's Gravenbos

's Gravenbos is one of the oldest and largest forest complexes in the municipality of Grimbergen, stretching along the border between the villages of Humbeek and Nieuwenrode in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. The forest covers roughly 100 hectares and belongs to the so-called Ferraris forests, woodland areas already recorded on the eighteenth-century maps drawn up by Count de Ferraris, which points to centuries of continuous forest cover on the site.

Why is this forest protected?

Together with the neighbouring Driesbos and the nearby Bos van Aa and Kollintenbos, 's Gravenbos forms part of a Natura 2000 habitat-directive area covering the forests of the southeastern sandy-loam region (Zandleemstreek). The site carries considerable ecological value, hosting a population of great crested newts that is notably large for the region — an amphibian species protected under European law.

What can visitors find in and around the forest?

South of the forest stands 's Gravenkasteel with its stud farm, while inside the woodland itself is the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw forest chapel, built in 1829. In the southwestern part of the complex lies the eighteenth-century Kasteel ter Eiken. Near the bridge in Humbeek there is also a Lourdes grotto with a Way of the Cross, built in 1952 by twelve members of the KAJ youth movement, set within what is known as the Mariapark, which also includes a calvary.

Three watercourses run through the forest: the Grote Buisbeek (also called the Driesbosbeek), the Landgracht (also known as the Bosbeek), and the Meiskensbeek, giving the area the character of a damp, varied woodland landscape.

How can 's Gravenbos be explored?

Although most of the land is privately owned, walkers and cyclists can freely use the entire area year-round via a network of tracks and footpaths, including those marked as Voetweg 63, Voetweg 64, Buurtweg 17, and Buurtweg 30. The long-distance GR128 trail, running from Pas-de-Calais all the way to Aachen, also passes through 's Gravenbos, making it one of the waypoints along that route.

For visitors, a marked circular route called the Gravenboswandeling has been laid out, roughly 6.1 kilometres long. It starts at the Lourdes grotto and follows waypoints numbered 611-608-639-607-609-610-611. The route can also be walked in reverse, or shortened into smaller loops, making it accessible to families with children as well as more experienced walkers.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is 's Gravenbos located? The forest lies in Humbeek, a district of the municipality of Grimbergen in Flemish Brabant, on the border with Nieuwenrode.

Is entry to the forest free? Yes, the area is freely accessible to pedestrians and cyclists throughout the year, even though part of the land remains privately owned.

What else is there to see besides the forest itself? 's Gravenkasteel with its stud farm, the eighteenth-century Kasteel ter Eiken, the 1829 forest chapel, and the 1952 Lourdes grotto surrounded by the Mariapark.

How long is the marked walking route? The Gravenboswandeling is about 6.1 kilometres long, though it can be shortened using one of the intermediate loop options.