The best walks and hikes in Flemish Brabant

The most visible of Dzia's works at the station. Look for the others too. For those who don't know Dzia: some time ago an article appeared in OKV (Openbaar Kunstbezit Vlaanderen) with a photo of a work here at the station and the following description of Dzia: "Dzia is also passionate about animals. He mainly depicts wild animals. Foxes and birds seem to be recurring favorites. His unique style creates a mosaic of colors that follows the contours and shapes of the animal. In his more recent work, he adds tonal shading within each defined area, enhancing a sense of volume. His work tries to give animals a place back in an urban environment. The locations of his murals are carefully chosen and he positions his colorful animals in such a way that a playful interaction with the surroundings is created." And you can find that 40-page dossier on street art in Flemish cities at https://www.okv.be/sites/default/files/2020-09/Street%20art%20in%20Vlaamse%20steden.pdf

A series of beautiful works by Dzia that have been there for a while, see: https://www.ringtv.be/cultuur-beeldende-kunst/graffitikunstenaar-smukt-treinstation-groenendaal-op The colourful birds are however a bit newer, see: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKKVbl6oZ5M/ And if you are in Groenendaal and like Dzia's work, also check out what he did with the ecoduct: https://www.werkenaandering.be/nl/lees-mee/nieuws/beestige-graffiti-kleurt-ecoduct-groenendaal For those who don't know Dzia: some time ago an article appeared in OKV (Openbaar Kunstbezit Vlaanderen) about street art in Flemish cities with a photo of a work that you find here at the station and the following description of Dzia: "Dzia is also passionate about animals. He mainly depicts wild animals. Foxes and birds seem to be recurring favourites. His unique style creates a mosaic of colours that follow the contours and shapes of the animal. In his more recent work, he adds tonal shading within each defined area, which enhances the sense of volume. His work tries to give animals a place in an urban environment again. The locations of his murals are carefully chosen and he positions his colourful animals in such a way that a playful interaction with the environment arises." And this 40-page dossier on street art in Flemish cities can be found at: https://www.okv.be/sites/default/files/2020-09/Street%20art%20in%20Vlaamse%20steden.pdf

The Groenendaal station and its associated shelter were built in the typical "national" station style between 1893 and 1896, in this case a rather luxurious execution due to the abundant use of natural stone and great attention to detail. This can possibly be explained by the great attraction of Groenendaal to the Brussels bourgeoisie as an ideal starting point for a forest walk combined with a restaurant visit, but also by the figure of Leopold II, who was reportedly directly involved in the design and was a regular visitor to the Groenendaal racecourse (1889). The Groenendaal station, near the Zoniënwoud, is the only station building on the Brussels-Luxembourg line in Flemish territory. This railway line was built between 1847 and 1857 by the "Grande Compagnie du Luxembourg", which also had the management concession. Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Groenendaal station with shelter, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/200186

Some former bunkers of the KW line have been repurposed as overwintering spots for bats. And this applies to this one too. The municipality of Haacht was and still is one of the most active in managing these and other remnants of the war. For those who follow the KW line in detail: you will also find it on the map with all constructions, at https://www.regionalelandschappen.be/kw-linie There it is described as type P 41 second-line defense.

The Haachts Broek, the Antitankgracht, and the Schorisgat together form the beautiful green belt of the Leibeek valley. Natuurpunt is restoring the patchwork of grasslands, roughlands, forests, fields, and marshes here. Where necessary, poplar forests are being converted into more natural mixed deciduous forests. Source with recommended walks and more at https://www.natuurpunt.be/natuurgebieden/antitankgracht-haachts-broek Extra information for enthusiasts about the alder swamp forest in the Haachts Broek and the birds in the area. "The Haachts Broek is the place to hear an oriole. In addition, in the Haachts Broek, there is a plot where hundreds of betony plants grow, which is a paradise for flower experts and butterfly species. Betony grows as well here as in few other places in Flanders." Source: https://www.birdingplaces.eu/nl/birdingplaces/haachts-broek

At the beginning of this section of boardwalk (coming from the bunker) there was a sign indicating that you needed high boots from there. The path does indeed run over a very wet section but I went on anyway. At the end there was a similar sign. And then I had to turn back. The regular path after the boardwalks was simply too wet for my hiking boots. You have been warned :)

This boardwalk runs from the Leibeek (if you walk north) to approximately the entrance to the grazing area, along which you can walk to the bunker used by bats. After that, there is another long boardwalk that runs through an even wetter area and which you often cannot pass (unless with high boots as indicated). Here it is usually not too bad, although thanks to the path you already cross some quite wet parts of the marsh.

Beautiful panorama over Gelrode and surroundings.