Lintbos

Lintbos is a young, still-developing forest in Grimbergen, in the Flemish Brabant province of Belgium, planted on the grounds of a former military airfield. Visitors here get a rare chance to see a forest built from scratch — yet after two decades it already feels like a fully formed ecosystem.

How this forest came to be

The story of Lintbos begins in 1939, when a reserve military airfield was established in Grimbergen. The site served aviation for decades until, in 2001, local and regional authorities decided to give it a completely new purpose. On 18 March 2001, a unique project was launched: afforesting the former airfield across 70 hectares. It was the first forest of this scale to be planted in Flanders in a hundred years — a symbolic undertaking meant to restore a large, coherent green space in a densely built part of the country.

What it looks like today

Of the 70 hectares of total area, 55 hectares were planted with native trees and shrubs — around 150,000 saplings in total. The land formally belongs to the municipality of Grimbergen, which leased it long-term to the Agency for Nature and Forests (Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos), which manages and protects the area.

Lintbos isn't a solid wall of trees — planners deliberately kept certain sightlines open. One runs from Lintkasteel in the north toward the center of Grimbergen, opening a view of the town's basilica. Another leads from the former airfield toward the church in Beigem. As a result, walkers alternate between denser woodland and open meadows, which varies the route and offers unusual views of nearby landmarks.

What you can do here

Lintbos is a popular destination for walking and cycling. Routes of different lengths are available, from a shorter loop of roughly one kilometer to a longer circuit of just over four kilometers. Part of the longest path is surfaced with dolomite gravel, making it suitable for strollers, wheelchairs, and bicycles as well.

The forest is also crossed by the green walking and cycling corridor "Van Basiliek tot Basiliek" ("From Basilica to Basilica"), connecting the basilica in Grimbergen with the Troostbasiliek in Vilvoorde. It's a good option for anyone who wants to combine a forest walk with a visit to two significant religious landmarks in the region.

Wildlife in Lintbos

Despite its young age, the forest already attracts abundant wildlife. Birds of prey such as kestrels, sparrowhawks, and buzzards are a common daily sight, typically hunting over the open meadows and forest edges. The warm, south-facing forest margins and shrubland also benefit many butterflies and other insects, making Lintbos worthwhile not just for walkers but for nature observers as well.

A military-era curiosity

A trace of the site's former purpose can still be found near the entrance at Diegemput: an aircraft compass calibration point, likely dating from 1941, during the Second World War. This well-preserved calibration disc is considered unique in Europe and stands as a physical reminder that where trees now grow, aircraft once took off and landed.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to Lintbos free? Yes, as a public nature area managed by the Agency for Nature and Forests, Lintbos is free to visit.

Are the paths suitable for children and wheelchair users? Yes, part of the longest route is surfaced with dolomite gravel, making it accessible for strollers, wheelchairs, and bicycles.

How old is this forest? Planting began in March 2001, so Lintbos is now more than two decades old, though it's still considered a young, actively developing forest ecosystem.