Is Hallerbos full of magic?
- Hallerbos is a forest area located in Europe’s Belgium, mainly in the Halle district.
- Hallerbos is known for its abundance of wild hyacinths or bluebells that bloom during spring, from April to May.
- The forest of Hallerbos has an area of approximately 5.35 square kilometres (2 square miles), which includes 1 square kilometre (0.4 square miles) that is classed as a reserve and is home to a number of rare plants.
- ‘Hallerbos’ is also known as ‘Halle Forest’ and ‘The Blue Forest’.
- The trees of Hallerbos include species of oak, ash, pine, beech, giant sequoia and larch.
Part of Hallerbos
Image courtesy of Ines Saraiva/Flickr
- Nearly all of the Hallerbos trees were cut down by Germans during World War I.
- Hallerbos is home to hares, foxes, deer, rabbits and polecats.
- In Ancient Roman times, Hallerbos was part of the Coal Forest, which reached into Germany.
- Since the 1930s, Hallerbos trees have been replenished and planted, and the area expanded by the purchase of nearby farms.
- Hallerbos has tracks for cyclers, hikers and horse riders, and also a museum.
Bibliography:
Hallerbos, 2014, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallerbos
Halle 2011, Natuur en Bos, http://www.natuurenbos.be/hallerbos#.U-VbUvmSzVx
Welcome to Hallerbos, 2014, Hallerbos, http://www.hallerbos.be/en/
