the Red Monastery of the Sonian Forest

A second walk tailored for our little steps. Once again on the edge of the beautiful Sonian Forest, with slightly more kilometers than the previous walk of 3km. This time not starting from the Flemish Brabant Hoeilaart, but starting from the Brussels Oudergem with a 5-kilometer plotted adventure.

We first explore the border between Oudergem and the Flemish Brabant Tervuren towards two springs. First, we take a boardwalk towards the Keizersbron; a spring that was enjoyed 'by himself' during the time of Emperor Charles V, during his many hunting parties here in the Sonian Forest. Further along, you can find the Bosgeestbron, with the stone monument from 1936 for the poet and painter - René Stevens.

We take some narrow paths through this beautiful forest before heading back down to the ponds of the prior's 'Rood Klooster'. A pier or platform above one of the ponds marks the recognition point for the last 2 kilometers, which will largely run over the old domains of this 14th-century Augustinian priory.

Its origins date back to 1367 and it was largely destroyed in 1789, after being claimed by the French and the abolition of most monasteries in the Southern Netherlands (now Belgium). Rebuilding started in 1997 and since 2007 it has been largely restored to its former glory and made accessible to the public.

Currently, these properties are managed by the Brussels-Capital Region, and besides the beautifully renovated buildings, you can also seek some adventure. The first adventure after the priory is the pirate ship 'The Red Kloster', in the form of a fun playground with climbing equipment and slides. Further on, you can start from the lookout tower on a adventure trail of about a hundred meters, which ends at a water pool with crocodiles.

Before we head down to the old priory farm with 'children's farm', the last large playground with giant chair and cable car can still delight the little ones' hearts, to conclude this fun walk of nearly 5km.