The canal, an ecological corridor in the heart of Brussels

On the occasion of this 17km bike ride, you will discover the origin and quality of the canal's water, the birds and fish that frequent it, exemplary developments in terms of biodiversity or green spaces along the waterway. The route mainly follows the Canal Regional Cycling Route (ICR CK). The metro station CERIA (Anderlecht) is close to the starting point, the train stations of Buda (Machelen) and Vilvoorde near the arrival point.

The canal was originally built to facilitate the transport of goods by ship, a function that remains preponderant. Besides that, the waterway in Brussels is also used for pleasure and sports boating (rowing, ...), passenger transport and tourist cruises. In addition to these functions, the role played by the canal on the ecological level has long remained unknown or even ignored. Stretching over a length of 102km, linking the Sambre to the Scheldt on a north-south axis, this blue flow plays a fundamental role as an ecological corridor, allowing many animal species to live and move there without obstacles, among them birds. The project 'The canal, an ecological corridor in the heart of Brussels' raises awareness and informs different audiences about this function, and encourages developments conducive to nature along the waterway (plantations, nest boxes, ...) in order to strengthen the ecological potential of the canal.

Learn more: https://www.canaldelasenne.be/fr