Hallerbos

Forest in Belgium

The Hallerbos (Dutch for Halle forest) is a forest in Belgium, covering an area of 552 ha (1,360 acres). It is mostly situated in the municipality of Halle, in Flemish Brabant and has also a little part in Walloon Brabant.

The forest is known in the region for its bluebell carpet which covers the forest floor for a few weeks each spring, attracting many visitors.^[1]^[2]

Visitors can reach there either by their own vehicle or through public transport. For public transport, you can reach Halle railway station and get a bus to the entrance of the forest.^[3]

History

Historically, the Hallerbos was part of the Silva Carbonaria, along with other forests in the vicinity including the Sonian Forest and Meerdaal.^[4] As late as 1777, it was still connected by a woodland strip to the Sonian Forest.^[5] During World War I, most of the old trees were removed by the occupying German forces. Reforestation took place from 1930 to 1950.^[5]

Gallery

A walking path in October
A walking path in December
Anemone
Bluebell
Wild daffodil
Info panel of the Hallerbos recreational area forest

References

^ "The Blue Forest". Archived from the original on 2012-07-26. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
^ "True blue". expatica. 2004-03-18. Retrieved 2008-07-30.^{[permanent dead link]}
^ "By public transport - Hallerbos". Hallerbos. Retrieved 2016-04-23.
^ "Back in time". sonianforest.be. Archived from the original on 2018-08-07. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
^ ^a ^b "From Merovingians and Habsburgs over Dukes to national forest". Retrieved 2016-01-13.