A blaze of bluebells: Hallerbos welcomes visitors to its annual spring flower display

A sea of blue awaits the thousands of visitors descending on the wild bluebell carpet of Hallerbos over the next few weeks.

The annual Bluebell Festival is a natural blossoming of wild spring flowers that is running until 4 May this year.

Located in a woodland site near Halle on the outskirts of Brussels, the dazzling display features millions of bluebells, as well as daffodils, wood anemones and buttercups.

The town and the Flemish Agency for Nature and Forests are joining forces to manage the crowds wanting to experience the ephemeral sight. Forest rangers and volunteers will be on hand to guide visitors to ensure the protection of the delicate scented flowers.

During the brief annual flowering season, the colour of the bluebells changes from a rich dark blue when they are at their youngest and freshest, to a softer almost pale blue as they begin to fade away.

The 250-hectare woodland spectacle, located mainly in the province of Flemish Brabant, draws between 60,000 and 80,000 visitors every year.

Guidelines for visitors

To safeguard the site, forest rangers, police and stewards are present to ensure basic guidelines are followed. The key message for visitors is not to stray from marked trails to avoid trampling the fragile bluebells.

Nylon fence lines mark the boundaries of the paths and anyone caught walking on the floral carpet risks sanctions. Visitors are also asked not not pick any of the wildflowers, to keep dogs on a leash, use authorised parking areas, not to litter the site and not use drones to take photos or videos.

It is also recommended to enjoy the nature site in silence and to avoid disturbing the wildlife that lives in the woodlands.

Shuttle buses

The organising authorities recommend that people visit the site on foot, by bicycle or by public transport.

Free shuttles operate from the train station on 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 April and 1 May, from 9.00 to 19.00.

A free shuttle service for seniors over 65, pregnant women and people with reduced mobility is also available. For technical reasons, the bus is not suitable for wheelchair users. On busy days, bicycles can be borrowed free of charge from the cycle point at Hal train station.

Other spring floral displays

Alternatively, you can escape the crowds and visit one of these woodlands and green spaces also boasting bluebell and wildflower carpets.

West Flanders

Helleketenbos Poperinge

Rodeberg/Hellegatbos Westouter

Kemmelberg Kemmel

East Flanders

Koppenbergbos Oudenaarde/Maarkedal

Kluisbos Kluisbergen

Hotond-Scherpenberg Ronse

Muziekbos Ronse

Bos Ter Rijst Maarkedal

Brakelbos Brakel

Bosberg/Raspaillebos Geraardsbergen

Neigembos Ninove

Kravaalbos Meldert

Hainaut

Bois de Ghlin Mons

Bois de Silly between Ath and Enghien

Photos: ©Belga/Nicolas Maeterlinck; Hallerbos