want to bet that you’ll be able to take on the world again after your holiday?