Hallerbos Explained

The Hallerbos (Dutch for Halle forest) is a forest in Belgium, covering an area of 552ha. It is mostly situated in the municipality of Halle, in Flemish Brabant and has also a little part in Walloon Brabant.

The forest is known in the region for its bluebell carpet which covers the forest floor for a few weeks each spring, attracting many visitors.^{[1] [2]}

Visitors can reach there either by their own vehicle or through public transport. For public transport, you can reach Halle railway station and get a bus to the entrance of the forest.^[3]

History

Historically, the Hallerbos was part of the Silva Carbonaria, along with other forests in the vicinity including the Sonian Forest and Meerdaal.^[4] As late as 1777, it was still connected by a woodland strip to the Sonian Forest.^[5] During World War I, most of the old trees were removed by the occupying German forces. Reforestation took place from 1930 to 1950.

See also

• Bluebell wood

Further reading

• Hallerbos on the website of Nature and Forest by the Flemish Government in Belgium: http://www.natuurenbos.be/nl-BE/Domeinen/Vlaams-Brabant/Hallerbos.aspx
• Official website with view of the flowers and forest: http://www.hallerbos.be/en/

50.704°N 4.288°W

Notes and References

1. Web site: The Blue Forest . 2008-07-30 . 2012-07-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120726023802/http://www.andrewsroe.com/?p=the.blue.forest . dead .
2. Web site: True blue . expatica . 2004-03-18 . 2008-07-30 .
3. Web site: By public transport - Hallerbos. Hallerbos. en-US. 2016-04-23.
4. Web site: Back in time . sonianforest.be . 2016-01-13 . 2018-08-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180807001712/http://www.sonianforest.be/about-the-forest/back-in-time/ . dead .
5. Web site: From Merovingians and Habsburgs over Dukes to national forest . 2016-01-13.