I love the time of year when spring is near, and trees start to bloom. It feels like nature is waking up after a long nap. Growing up in Belgium, I was always surrounded by apple and pear trees.

Cherry blossoms have the same magic. They don’t last long, but that’s what makes them special. Their pink and white flowers turn parks and trails into something out of a fairy tale. While places like Japan are famous for cherry blossoms, Belgium has some stunning spots too.

In this guide, I’ll share 10 of the best hikes to see cherry blossoms in Belgium. These trails are perfect for a peaceful walk or a day outdoors.

Cherry Blossoms in Belgium

Cherry blossom season in Belgium is a short but magical time. The best time to see them is usually from late March to mid-April, depending on the weather. If spring comes early, the blossoms might appear sooner. But if it’s colder, you might have to wait a little longer. Either way, it’s worth keeping an eye out because the blossoms don’t stick around for long!

What makes cherry blossoms in Belgium special is how they blend into the country’s natural beauty. You’ll find them in parks, gardens, and even along peaceful hiking trails.

But it’s not just about cherry blossoms. In Belgium, apple and pear trees also bloom around the same time, covering orchards and countryside with soft white and pink flowers. For me, these blossoms are just as beautiful and bring back memories of springtime in the villages where I grew up.

How can you tell if the fruit trees are blossoming?

You don’t have to drive to a place just to see if the fruit trees are in bloom. Save yourself a trip and check the Blossom Meter or the Blossom Whisperer, which are two cameras that give you an update on the blossom season.

Check their links here:

Blossom meter for the region of Sint-Truiden

Blossom whisperer for the Hageland

1. Jordaan walk

This is a walk I have been doing since I was little and although it’s lovely during every season, you will see that spring brings something even more magical.

You can start this hike in Meldert at the Sint-Ermelindis church and go to Hoksem. You will pass a dozen fields of apple and pear trees, and the hike is accessible to everyone. The road is well signposted, but you can always use the app Wandelknooppunten to create your route.

These are the official signposts you should follow: Start at number 524 then go to 523 – 522 – 520 – 519 – 518 – 517 – 516 – 500 – start.

Add a little extra to your hike! While passing through Meldert you can stop at this beautiful castle. This building is actually a high school, but you can make a short walk through the gardens and discover its beauty. Address: Waversesteenweg 4, 3320 Hoegaarden

2. Walking through Zoutleeuw

A beautiful domain is ‘Het Vinne’ in Zoutleeuw. Here you will find walks for everyone, a playground for small children to teenagers, a bar, and different activities throughout the summer.

It is also the start of this blossom walk. There is a big free parking, so you don’t need to worry about that. Address: Ossenwegstraat 70 3440 Zoutleeuw

For this hike, use the wandelknooppunt app and follow these numbers to complete your loop. 307 – 306 – 344 – 345 – 346 – 347 – 310 – 36 – 35 – 31 – 3 – 37 – 38 – 30 – 32 – 33 – 309 – 308 – 307.

You will come across little wooden paths, green open fields, and a part of the forest. It’s a beautiful domain with over 100 hectares of land.

3. Floralia in Brussels

If you’re visiting Belgium in spring and love floral displays, don’t miss Floralia Brussels. It’s a stunning flower exhibition held in the gardens of Castle of Groot-Bijgaarden, just a short trip from Brussels and it’s a dream for tulip and blossom lovers alike. You can walk through the park and extend your hike by doing the 4,18 km loop around the castle.

4. Cherry Blossoms in Laeken – Parc de Laeken & Japanese Tower

If you’re looking for cherry blossoms in Brussels, Laeken is a great place to go in spring. There are two beautiful spots right next to each other: Parc de Laeken and the area around the Japanese Tower.

At Parc de Laeken, there’s a long path lined with cherry trees near the Royal Greenhouses. When the trees bloom, usually in early to mid-April, it becomes a soft tunnel of pink flowers. It’s peaceful, great for photos, and even better if you come early in the morning when it’s quiet.

Just a short walk away, you’ll find the Japanese Tower. The tower itself is closed to the public, but the garden around it has even more cherry trees. It’s a calm, open space, and the combination of Japanese-style architecture and cherry blossoms makes it feel a bit like a hidden escape.

• Bring a snack or coffee—there are benches and grassy areas to sit and relax

• Best time to visit: early to mid-April

• Come early in the day for fewer people and soft light

5. Through the orchards of Tienen

Start at Fruit Vanhellemont at Hamelendreef 81 for this hike in Tienen. Tienen is known for its sugar but also its orchards. This hike is 11 km long, and you will come across different fields, the river The Grote Gete, and beautiful apple trees.

You can follow the rectangular red signs or the different numbers in the app Wandelknooppunt available in your app store: 2 – 20 – 27 – 28 – 211 – 202 – 201 – 29 – 200 – 25 – 26 – 27 – 20 – 2.

🌸 TIP: Want to discover more beautiful things this spring in Belgium? Discover these free events during spring in Brussels and make the most of the season!

6. Japanese Garden of Hasselt

The beautiful Japanese garden in Hasselt is a real treat during the blossom season! You will need to pay an income to visit, which you can find on their website. There are 225 Japanese cherry blossoms, also called Sakura trees in their garden which are extremely gorgeous during the blossom season.

Be careful that in 2021, the blossom season starts on 1 April and you need to make a reservation online beforehand to get a ticket. Every Sunday they have guided tours throughout the domain to learn more about the plants and the Japanese culture.

7. Haller Forest Brussels

The “Hallerbos” close to Brussels is well-known for the purple hyacinths, which you can find during the blossom season. The best time to visit the beautiful purple fields is between April and May, depending on the weather. The Haller forest has 3 signposted walks that you can follow, yellow which is 7 km, blue which is 4 km, and white/black for visitors with reduced mobility which is 1.8 km. Every hike is filled with hyacinths, so you can choose the path that soothes your fitness level.

It’s very important to stay on the path and not throw anything on the ground to preserve nature. There are different picnic spots in the forest with benches for a little break.

8. Arboretum Kalmthout

In the arboretum garden in Kalmthout, you will find the most beautiful cherry blossoms from Japan. They are in bloom from the end of March until the end of April (depending on the weather).

The garden is 150 years old and has a rare selection of different trees and plants. The arboretum is open every day from 10:00 – 17:00, in 2021, during the pandemic, you need to make a reservation online before entering the park.

9. Combine the church and the blossom walk of Borgloon

Borgloon in Haspengouw is a real blossom paradise! Every year you can enjoy different guided blossom walks between the orchards and find new walking and cycling paths that are hidden between the trees. If you are looking for a challenge, you should participate in the Nature Urban Trail or the Blossom Run, which are 2 races that are organized by the inhabitants of Borgloon.

If you plan a visit to Borgloon, you shouldn’t miss out on the beautiful sight of the “Reading between the lines” church, which is magnificent at sunset. Address: Grootloonstraat 2, 3840 Borgloon

10. A sunny walk in the blossom sea of Alden Biesen

Alden Biesen is a real treat during blossom season because this place has the largest public standard orchard in Western Europe. Put your walking shoes on or take your bike and choose between endless picnic spots in the colorful flower fields. I can recommend following the blue rectangles for a small hike of 4 km that starts from the parking of Alden Biesen.

Belgium is a fantastic destination for nature lovers and hikers who want to witness the stunning beauty of fruit tree blossoms. While cherry blossoms are the most well-known, pear and apple trees are also popular and widespread throughout the country, providing equally breathtaking views during the bloom season.

The ten hikes mentioned in this article offer a great opportunity to experience the blossoming of fruit trees in some of Belgium’s most picturesque locations. So, grab your hiking boots, plan a trip to Belgium during the bloom season, and get ready to immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of nature.