🌿 Groenendaal → Debroux: Sunday Forest Hike & Social Escape
About the event
Leave Brussels behind for a few hours and spend your Sunday walking through the green landscapes of the Sonian Forest - fresh air, forest trails and good company, finishing back on the Brussels side at Debroux.
Come alone or bring a friend. The idea is simple: walk together, meet new people and enjoy nature close to the city.
🌲 Experience overview
We’ll meet at Brussels-Schuman railway station and take the train together towards Groenendaal, where our hike begins.
From there, our volunteer hike leader will guide the group on an approximately 10 km point-to-point route through the Sonian Forest, heading towards Debroux/Auderghem.
This is as much a social afternoon as a hike. Sunday Vacations is about creating an easy setting where international professionals, expats and locals can connect naturally while doing something enjoyable together. Hiking remains one of Meetup's strongest interests, while people increasingly search for events based on friendship and social connection as well as the activity itself.
🌍 Event type
🌍 Community Event — Social Hike
👥 Maximum group size: 15 people
A smaller group keeps the hike friendly and makes it easier to actually talk to the people you're walking with.
✨ Highlights
🌳 Around 10 km through the Sonian Forest
🚆 Easy departure from central Brussels
🥾 Forest paths and nature close to the city
💬 Relaxed atmosphere for meeting new people
🌍 International and local community
🙋 Solo joiners very welcome
📱 Dedicated Sunday Vacations WhatsApp event group for day-of logistics
🚇 Finish around Debroux/Auderghem, with easy public transport connections
The route shown indicates approximately 10.6 km, with around +150 m ascent / -210 m descent. Treat these figures as approximate; the final distance can vary slightly depending on the route followed on the day.
🗺️ Plan / itinerary
13:00 — Meet at Brussels-Schuman railway station 13:06 — Train departure from Schuman After arrival — Brief welcome and start of the hike from Groenendaal Afternoon — Approximately 10 km of forest walking, with short pauses along the way Finish — Debroux/Auderghem area Afterwards — Participants can continue home by public transport or spontaneously stay for a drink if the group feels like it.
Please arrive early enough to find the group and board the train. The 13:06 train will not wait for late arrivals.
📍 Meeting point
Brussels-Schuman railway station — Rail/Platform 2
Please aim to arrive 10–15 minutes before departure.
📅 Sunday, 11 October 2026 🚆 Train departure: 13:06 🥾 Distance: approx. 10–10.6 km
Final meeting instructions and any last-minute updates will be shared through the official Sunday Vacations WhatsApp event group.
💶 Price / contribution
Community hike: free to join.
Participants are responsible for purchasing and paying for their own train/public transport tickets directly to the relevant transport provider.
Any personal purchases, food or drinks are also at your own expense.
🌍 Sunday Vacations membership
Sunday Vacations is a community by UJAMAA ASBL for people who want to discover new places, spend more time outdoors and build meaningful connections through shared experiences.
Membership options:
Explorer — €5/year · Voyager — €50/year · Ambassador — €150/year
For this Community Event, newcomers are welcome to come along and discover the community. Membership helps support the wider Sunday Vacations community and future activities.
👋 Who this is for
This hike is ideal for international professionals, expats, Brussels locals, newcomers to the city and anyone who enjoys walking and meeting people in a relaxed environment.
Coming alone? Absolutely. Many community activities are designed to make solo participation feel natural, and building a social circle is a meaningful part of the wider expat experience.
You should be comfortable walking approximately 10 km on forest paths at a steady group pace.
🎒 What to bring
Bring comfortable hiking or walking shoes with good grip,…
