Escape the city 10 Brussels – Villers-la-Ville 101km

This 'Escape The City' mountain bike route, developed by Trailgrip, starts in Brussels. You may not immediately associate Brussels with mountain biking, but just outside the bustling city center, there’s a green belt worth exploring.

The starting and ending point of this route is Brussels South Station. You escape the city's hustle and bustle through several green spaces near the Brussels city core, such as Duden Park, Abbey of Forest, Keyenbempt Woods, and Kriekenput Woods. In Brussels' green lung, the Sonian Forest, you also fill your own lungs with the necessary oxygen. This way, you continue to enjoy increasing tranquility and nature in places like Bois d’Ohain and Bois de Thy.

Suddenly, the impressive ruins of Villers-la-Ville Abbey appear. Many mountain bikers might wonder at this moment why you hear so little about this beautiful place. You can recharge with a delicious meal at Chalet De La Forêt, after which you’ll be sufficiently energized to continue the journey in a wooded area with many singletracks.

Through the underbrush, you can spot the vineyard of Château De Bousval, after which you dive back into the forests of De Sart Des Dames and De Palanthe. Further on, you discover the region of Château La Hulpe with its beautiful ponds and fun singletracks. After a good stretch of Sonian Forest and Ter Kamerenbos, this challenging route ends at Brussels South Station.

This demanding and challenging route is a test even for the more experienced mountain biker. If you prefer to make this journey a two-day adventure, then staying overnight near the ruins of Villers-la-Ville Abbey is highly recommended!

Thanks to the start and arrival at Brussels South Station, this route is very accessible. There’s a direct train connection to several places including Antwerp, Ghent, and Leuven. It is also a stop for international train connections such as Thalys and Eurostar. Taking your bike on the train is easy for an additional fee (€4 one way). At Brussels South Station, there is a large selection of rentable lockers to potentially leave dry clothing behind for after this adventure.

Last ridden by Trailgrip: December 19, 2021

About the 'Escape The City' mountain bike routes

'Escape The City' mountain bike routes are developed by Trailgrip and offer off-road experiences from the city. On the routes, you discover surprisingly beautiful surroundings and natural beauty connected via quiet roads. Where possible, the routes go over unpaved paths, car-free roads, or roads with limited car traffic. Take a moment to leave the hustle of the city behind you and recharge your batteries.

Sustainable and respectful adventure is an important pillar in the vision of Trailgrip. Therefore, our routes depart directly from cities or near train stations. This way, we aim to reduce the number of journeys by car.