Ecotrail of Brussels (83km)

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About 82.5 km from Watermael-Boitsfort (departure south of Brussels: chalet Robinson in the Bois de la Cambre at 12:00).
Then twice through the Sonian Forest -40km- via the Lion of Waterloo).
Then along approximately the Senne valley and some Brussels parks towards the southern bolde in the Atomium (north of Brussels).

According to Zatopek magazine (first issue of this ultra-trail):
Difficulty: Experienced
distance 81.8km
Elevation gain: 991 m
Descent : 1047 m
Maximum altitude: 144 m
6 versions: 80km / 80kmRBB / 18km / 18DUO / 9km / Walking
When at least 2/3 of the ultratrail is "soft-ground" (information received from the Ecotrail feedback team)

According to RouteYou (taking into account Topomap Belgium and OpenCycleMap):
distance 83.1km
Elevation gain: 645 m
Descent : 683 m
Given the height of the hump from which stands the Waterloo Lion (https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leeuw_van_Waterloo ) -40m hooog- and the lowest lateral sphere of the Atomium (https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomium ) - 45 m-. seems the total height of about 770meters.
The number of "soft-ground" kilometers here is converted 55km, of which 28km is not soft ground (excellent ratio in and around the environment of the big city)

Overall time limit for this 83 km ultra-trail:
Departure: 12h00min Robinson chalet Bois de la Cambre.
At the latest: at 24h30min at the Atomium of Laeken. (maximum duration 12h30min)
distance (Zatopek) 81.8 km;
Minimum ultra-trail speed: 6.7km/h or pace 09:03min/km

During this ultratrail, the following sites are visited:
1/ The EAT exhibition
The starting signal for long distances is given in the middle of the EAT festival, where visitors can get acquainted with the culinary diversity of Brussels.

2/ Watermael-Boitsfort racecourse
Formerly the only racecourse in the Brussels conurbation. Today it is a golf course.

3/ The Lion of Waterloo
William I of the Netherlands had this monument built in 1826 on the site where his son, Prince Frederik of Orange-Nassau, had been wounded. It symbolizes the victory of the Prussian and Allied armies against France. The lion's head, by the way, faces the France. His leg, which rests on a cannonball, represents the peace that Europe achieved after the battle.

4/ The Sonian Forest
With 4500 hectares, it is one of the largest European forests so close to a city. It consists of 80% beech trees.

5/ Beersel Castle
This castle was built around 1300 to protect Brussels. Hit kateel is one of the last remaining examples of medieval military architecture.

6/ Pajottenland
From Erasmus, the trail mainly follows the green promenade or other hiking trails in Pajottenland.

7/ Dilbeek Town Hall
Traditionally, it was a fortress with a mixture of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance style. It was rebuilt in 1863. One of a kind.

8/ The Atomium
This structure was erected on the occasion of the Universal Exhibition of 1958 and does not represent the nine Belgian provinces of the time, as is often claimed, but the nine atoms of the iron crystal in the hexagonally dense joint. At that time, the atomic sciences were in full development. Runners of the 80 km can enter one of the spheres via the external staircase. A very special experience...

More information can be found here: http://www.ecotrailbrussels.com/page/335/Voorstelling.html