Autumn Holiday 2026: 10 Nature Trips in Belgium

The autumn holiday is the perfect time to head outdoors. The forests turn red and gold, the heathland lies quiet and overhead the cranes fly south. Pull on a warm Ember Trail Hoodie, with a fox in an autumn forest, and off you go. In this article you'll find the dates of the 2026 autumn holiday and 10 nature trips in Flanders and Wallonia, with practical tips.

When is the 2026 autumn holiday?

This year, for the first time, the school holidays in Belgium fall in completely different weeks:

All Saints' Day falls on a Sunday this year, which is why the Flemish holiday only starts on 2 November. Good news for Flemish families: during your holiday, Walloon children are already back at school, so the Ardennes will be quieter.

10 nature trips for the autumn holiday

1. High Fens: the roof of Belgium

At Signal de Botrange you stand on the highest point in Belgium, 694 metres. Around it lies a vast peat bog with boardwalks, birch trees and mist hanging over the fens. For families, the boardwalk of about 1.5 km is a good choice. If you want a longer walk, take the Grande Ronde des Fagnes of just under 9 km. The park is accessible all year round, and the Botrange Nature Centre has information about the routes.

Note: the High Fens use a zone system. Dogs are not allowed in zone B, not even on a lead. If a red flag is flying, certain zones are closed.

2. Hoge Kempen National Park

Hoge Kempen National Park in Limburg has eight Top Trails, from 9.5 km (Terhills) to almost 18 km (Munsterbos). Every starting point has free parking and a café or restaurant. With children, head to Lieteberg, where you'll find a 2 km barefoot trail. In autumn the pine forests and heathland take on beautiful colours, and from the Mechelse Heide you can see far across the landscape. Bring a good pair of hiking boots, like the ones on our Trail Rest shirt.

3. Bokrijk Estate

At Bokrijk you can walk loops of 1.5 to 9.5 km through the green estate. The estate itself is free to enter, and dogs are welcome on a lead (except in a few places, such as the farm). An ideal trip if you want to combine walking with something extra for the kids.

4. Kalmthoutse Heide

From the De Vroente gateway, around thirty signposted walks set off, from short to very long. Parking is free. In autumn, plenty of mushrooms grow along the paths. Want to know what you're looking at? Read our article on mushroom hunting in Belgium. Note: from October to March the visitor centre closes at 4 pm.

5. Zwin Nature Park

The Zwin near Knokke-Heist is a top spot for migrating birds in autumn. Every morning between 10 am and noon you can watch birds being ringed, and the 1.7 km cabin path is also suitable for buggies and wheelchairs. During the Flemish autumn holiday the park is open every day. For more birdwatching tips, see birdwatching in Belgium. True bird lovers wear the Swift Dive Sweatshirt with a diving falcon.

6. De Westhoek in De Panne

De Westhoek is the oldest nature reserve in Flanders (1957), with almost 350 hectares of dunes. After the summer it's much quieter here. The Westhoek walking route of about 10 km takes you from the dunes to the Calmeynbos forest, and for little legs there's the 2.8 km Ligusterpad. Dogs are allowed on a lead.

7. Tombeau du Géant on the Semois

Near Bouillon, the Semois makes a spectacular loop around a wooded hill: the Tombeau du Géant. An easy loop of about 6.5 km takes you past the view, the Lyru viewpoint and the Rocher des Gattes. In autumn the forests in the valley turn gold and red.

8. Lake Robertville

In the East Cantons you can walk around Lake Robertville in about 9 km, with a side path to Reinhardstein Castle along the way. There's also a shorter variant of about 5 km. It's a good place to watch cranes migrate in autumn (see below).

9. Coo Waterfall

The 15-metre Coo waterfall was created in the 18th century by the monks of Stavelot Abbey. In autumn, with the colourful forest around it, it's at its most beautiful. Walk around the lake of Coo, or take on the tougher hike between Trois-Ponts and Coo. Our Fall Creek Hoodie is made for waterfalls in the forest. Note: parking is paid.

10. Caves and wildlife park of Han

With children, Han-sur-Lesse is a safe bet. You visit the cave and the 250-hectare wildlife park, where you can see brown bears, wolves, bison and lynx, among others. A PassHan for both costs €41.50 for adults and €31.50 for children aged 4 to 11. It's more of a paid attraction than a simple walk, but an unforgettable day. Check the opening days on the website before you go.

Cranes over Belgium

From mid-October to mid-November, tens of thousands of cranes migrate from northern Germany to France. They mainly fly over the east of the country: the East Cantons and Limburg. You often hear them before you see them, by their loud trumpeting call. Last year a big wave passed over on 6 and 7 November, right in the middle of the Flemish autumn holiday. Whether that happens again this year depends on the weather and the wind, so keep an eye on Natuurpunt's sightings.

Practical tips

Watch out for hunting in Wallonia

The hunting season in Wallonia runs from 1 October to 31 January. On days with a driven hunt, the paths in the hunting area are off limits. You'll recognise this by red posters at the start of the paths. Yellow posters announce an upcoming hunt. So check the local hunting calendar before you go, or ask at the tourist office.

The days are short

On Sunday 25 October the clocks go back an hour to winter time. In early November, the sun rises in Brussels around 7:35 am and sets again around 5:15 pm. So set off in good time, especially for a long walk.

Dress in layers

Autumn weather can change quickly, and the paths are often wet and muddy. Choose sturdy, waterproof shoes and dress in layers. A warm sweatshirt under a rain jacket works perfectly, like our Pine Dusk Sweatshirt with a row of pine trees. Read more in hiking in the Ardennes: what to wear.

Looking for even more autumn?

The Sonian Forest, the Hallerbos and other beautiful woods are in our article on the most beautiful autumn forests in Belgium. And if you get up early in the Ardennes, with a bit of luck you'll still hear the last of the deer rut.

Frequently asked questions

When is the 2026 autumn holiday in Flanders?

From Monday 2 to Sunday 8 November 2026. In French-speaking schools (Wallonia and Brussels), the autumn holiday is earlier, from 19 to 30 October.

What's a fun autumn trip with children?

Lieteberg in Hoge Kempen National Park with its barefoot trail, the Zwin with its bird ringing and cabin path, or the cave and wildlife park of Han. Choose walks of 2 to 5 km and bring plenty of snacks.

Can I hike in the Ardennes during the hunting season?

Yes, but not on paths with a red poster. On those days there's a driven hunt and the area is closed to walkers. Always stay on signposted paths and check the local hunting calendar.

Take autumn home with you

After a day outdoors, you want something warm. Discover all our designs with forests, animals and mountains in the Forest collection, or go straight to our hoodies. Shipping is free across the EU from €45 (otherwise €4.99).