The hyacinths (also known as bluebells) in the Hallerbos – 20km south of Brussels – are in full bloom, right on cue for the start of the festival dedicated to the blue-purple flowers.
While the first wild hyacinths started to pop out last week in the warm weather, a magical phenomenon when the flowering stems at last stretch above the narrow leaves.
The Nature and Forest Agency (Natuur en Bos) confirmed on Friday that the blue-purple carpet of flowers, which turns the forest into a tourist hotspot, is becoming more and more intense by the day. Not only is the higher ground awash with purple, the deeper reaches of the valleys are turning into an undulating sea of blue flowers.
Credit: Belga/ Nicolas Maeterlinck
"The flowers are now in full bloom," a spokesperson for the agency told The Brussels Times. They added that it is perfect timing for the Hyacinth Festival, which starts on Saturday 13 April. "It is already an incredibly beautiful sight and at the opening on Saturday, visitors will be able to see the carpet effect perfectly." The full bloom of the bluebells is slightly earlier than last year, largely due to the warm weather last weekend.
Crowd-control
With temperatures again expected to surpass 20°C on Saturday, it is likely that nature lovers and people looking to snap some pictures of the florescence will head to the Hallerbos this weekend en masse. The Nature and Forest Agency is prepared.
"We created the festival in 2017 because we know the blooming results in a large influx of visitors," they explain. Before, large swathes of tourists flocked to the woods uncontrolled, posing a risk to the wildlife and vegetation, as the narrow country lanes leading to the woods quickly became blocked with cars and many people posed for pictures in the middle of a sea of blue, trampling on the delicate flowers.
"But now we can take the necessary measures for thousands of people to come and view this phenomenon." Some 50 volunteers work to ensure everything goes smoothly and visitors stay on the designated paths, which are cordoned off to protect the greenery.
People walking in the Hallerbos, Sunday 17 April 2022. Credit / Belga Nicolas Maeterlinck
From 13 April, the city will run free shuttle buses between Halle station and the forest for three weekends between 09:00 and 20:00, with the last buses on Wednesday 1 May, a bank holiday in Belgium. New this year is a special shuttle bus for people with disabilities, ensuring that everyone can hitch a ride. The authorities also warned visitors that, due to the construction of the new ecoduct, the parking facilities at Hallerbos are limited, encouraging people to come on foot or by bicycle.
"So we are fully prepared for a large number of visitors in the coming days and weeks." Visitors are advised to go early to avoid the biggest crowds and get the best view.
When the flowers appear depends on the warmth of the soil, the presence of the sun and the amount of rain that falls around their blooming period. The forest guardians are actually hoping it will get colder again in the coming days, as the large, tall beeches are already producing leaves, which could hamper the growth of additional new flowers.
