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 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.
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.
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
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.
- The topographical maps of the Sonian Forest can be found in the web shop of the National Geographical Institute.
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
- Brussels Tourist Office, Grand’Place, 1000 Brussels, www.visitbrussels.be
- Brussels Info Place (BIP), rue Royale2-4, 1000 Brussels, www.biponline.be
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
- Fondation Folon, chaussée de Bruxelles 1, 1310La Hulpe, www.fondationfolon.be
- 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
- Dru!f, huis van de tafeldruif: Druivenstreek (Grape-growing region) visitors centre—interactive, child-friendly and informative
Dru!f, huis van de tafeldruif, Waversesteenweg 2, 3090 Overijse, www.overijse.be/toerisme
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
- Tourism Centre of Tervuren, Markt 7A, bus 2, 3080 Tervuren, www.tervuren.be/vrijetijd
Waterloo
- Waterloo Tourist Office, chaussée de Bruxelles 2, 1410 Waterloo, www.waterloo-tourisme.com
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