Hyacinth Festival shows off carpet of bluebells in Hallerbos forest

The annual Hyacinth Festival has started in the Hallerbos forest, 20km south of Brussels. Until 1 May, walkers and cyclists can admire the blue-purple carpet of hyacinths – also called bluebells – in the forest.

"The Flemish part of the Hallerbos forest has a surface of about 570 hectares, about a third of which is completely covered with a carpet of hyacinths at this time of year," said Goedele Van der Spiegel, administrator-general of Flanders’ Agency for Nature and Forests.

“This makes it the spot with the largest area of wild hyacinths in Flanders. So it makes sense, and is also positive, that visitors from far beyond our regional borders come to admire the photogenic wood hyacinths."

The festival was created in 2017 to handle the crowds of visitors attracted by the bluebells in full bloom. Previously, large groups flocked to the forest uncontrolled, posing a risk to the local wildlife and vegetation. Until 1 May, 50 volunteers make sure that visitors stay on the designated paths and don’t trample on the fragile flowers.

Due to the construction of a new ecoduct, the parking facilities at Hallerbos are limited this year, so visitors are encouraged to come on foot, by bicycle or by public transport. From this weekend, the city of Halle is running free shuttle buses between Halle station and the forest for three weekends. There will also be free buses on the public holiday on 1 May. There is also an adapted shuttle bus for people with disabilities.

^{#FlandersNewsService | People hiking in the Hallerbos, renowned for its bluebells © BELGA PHOTO/VIDEO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK}