A half-day in the Sonian Forest, part of the UNESCO 'Primeval Beech Forests' listing since 2017, reached by metro. Walk from Herrmann-Debroux to the ponds and white sandstone church of Rouge-Cloitre, an Augustinian priory founded in 1367, then through the beeches to the ruined 14th-century Trois-Fontaines castle.
Best time: Weekend or Wednesday-Sunday afternoon (the Rouge-Cloitre art centre opens 13:00-17:00 during exhibitions); autumn for the beech colours
The route, stop by stop
- 1Herrmann-Debroux metro station
Terminus of metro 5; follow Chaussee de Wavre east. 15 min walk to the priory.
- 2Rouge-Cloître Priory and Ponds
Former Augustinian priory founded 1367 and abolished 1796; the art centre at Rue du Rouge-Cloitre 4 opens Wed-Sun 13:00-17:00 during exhibitions. 30-45 min.
- 3Rouge-Cloitre ponds and park
The ponds that once fed the monks' fish stock, at the forest edge. 20 min.
- 4Trois-Fontaines castle ruin
Chaussee de Wavre 2241: the ruin of a 14th-century castle of the Dukes of Brabant, now owned by the Region, on the edge of the forest. Loop back to Herrmann-Debroux through the forest. 15 min.
More walks in Brussels
- Historic core: Grand-Place to the Sablon
- Marolles: view, flea market and old cafes
- Food-grazing walk: Midi Market to Flagey fries
- Ixelles ponds, La Cambre Abbey and the Bois
- European Quarter to the Cinquantenaire
- Old Brussels cafes crawl
- Art Nouveau: Hotel Hannon to Horta's Hotel Solvay
- Comic-strip murals of the old centre
- North Brussels: Botanique to Schaerbeek town hall