Enjoy the summer in Flemish Brabant with these family-friendly hikes and accommodation options for children!
Flemish Brabant, a region in Belgium, offers a unique blend of urban and natural walks that cater to families seeking adventure and cultural experiences. Here are some key routes and attractions that you should not miss.
Leuven City Walks
Leuven, a vibrant student city, is home to numerous family-friendly walks. Highlights include the Gothic town hall, Sint-Pieters church and treasury, and the Unesco-listed Béguinage complex dating back to the 13th century. The city also boasts Sint Donatus park, featuring lakes, follies, and an amphitheater, as well as the green surroundings along the Dijlepad walk, a picturesque path suitable for families [1].
Explore Belgium’s oldest botanical garden and the lush Park Keizersberg. Near Leuven, the Park Arenbergkasteel and Abdij van Park (housing the PARCUM religious art museum) offer additional cultural and natural experiences. For children, the Kessel-Lo domain features playgrounds and lakes for outdoor fun [1].
Station-to-Station Nature Walks (GR Routes)
Flemish Brabant offers several day walks along the official long-distance GR walking routes, ranging from 18 to 27 km. These routes pass by abbeys, breweries, castles, nature reserves, and visitor centers. The routes start and end at train stations, enabling easy return by public transport and are suitable for all ages. They offer a combination of nature, culture, and light adventure ideal for families [3].
Accommodations
Leuven and surrounding towns provide a wide range of family-friendly lodging options, from hotels near the city center to countryside guesthouses close to walking routes and parks. Kessel-Lo and areas near Abbey Park are particularly convenient for families planning walks and recreational activities.
Notable Walks
- Zoet Water Walk: This 4.4 kilometer-long walk, starting from the CC Roosenberg car park, explores five freshwater ponds and their surroundings, including the baroque Our Lady of Steenberg Chapel and the natural spring called the Minnebron [2]. The walk concludes at a 4 hectare-large playground to help tired kids relax.
- Bertembos Walk: This 9 kilometer-long walk through the nature reserve Koeheide and sunken roads typical of the region includes the Eikenbos oak forest, unchanged since the middle ages, and the play meadow 't Vossenhol offering natural play elements for children [2].
- Hippo-Dream Walk: This 4.4 kilometers long walk takes place in the Sonian Forest, with the Kasteel van Groenendaal, Duboislaan 1, 1560 Hoeilaart, serving as the starting point. The walk includes the Groenendaal Arboretum and ends at B&B Hippo-Dream, a Belle Epoque villa [2].
- Gete River Valley Adventure Path: This 3.9 kilometers long path follows the meandering Gete River, with Stationsplein, 3350 Drieslinter, serving as its location. The path offers various attractions along the way [2].
- Webbekoms Broek Nature Reserve: This reserve offers three different-sized walking tours, each with captivating landscapes and a real-life canon doubling as a picnic station. The Visitor Center at Webbekoms Broek offers additional fun for kids and adults alike [2].
Unique Accommodations
- Dutje In De Wei offers a transformed cattle wagon for accommodation, fitting up to four people.
- The big white cotton tent at Cowcooning is a comfortable camping option located 15 kilometers from Leuven and 20 kilometers from the heart of Brussels.
- The Duckwing organic garden offers a four-person teepee for a glamping experience after the Zoet Water Walk.
In summary, families visiting Flemish Brabant can enjoy a blend of cultural city strolls with historic architecture and green parks in Leuven, combined with nature-rich, accessible long-distance walks through the countryside, with practical transport links and child-friendly attractions along the way [1][3].
[1] Visit Flanders
[2] Walking in Flanders
[3] GR Routes
- To immerse in the rich history and beauty of Leuven, families can explore the family-friendly walks, stroll through the Gothic town hall, admire the Béguinage complex from the 13th century, and unwind at Sint Donatus park.
- For a unique accommodation experience, consider staying in a transformed cattle wagon at Dutje In De Wei, a comfortable camping option at Cowcooning, or the four-person teepee available at the Duckwing organic garden.
- If you prefer to combine nature, culture, and light adventure, try the GR Routes' day walks, which offer a blend of abbeys, castles, and nature reserves, starting and ending at train stations for easy access.
- To experience a real-life canon and captivating landscapes, consider visiting the Webbekoms Broek Nature Reserve, offering three different-sized walking tours with a picnic station and a visitor center for added fun.
- An array of local experiences await families touring Flemish Brabant, where they can explore the city's vibrant lifestyle, luxury accommodations, and eco-friendly glamping options while encountering adventure, nature, and the rich local culture.
