Hallerbos
{{Short description|Forest in Belgium}}
File:Hallerbos Plattegrond.JPG
The Hallerbos (Dutch for Halle forest) is a forest in Belgium, covering an area of {{convert|552|ha|abbr=on}}. It is mostly situated in the municipality of Halle, in Flemish Brabant and has also a little part in Walloon Brabant.
The forest is known in the region for its bluebell carpet which covers the forest floor for a few weeks each spring, attracting many visitors.{{cite web |url=http://www.andrewsroe.com/?p=the.blue.forest |title=The Blue Forest |accessdate=2008-07-30 |archive-date=2012-07-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726023802/http://www.andrewsroe.com/?p=the.blue.forest |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.expatica.com/be/entertainment/ent_leisure/true-blue-5728.html |title=True blue |publisher=expatica |date=2004-03-18 |accessdate=2008-07-30 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
Visitors can reach there either by their own vehicle or through public transport. For public transport, you can reach Halle railway station and get a bus to the entrance of the forest.{{Cite web|url=http://www.hallerbos.be/en/visitors-info/public-transport/|title=By public transport - Hallerbos|website=Hallerbos|language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-23}}
History
Historically, the Hallerbos was part of the Silva Carbonaria, along with other forests in the vicinity including the Sonian Forest and Meerdaal.{{cite web |url=http://www.sonianforest.be/about-the-forest/back-in-time/ |title=Back in time |publisher=sonianforest.be |accessdate=2016-01-13 |archive-date=2018-08-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807001712/http://www.sonianforest.be/about-the-forest/back-in-time/ |url-status=dead }} As late as 1777, it was still connected by a woodland strip to the Sonian Forest.{{cite web |url=http://www.hallerbos.be/en/history/ |title=From Merovingians and Habsburgs over Dukes to national forest |accessdate=2016-01-13}} During World War I, most of the old trees were removed by the occupying German forces. Reforestation took place from 1930 to 1950.
Gallery
File:Hallerbos2.jpg|A walking path in October
File:20081207 Hallerbos - Beersel (0007).jpg|A walking path in December
Anemones in Hallerbos Belgium.jpg|Anemone
Halle - Hallerbos.jpg|Bluebell
Hallerbos (DSC 2258).jpg|Wild daffodil
File:Hallerbos.JPG|Info panel of the Hallerbos recreational area forest
See also
References
{{reflist}}
Further reading
- Hallerbos on the website of Nature and Forest by the Flemish Government in Belgium: http://www.natuurenbos.be/nl-BE/Domeinen/Vlaams-Brabant/Hallerbos.aspx
- Official website with view of the flowers and forest: http://www.hallerbos.be/en/
{{coord |50.704|N|4.288|E|region:BE|display=title}}
Category:Geography of Flemish Brabant
Category:Tourist attractions in Flemish Brabant
{{FlemishBrabant-geo-stub}}