The Hallerbos, Bluebells

The trip to the Hallerbros is best made when the flowers are blooming.  They were in bloom when we visited on April 26, 2016.  We attended a trip planned by the Brussels Expats Club.  It was really great!  First, we traveled from Liege to Brussels by train, where a double decker bus picked us up near the train station.  We took the bus for a short trip out to the Hallerbos near Halle Belgium.  They gave us some snacks when we arrived and just before our three hour walk through the woods.  It was beautiful and relaxing at the same time.  The guided tour was in English and our tour guide kept moving as she was in a time crunch!  I believe our stamina has improved as Americans in Belgium, as we were often in the front of the pack and others were struggling to keep up with the tour guide.

As we walked through the woods, we were not allowed off the tracks and into the area where the Bluebells grow because the plants are very sensitive and will not grow back next year if they are stepped on.  We saw many interesting plants just from the paths and we are sharing pictures of them below, with you.

There were also many stumps of trees that had been cut down.  The reasoning behind this is that the trees were all destroyed during the war and the trees were replanted.  To try to help the forest be more natural they come through the woods, cut some trees out and replant trees so the trees won't forever be the same age and height.  We hope you enjoy the numerous pictures we are sharing below.

Nick and I in the woods together taking in the smells and scenery!

One Albino Bluebell that was found in the woods.
Next year, there should be more.

The Bluebells and the woods with some weeds in front too. One of the paths in the woods (and one of our favorite pictures). Our "red" group on a path in the woods. We were divided into three groups. A side path.  Some paths were just for people, some for bikes and some for horses.

Bluebells on some rolling hills.

Bluebells on some rolling hills.

Bluebells on some rolling hills with the stump of a tree that was cut down.

Bluebells on some rolling hills. With some Bear Garlic.

Bear Garlic, found growing wild in these woods (the whole area really did smell like garlic).

A carnivorous plant that eats the bugs that fly into its opening,

Bluebells and Bear Garlic.

Bluebells and leaves that had fallen in the woods.

Bluebells and Bear Garlic.

Bluebells and fallen branches in the woods.

Bluebells on the rolling hills of the forest.

Bear Garlic growing in the woods.

Bluebells and the woods.

Close up image of the Bluebells.