3,800 participants are expected to join in the Urban Walk, an 11-kilometre trail passing through 14 unique locations in the city. This year, the Federal Parliament and the new administrative centre of the City of Brussels are included on the route.
The Urban Walk Series, organised by health insurance company CM, invites participants to explore Belgium's most beautiful cities in at their own pace. The walk includes access to buildings and sites that are usually closed to public.
On Sunday 19 March, the first of this year's Urban Walk Series will be held in Brussels. It starts at the Swimming Pool of the Centre, one of the most beautiful pools in Europe famed for its bay windows and huge glass panes on the roof offering magnificent panoramic views of the Kapelle church.
"The City of Brussels is delighted to once again welcome the CM Urban Walk to our city, right through and along our most beautiful monuments," said Brussels city councillor for Sport Benoit Hellings. "Combining sport with the (re)discovery of the capital is a golden opportunity."
Aside from the renowned swimming pool, two other new locations have been added to the route, including the Federal Parliament (specifically Palace of the Nation, which houses the House of Representatives and the Senate) and Brucity, the brand new administrative centre of the City of Brussels.
Map of the route in Brussels. Credit: CM
Walkers will also pass through the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, the Brussels Parliament, St Catherine's Church and the chocolate museum Choco Story Brussels, as well as well-known open spaces, including a stroll across the stately Grand Place, walk the imposing Mont des Arts, pay a visit to Zinneke (the dog of Manneke Pis and Jeanneke Pis). The route then winds to the Skatepark Chapelle and stops by Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries.
Participants will also get a literal taste of the city, as local goodies are offered. Yoghurt brand Arla Skyr will also provide walkers with a healthy rest stop.
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Participants will have to start the route between 08:30 and 11:30 at the Place de la Monnaie. Those who still want to tag along can register online (no later than Saturday evening) or sign up on Sunday morning at the start zone.
A total of five such walks will be organised this year: on 28 May in Bruges, Sunday 18 June in Antwerp, while another two walks are scheduled on 17 September and 3 December, but the locations of these will not be announced until later this year.
