Meerdaal Forest Trail

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Meerdaal Forest Trail: Leuven’s Ancient Forest Day Hike

Published 17 July 2025 Updated 5 June 2026

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HikeList Score

Meerdaal Forest Trail scored 77/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.

Very Good

See score breakdownHide breakdown

Ideal length 55
Balanced challenge 100
Scenery & wildness 78
Varied terrain 64
Accommodation 66
Food & support 88
Path quality 98
Season flexibility 89

Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.

The Meerdaal Forest Trail is a one-day loop through Meerdaalwoud, about 10 km south of Leuven in Flemish Brabant, Belgium. Treat it as an assembled forest circuit rather than a single official route: about 19-20 km, usually 5-6 hours, easy to moderate. It suits hikers who want a long, lowland woodland walk on good dirt and gravel paths, with gentle climbs, beech avenues, ponds and spring flowers. For another green Belgian walk, compare the Brussels Green Walk.

Route Overview

This is a circular walk using Meerdaalwoud’s node-based path network, so there is no fixed official direction. Practical starts include De Speelberg on Weertsedreef, De Torenvalk near Naamsesteenweg and the E40 at Haasrode, the Heverleebos Arboretum entrance, or Het Zoet Water near Oud-Heverlee station, about 1.5 km from the rail stop. A long circuit can link Het Zoet Water and the Minnebron, the Heverleebos Arboretum, the sterrenbos beech avenues, Tomberg, Warandevijver, Paddenpoel and De Torenvalk observation tower. If you prefer a longer waymarked through-route in Belgium, see the GR 12 Amsterdam to Paris Trail or the GR 126 Semois & Meuse Rivers.

Ancient woodland, Arenberg avenues and wartime ponds

Meerdaalbos has remained largely wooded since at least the 12th century, when it was recorded as silva de miradal. It later passed from the Lords of Heverlee to the House of Croÿ and, in 1618, to the Dukes of Arenberg. The formal straight avenues mostly date from the 18th and 19th centuries. After the Second World War, DOVO destroyed unexploded ordnance in sealed forest areas until 1976, leaving ponds that now support wildlife. The forest became protected landscape in 1971 and part of Nationaal Park Brabantse Wouden in 2023.

Notable highlights

Het Zoet Water & the Minnebron spring: A chain of small lakes on the Oud-Heverlee edge of the forest, fed by the Minnebron. It is a popular access point with cafés nearby and drinkable spring water.
Heverleebos Arboretum: A tree collection in the adjoining Heverleebos and the start point for the Vijf Eikenwandeling. It adds variety if you want to extend the walk into the wider forest complex.
Cathedral-like beech avenues: Long, straight rides of beech and oak form the forest’s sterrenbos pattern. They are the signature walking terrain of Meerdaalwoud.
The Tomberg: At 102.5 m, this wooded rise is the locally cited high point of Meerdaalbos. The wider Meerdaalwoud-Heverleebos complex reaches 108 m in neighbouring Mollendaalbos.
Wartime munitions ponds & ecoducts: Former DOVO blast sites have become wildlife-rich ponds. Modern ecoducts help reconnect the forest across roads.
Spring wildflowers: In April and May, wood anemones and other ancient-woodland flowers cover parts of the forest floor.

Challenges to expect

The main challenge is distance, not terrain. Paths are generally good, but hollow lanes and rooty forest tracks can turn muddy after rain, especially in winter. Navigation needs attention because “Meerdaal Forest Trail” is not one official waymarked route; you are linking signposted paths and nodes. Carry a map or GPX, choose a clear start point, and expect only modest but repeated lowland climbs.

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