Park Forest and Hasselt Forest

From: Dorpstraat, 9570 Sint-Maria-Lierde, Belgium
To: Dorpstraat, 9570 Sint-Maria-Lierde, Belgium

Routing: Walking - nicest

The Parkbos and the Hasseltbos are recognized as European Natura 2000 areas. The entire Parkbos-Uilenbroek area and the adjoining Hasseltbos are part of the Flemish Ecological Network, Flemish Ardennes in South-East Flanders.

The Parkbos-Uilenbroek reserve consists of a mosaic of small landscape elements. On the slopes of the stream valleys unfolds a hilly landscape of grasslands, thickets, and meadows, bordered by a network of hedges and tree edges. The area forms a patchwork of forests, ponds, wet thickets, grass and hay meadows, orchards,... This small-scale and rolling bocage landscape is typical of the Flemish Ardennes. The reserve consists of two cores: Parkbos and Uilenbroek.

The Hasseltbos is also a nature reserve. This 25 ha large forest is located in the municipality of Geraardsbergen. It is situated on the valley slope of the Parkbosbeek. The nature reserve is located on the western slope of the 77 m high Gapenberg and lies in the hilly landscape of the Flemish Ardennes. The relief slopes quite steeply down to the Parkbosbeek, which forms the western boundary of the forest. The landscape consists of a mixture of forest, grasslands, and swamp forests.

This walking route in a lesser-known area of the Flemish Ardennes has no wayfinding signage. A detailed printout or a GPS (app) is better suited to find your way. I have tested it multiple times in winter, both in good weather and freezing weather (see photos). It is a varied route with both forest sections and wide views. There are quite a few breeders of special hoofed animals nearby. Hence the short detour in the Assestraat just before the Hasseltbos.