Five awesome kids’ walks in the Flemish Brabant province, plus five great places to stay

Every walk in Flemish Brabant is an adventure thanks to some great kid-friendly routes: the ones with woods to run wild in, unique picnic spots and plastic-free, nature-friendly play equipment. And why not stick around a little longer? Book an overnight stay and treat your kiddos to unforgettable dreams.

Here are our five walking tips!

The Zoet Water Walk

The walk

4.5 km – that's what it takes to explore Zoet Water’s five freshwater ponds. Along the way, you'll catch a glimpse of the gorgeous baroque Our Lady of Steenbergen Chapel, while The Minnebron, a natural spring, cheerfully burbles nearby. Legend has it that anyone who drinks from the spring will find their true love!

Pint-sized fun

A whopping four-hectare-large playground, woods to run wild in and delicious drinking water that springs straight from the ground... How cool is that?

Your stay

Nothing quite says fun like sleeping in a tent, right? Especially if it's a giant four-person teepee tent in the Duckwing organic garden, close to the IJse and the prettiest walking and bike routes.

Your adventure

The Zoet Water Recreation Park, CC Roosenberg Car Park, Maurits Noëstraat, 3050 Oud-Heverlee: that’s where your adventure begins and ends. Follow the nodes: 17 - 16 - 15 - 14 - 12 - 13 - 14 – 17.

Bertembos Walk (Bertemboswandeling | Visit Vlaams-Brabant)

The walk
At 9 kilometres, the Bertembos Walk is a bit of a challenge with kids but well worth it. Take a break at the large play meadow ’t Vossenhol, the perfect picnic and chill-out spot. You’ll have a view of the Eikenbos, a historic oak forest that hasn’t changed in shape or size since the Middle Ages.

Pint-sized fun
The play forest ’t Vossenhol has no classic playground structures but offers natural play elements where children can let their imagination run wild. Climb, crawl, and swing your way through the woods!

Your stay
Fancy a night in nature with all the comforts? This luxury glamping tent offers a unique getaway. It’s a little further out, but the views are well worth the detour. https://en.cowcooning.com/

Your adventure
Start and end your adventure at Parking Speelbos ’t Vossenhol, Heerbaan 1, 3060 Kortenberg. The route is marked with hexagonal signposts bearing the trail name.

Webbekoms Broek Walk-Red Route

The walk

The Webbekoms Broek Nature Reserve is where you'll find the captivating flood plains of the Demer and Velpe Rivers, on the outskirts of Diest. Plus, you get to explore the city's historic ramparts and stroll through an eclectic patchwork of flower-strewn meadows, reed beds and willow groves. 

Pint-sized fun

How about a picnic in a real canon? Check it off your bucket list here! Visit the Webbekoms Broek Visitor Centre for fun ecosystem and natural habitat facts. Tired of walking? Say hello to the best play time at the nearby Halve Maan Provincial Domain.

Your stay

Be a real adventurer and stay in one of the Halve Maan Provincial Domain’s simple wilderness cabins. Every cabin accommodates up to four people.

Your adventure

Your adventure begins and ends at the Webbekoms Broek Visitor Centre at Omer Vanaudenhovenlaan 48, 3290 Diest. The red Webbekoms Broek Walk (9 km) is best followed using these nodes: 9 – 91 – 91 – 92 – 901 – 93 – 95 – 272 – 9.

The Gete River Valley Adventure Path

The walk

With the river (pictured, main image) as your trusty guide, dive into the mysterious Grote Gete River Valley Nature Reserve for a walk to remember (3.7 km).

Pint-sized fun

Scamper through the play forest like a dormouse; wobble along on the Golden Geet suspension bridge; climb the wooden Gete Dragon and balance above the pond. So many fun stops along the way!

Your stay

Spend the night in a charming, converted cattle car in the prettiest countryside pasture in Linter and wake up to nature's beauty. Dutje in de wei [A Nap in the Pasture] accommodates two adults and two children.

Your adventure

Set out and come home via the Stationsplein in Drieslinter. Follow the nodes: 1 - 140 - 19 - 101 - 138 - 10 - 1.

The Hippo-Droom Walk

The walk

Virtual walking nodes guide you through the age-old Sonian Forest, past the Groenendaal Arboretum and across the former racecourse (4.4 km).

Pint-sized fun

Enjoy the coolest forest play areas, a playground, bird-watching huts, cosy picnic spots and more. Cheering, yelling and loud laughter are all allowed. In fact, it's a must!

Your stay

The Hippo-Droom B&B in Hoeilaart is a restored villa in the heart of the Sonian Forest. Every room has a cosy, contemporary design subtly highlighting the region's natural charms.

Your adventure

Set out and head home via Hoeilaart’s Groenendaal Castle.The nodes of this walk are not signposted. Follow the route with the walking node app, which can be downloaded via Wandelapp | Visit Vlaams-Brabant.

Photos: ©Lander Loeckx