April 29th

The canopy is getting more dense as the beeches are getting more leaves. Only some of the sunlight can still reach the bluebells. As long as the bluebells get enough sunlight, they ‘ll keep their purple-blue colour. If you visit the forest on 1 May, you’ll just see the end of the most beautiful period.
There’s some excellent news for the animals in the forest and its many visitors. The City of Halle has decided to close Hallerbos completely for through traffic, as it is a major European nature area. The current arrangement (the forest is closed on Sundays and holidays) will become permanent. This will happen in two phases: In the initial phase (from 1 July 2015) the Vlasmarktdreef and Eikendreef between the Achtdreven and the entrance at the Vroenenbos will be closed. Parking 5 and 6 cannot be reached by car. In the final phase (in 2016) the Lorkendreef will be closed between the Achtdreven and the Kapittel. Parking 4 at the Dries will be enlarged. There will be a parking at the Kapittel. Meanwhile, the current arrangement is being kept. There will be a permanent speed limit of 30 km/h, to heighten the experience of nature in quiet.

On Friday 1 May, Saturday 2 May and Sunday 3 May the forest is open for the public, but it is closed for through traffic. Parking 5 and 6 will not be accessible by car (as is the case on every Sunday). So please take into account that parking 8 ‘Achtdreven’ will only be accessible by car from the Nijvelsesteenweg and not from Dworp.  Another beautiful day in the woods, thanks to the sun and the clouds.

The weather has been excellent since the springflowers started flowering, providing ideal conditions to enjoy the colourful spring in the forest.
Today, however, the sun did not play its usual game of light and shadow with the young beech leaves and the bluebells. But today’s soft purple and light green forest also has its charms. It usually takes about 7 days before the canopy closes completely and doesn’t let the sun reach the flowers directly. The beeches started having leaves last Wednesday, so that only leaves us some more days. Hopefully, the predicted cold slows down the process, to let the fairylike time last a little longer.

The sun and the fresh green leaves of the smaller beeches combine for a wonderful show of light and shadow over the purple-blue sea of flowers. Within a few days, the slopes of ‘Tranendal’ are getting their purple-blue colour, too. The purple-blue and transparent green game of colours can be enjoyed the following days. Too bad the weatherforcast is not brilliant for the next days.

After some days of sun, this is a day with diffuse light in the morning, but this is just as beautiful. More and more bluebells keep appearing. High beech starts getting some leaves. It’s a pure delight to walk in the forest.

It’s wonderful weather to walk. It’s full spring in the woods. The forest is turning more purple by the day. Fortunatly the high beeches are not getting any leaves yet. So the bluebells can enjoy the full sunlight.  Many bluebells haven’t started blooming yet in the valleys. On the plateaus, on the contrary, the bluebells can enjoy the sun for a longer time, so there, the purple blue bluebells and young green beech leaves create an enchanting atmosphere.