Birthday
HydrangeasEvery spring a small miracle happens in a beech forest near Brussels: the ground between silvery trunks is covered by an unbroken blue-violet carpet of flowers. This is Hallerbos, Belgium's "blue forest" and one of Europe's most photogenic natural sights. Here's what the flowers are, when to go, how to get there and how to behave in the forest so the magic survives.
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What is Hallerbos?
Hallerbos (Bois de Hal in French) is a forest of about 550 hectares near the town of Halle in Flemish Brabant, around 20 km south of Brussels. For most of the year it's an ordinary beech wood with walking and cycling trails. But for a few weeks in spring it becomes one of the country's top attractions.
The forest has a turbulent history: most of its trees were felled during the First World War. It was replanted in the 1930s–1950s, mainly with beech — the straight, pale trunks create today's famous "cathedral" effect. The flowers, however, were here long before the new trees: a dense carpet of spring bulbs is a sign of ancient woodland.
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Which flowers make the forest blue?
Hallerbos's blue carpet isn't made of garden hyacinths or campanulas, as is often said, but of common bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), sometimes called wild hyacinths. This bulb of Western Europe's Atlantic woodlands has nodding violet-blue bells on one side of the stem and a delicate scent.
Bluebells grow very slowly: it takes several years from seed to flower, and plants whose leaves are trampled can be weakened for years. That's why they're strictly protected in Hallerbos, as in Britain, which is home to a large share of the world's bluebells.
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When to visit Hallerbos
Peak bloom usually runs from mid-April to early May, but exact dates depend on the weather: a warm spring brings it forward, a cold one delays it. The forest's official website posts the current state of the bloom — check it before you go. The most beautiful moment is when the flowers are open and the beeches have just unfurled their pale green leaves, letting sunlight filter through and light up the blue carpet.
How to get there
- By train and bus. Frequent trains run from Brussels to Halle (about 15–20 minutes). During the bloom a shuttle bus usually runs from the station to the forest at weekends — see the Hallerbos website for times.
- By bus to Dworp. From Brussels you can take a bus to Dworp and walk about 3 km.
- By car. Car parks are small and fill up quickly on peak weekends, so arrive early or come on a weekday.
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Forest etiquette
- Stay on the paths. Every step on the carpet damages bluebell leaves, and the plants take years to recover.
- Don't pick flowers or dig up bulbs — the forest is protected.
- Keep dogs on a lead and take your litter home.
- Don't lie in the flowers for photos — the best shots are taken from the path at ground level or from a little height.
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Photography tips
The most atmospheric shots come early in the morning, when light mist hangs between the trees, and in the soft golden light of evening. At midday the light is harsh and crowds peak. Come on a weekday, bring a tripod for morning shots and try different angles: wide views of rows of trunks and close-ups of individual bells.
If a trip to Belgium is still a plan, enjoy spring blooms closer to home: in Ukraine, scillas and other early flowers carpet deciduous woods and parks, and every spring Kyiv's magnolia bloom draws crowds of admirers. For more inspiration, see our guide to the world's spectacular flower fields and our article on early spring flowers.
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Hallerbos in other seasons
The forest is worth visiting outside the bloom too: in summer it's cool under the beeches, in autumn the leaves turn gold and copper, and its many trails are great for walking, cycling and horse riding. Nearby is Halle's historic centre with the Basilica of St Martin.
FAQ
When does Belgium's blue forest bloom?
Usually from mid-April to early May; exact dates depend on the weather, so check the Hallerbos website.
What flowers grow in Hallerbos?
Common bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), a bulb of Western European woodlands.
Is there an entrance fee?
Entry to the forest is free; parking and the shuttle may be charged.
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Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
