The best MTB trails around Watermael-Boitsfort - Bosvoorde

This road is called Hakenstakendreef today and connects the current Groenendaal station with the tunnel under Sint-Jansberglaan, which leads you to the former racecourse (and the restored Royal Box). The Hakenstakendreef is incidentally mentioned in a building application as the "chemin d'accès" (access road) that led to the now-nonexistent Groenendaal-Hippodroom station. See https://hoeilaart.weleer.be/renbaan-groenendaal/2904 At the beginning of the avenue, you will find information boards about the forest; at the end, by the tunnel, is part of the former racecourse car park where this station once stood, and where racehorses, as well as people, were brought by train. You are therefore walking in a once very popular area, as at its peak, around fifty horse races were organized in Groenendaal (before the First World War). But you won't see much more than the gravel road and trees (until you reach the remains of the car park and the tunnel).

The Groenendaal racecourse was built in 1888-1889 on the initiative of Leopold II in the middle of the Sonian Forest, next to the road to Waterloo. In 1892, it was given its own rail connection to Groenendaal station as part of a smooth development. To realize this racecourse, about 100 hectares of forest were cleared at the end of the 19th century. King Leopold II had his own box, located between two metal grandstands for the public. After the First World War, this area was used for the dismantling of weapons and ammunition left behind in the Westhoek. German prisoners of war had to clear mines under the supervision of the Belgian army. A fire and subsequent explosions of ammunition on May 6, 1919, heavily damaged the grandstands and buildings of the hippodrome. After another explosion in November, the ammunition depot was completely dismantled in 1920. Two years later, the racecourse was restored and the grandstands were rebuilt. The royal box for Albert I was only rebuilt in 1924. Its appearance was completely different from the pre-war grandstand. When the current appearance came about is not entirely clear, although the current box is attributed to Albert I in the literature, see also monogram. Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Royal Box and remains of bookmaker's office, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/302991

Open grassy area with some benches, ideal for a break on dry days.

A solid wood bridge crosses the Horseshoe Pond, which is thus divided into two parts.

The Bois de la Cambre (French: Ter Kamerenbos) is a forest and park in the Belgian capital of Brussels. It covers approximately 122 hectares and forms a natural extension of the Sonian Forest, which extends deep into the city in the southeast of Brussels. The park is accessible from the center of Brussels via Avenue Louise and is part of the southern extension of Brussels. The Bois de la Cambre consists of two large, somewhat oval sections. The northern section is the most wooded and features several 19th-century buildings. The southern section has a central 6-hectare artificial pond with a wooded island.

I was pleasantly surprised here: a former road through the forest is now a paradise for cyclists and pedestrians. I can't imagine cars there.👍🙏😜🚴

beautiful segment

or a nice technical descent on dry land!