Walking

This map shows the walking trail network in the Sonian Forest. The yellow lines indicate the walking paths; the circles are the points of departure in the forest.

Walking trail network in the Sonian Forest
download the map here

 

At RouteYou, you will find numerous mapped out and digitized walks through the Sonian Forest which you can download to your smartphone.

Walking with a guide

A great number of associations organise guided walks in the Sonian Forest. Click on Agenda and allow yourself to be carried along by the stories about the plants and animals in the forest.

Walking for persons with disabilities

On this map, you can find the car parks that are accessible to wheelchairs. The walking paths in and between the gateways are also wheelchair accessible.

Car parks in the Sonian Forest accessible to wheelchairs
download the map here

In the Arboretum of Groenendael, a special walking path has been laid out for the blind and visually impaired, including signs in Braille.

Walking with the dog

On this map, you will find the dog zones within the Sonian Forest. Dogs are allowed to run freely within the demarcated zones. In the dog zones, the pet owners are always responsible for their own dogs. In the rest of the Sonian Forest, dogs must always remain on the leash.

Honden_V2_WEB
download the map here

Nordic walking

You have already probably seen them in the forest: the walkers with two poles (ski poles), like lost skiers looking for the snow. Nordic walking blew over from Finland. The sport originated there in the 1930s as a form of summer training for Finnish top skiers.  Nordic walkers use more of their entire body and  improve their physical condition. They  make gains in strength, flexibility and coordination, without overloading the joints.

More info:

Nordic Fitness Center Brussels

Zoniën Athletics Team

Forest Gym

 

Walking maps and walking routes

Find your way in the Sonian Forest with these walking maps and walking routes:

  • The map with the main recreational routes in the Sonian Forest is available free-of-charge in the info points in and around the Sonian Forest.
  • « Itinéraires en Forêt de Soignes et dans ses alentours » (Routes through the Sonian Forest and its Surroundings): in five walking and cycling routes, this guide leads you through the Sonian Forest. Published by the Royal Belgian Geographical Society (Société Royale Belge de Géographie (SRBG)). Order these guides via www.srbg.be.

Info points in and around the Sonian Forest

Looking for  walking maps or walking routes in the Sonian Forest? You can find them in these info points (among other places):

Auderghem

  • Town Hall of Auderghem, rue Emile Idiers 12, 1160 Auderghem
  • Info Centre Sonian Forest, Rouge-Cloître Abbey, rue du Rouge-Cloître 4, 1160 Auderghem

Brussels

  • Pro Velo, The Cycle House, rue de Londres 15, 1050 Brussels

Hoeilaart

  • Bosmuseum Jan Van Ruusbroec (Forest Museum Jan Van Ruusbroec), Duboislaan 6, 1560 Hoeilaart
  • Tourism and Cultural Centre Hoeilaart, GC Felix Sohie, Gemeenteplein 39, 1560 Hoeilaart, www.hoeilaart.be

La Hulpe

  • Town Hall of La Hulpe, rue des Combattants 59, 1310 La Hulpe

Overijse

  • De Woudpoort: ice-cream parlour, bicycle rentals and Sonian Forest info point
    De Woudpoort, Brusselsesteenweg 700, 3090 Jezus-Eik

Sint-Genesius-Rode

  • Gemeenschapscentrum (Community Centre) De Boesdaalhoeve, Hoevestraat 67, 1640 Sint-Genesius-Rode, www.deboesdaalhoeve.be

Tervuren

  • Het Spaans Huis: bistro, shop featuring regional products , exhibition space and Sonian Forest info point
    Het Spaans Huis, Tervuren Park (between the Gordaal Pond and the Molen Pond, on the perimeter of the forest), 3080 Tervuren

Waterloo

Watermael-Boitsfort

  • Gemeenschapscentrum (Community Centre) WaBo, avenue Deleur 39-43, 1170 Watermael-Boitsfort
  • Town  Hall of Watermael-Boitsfort, place Antoine Gilson 1, 1170 Watermael-Boitsfort

Woluwe-Saint-Pierre

  • Town Hall of Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, avenue Charles Thielemans 93, 1150 Brussels