Sonian Forest Watermael-Boitsfort

At more than 4,400 hectares, the Sonian Forest is one of the largest urban woodlands in Europe and stretches out south-east of Brussels. Watermael-Boitsfort offers one of the most accessible gateways to this impressive beech forest, which was recognised in 2017 as UNESCO World Heritage for its ecologically unique beech woodland. The entrance at the Tweekerkenplaats provides direct access to a network of accessible paths.

The municipality of Watermael-Boitsfort and the Brussels-Capital Region have invested in recent years in a wheelchair-friendly route through the Sonian Forest. The main path from the Tweekerkenplaats is a compacted dolomite path that runs about a kilometre into the forest and ends at a wheelchair-friendly viewpoint over the valley of the Watermaalbeek. Along the way you pass information panels about the fauna and flora of the beech forest. Some side paths have a rougher surface and are not recommended for manual wheelchairs.

At the main entrance there is a municipal car park with three disabled spaces. An accessible toilet can be found in the visitor centre on Boulevard du Souverain, a few minutes' drive away. The visitor centre also provides information about accessible walking routes and events. Tram 8 stops close to the Tweekerkenplaats and the stop is fitted out for wheelchair use.

A trip to the Sonian Forest combines well with a visit to the castle of La Hulpe or the Foret de Soignes Visitor Centre Hoeilaart on the other side of the forest. The level streets of Watermael-Boitsfort are pleasant to navigate, and the municipality has several well-known accessible restaurants where you can relax after your walk.