Brussels/Sonian Forest

The Sonian Forest to the southeast of Brussels is a vast area of pristine nature dominated by beech and oak trees. It is a paradise for outdoor activities, and a much-needed leisure area where citizens of the crowded city can relax and regain their breath. The forest hides numerous attractions worth discovering, including some of the oldest archaeological remains in Belgium, and is protected as a. To the northwest, the forest stretches into the city as the Ter Kameren Park, much of which is of artificial nature.

Get in
The Ter Kameren Park is easily reachable from the centre of the city through the Louise Avenue public transport corridor, and the northern part of the Sonian Forest is fairly easily accessible by tram. The areas close to Watermaal-Bosvoorde give the best impression of what the authentic Sonian Forest looks like.

To the south and west, the Sonian Forest borders Flanders, and there are no public transport stations that provide an entry point from within Brussels. If you want to penetrate the heart of the Sonian Forest from the south rather than take the tourist approach from Ter Kameren Park or the north, consider Tervuren, Overijse, or Hoeilaart.

By train
The Ter Kameren Park to the north-east is served by 2 railway stations, the and the. Alternatively, station on the same line as Boondael Station allows entry into Ter Kameren Park from the west. All stations are serviced by S-train and Boondael is also a stop for IC trains.

By tram
The Ter Kameren Park can be reached by trams and  to the north-west, and tram  to the west with terminus station. The north side of the Sonian Forest and its neighboring parks in Bosvoorde can be reached by tram (get off at Bosvoorde Station or ). The east side of the Sonian Forest is better accessible through Tervuren, take tram and get off at.

By bus
Bus line serves Ter Kameren Bos to the northwest,  and line  traverses it at.

By bicycle
Most of the Sonian Forest is not accessible by motorized vehicles, and renting a mountain bike would be a good idea if you plan to explore some of the off-the-beaten-track parts to the south of the Forest, near the border with Flanders. Most of the forest is quite hilly, so expect occasional steep climbs!

There are several Villo stations near the Ter Kameren Park and the Sonian Forest itself, most notably and.

On foot
Walking is a good alternative to cycling, but it will only allow you to explore small parts of the forest. Most paths are unpaved but covered with dolomite, making them suitable for walking even when it's raining. Proper walking shoes are nonetheless recommendable. In the Ter Kameren Park, there is a where you can take cover if you're caught by surprise by Belgium's unpredictable weather.

By horse
The forest has ample facilities for horse riding, making exploration of the forest by horse very feasible. The would be a good starting point to get yourself equipped.

See
The most obvious attraction is the forest itself of course, with many idyllic locations to discover.

Do

 * Football: Union SG play soccer in First Division A, the country's top tier. Their home ground is Stade Joseph Marien, capacity 9400.
 * Football: Union SG play soccer in First Division A, the country's top tier. Their home ground is Stade Joseph Marien, capacity 9400.
 * Football: Union SG play soccer in First Division A, the country's top tier. Their home ground is Stade Joseph Marien, capacity 9400.

Buy
There are no shops in the Ter Kameren Park or the Sonian Forest, so you'll need to bring all food and drinks with you. A decent backpack is highly recommended to carry adequate protection against the weather as well — a waterproof rain coat in particular.

Sleep
There are no hotels or guesthouses in the Sonian Forest or the Ter Kameren Park, but you might be able to find a bed in the nearby Woluwe or South districts.

Camping is not allowed anywhere in the Ter Kameren Park or the Sonian Forest, and you risk getting fined if you set up a tent. Although the rule is pretty strictly enforced in the Ter Kameren Park due to its popularity, it is usually not enforced deeper in the Sonian Forest where patrols are few and far between. As long as you break up your tent in the morning, do not make fire and leave no trace, it is unlikely you'll run into trouble camping in the Sonian Forest.

Stay safe
The last bears and wolves were shot long ago, so there are no large animals left that could pose any threat. Wild boars can be aggressive, particularly when protecting their offspring, but encounters are extremely rare.

The forest is larger than it looks though, and stretches out quite far to the south into Flanders. Without a map and compass, it is easy to get lost and accidentally venture outside the borders of Brussels. Always take a map and compass along!

When storms are announced, the forest is off-limits due to the risk of falling branches and trees.

The Sonian Forest is scarred by the N275, R0 and E411 highways, brutally breaking through the pristine landscape. These highways are among the busiest around the city, particularly around rush hour, and should not be crossed under any condition. There are several pedestrian tunnels that enable crossing from one side to the other.

Connect
There are no internet cafés or snail mail facilities in the Ter Kameren Park or the Sonian Forest, so don't count on finding or sending postcards.

There is good mobile coverage in most of the Sonian Forest (GPRS) and the Ter Kameren Park even enjoys WCDMA connectivity which allows mobile data connections. In general though it's best to not count on internet availability, and download the OpenStreetMap dataset for the district in advance before venturing into the Forest. Exploring the Sonian Forest with an offline map such as OpenStreetMap will make the experience a lot more pleasant.

Go next
The Flemish town of Tervuren borders the Sonian Forest to the east, and Kraainem is easily reachable to the north-east.