Great Runs in Brussels
Brussels is an under-rated city from a travel perspective. There are some wonderful examples of older European architecture, grand squares and charming neighborhoods, important institutions such as NATO and the EU, terrific museums, and a cosmopolitan flair, mixing French cuisine, a Dutch influence, and a growing North African population. The running scene is defined by a series of lovely parks. String a few of them together to get a longer jaunt in. A 3–4 mile route through the compact city center will provide a ‘running tour’ of some of the city’s most important sites. Grand Place is one of Europe’s largest and loveliest squares, but can be very crowded! For a longer run, with miles of trails and lots of hills, head out to the Sonian Forest, in the southern part of the city. And, runners — the city has great chocolate and even a chocolate museum!
The city’s 4 metro lines and excellent tram and bus system make it easy to get anywhere and to running spots a bit further afield. Brussels weather is similar to Paris and Amsterdam. Winters are cool and damp but rarely frigid or snowy. Summers are mild to warm and fairly humid, with long days and cool-ish nights.
The Iconic Routes
- Brussels running tour
- Cinquanternaire and Parc de Bruxelles
- Bois de Cambre
- Brussels Canal Run
- Forêt de Soignes (Sonian Forest)
The Routes
Brussels Running Tour
3 miles. Start: Parc de Bruxelles. MAP
This ~3 mile tour will take you by some of the more interesting sites in Brussels. It’s hard to design a specific route through some of the narrow, cobblestoned streets around the Grand Place, so for this part go early to beat the crowds and explore a bit, or use this route as a general guideline. The main route uses Brussels Park as the anchor point. Head toward St Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral, Belgium’s National Church. The next section skirts Grand Place, with many wonderful old buildings, Royal Theater, Jeanneke-Pis (sister of Manneken Pis), Brussels City Museum, the historic Galeries Royales shopping arcade, heading out to gorgeous Eglise Catherine. Next, run by the curious Manneken Pis (Iconic 17th-century fountain with a bronze statue of small boy, dressed in costume during festivals), to Brussels City Hall and the Museum of Chocolate. The final section runs by Brussels’ main ‘museum area’, with several iconic museums, cultural institutions, and the Royal Palace.
Cinquantenaire and the Parc de Bruxelles (Royal Park)
4.4 miles. Start: Metro Schuman or along Rue de Loi. MAP
Add-on: Leopold Park. Makes total run 4.7 miles. MAP
This run is an opportunity to run two of the city’s nicest parks and also enjoy some important sites. The Cinquantenaire is a lovely park with beautiful manicured paths. It is home to the Arcades du Cinquantenaire, sort of a meld of the Arc de Triomphe and the Brandenberg gate. There are also several museums: Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History, Art and Architecture, Auto Musuem, and the Islamic Center. It is ~1,7 miles around the perimeter. For a longer run, take Rue de Loi (N3a), passing several EC buildings, east to Royal Park. This park is a bit smaller, and lies between the royal palace and the Belgian parliament. At the southeast corner is a Museum of Musical Instruments and Modern Art Museum. And just east of Royal Park is Gare Central and the heart of Brussels’ museums and tourist areas. A nice add-on to this run is Leopold Park.
Brussels Canal Run
Anderlecht to Halle is 13k one-way.
An extensive canal system runs from just west of the center of Brussels north and south. The sections near the center are OK for running, but quite busy and there is not a seamless pedestrian trail. The most pleasant sections close to the center are from the Porte de Ninove, at the intersection of the N8/R20. Head south from here for miles. It gets especially nice and runner-friendly south of Anderlecht. There are bridges to cross from one side to the other, and paths on both sides, in areas. Another bonus is that there are buses and trains that run along the N6 paralleling the canal, so run one-way to Halle and hop on a train back!
Bois De Cambre
3.25 miles. Start: Longchamp station of N38 bus. MAP
Alternative from downtown: Using Ave. Louise, ~2 miles
This park is 2 miles south of the city center and easily accessible via the 38 bus. Bois de Cambre is a little larger and more rugged than Parc Bruxelles and Cinquantenaire. There are lots of lovely paths, including ~1 mile around the lake. At the northwestern end of the park is the University of Brussels, and at the southern end is a golf course and hippodrome. It’s about 3.3 miles around the perimeter, with lots of paths to make a longer run. Bois de Cambre is the beginning of the Sonian Forest, a 10,000+ acre forest with 5k, 10k, and 20k loops.
Forêt de Soignes (Sonian Forest)
Multiple mileage options, including marked 5k, 10k, 20k maps. MAP
10km course MAP; 20km course MAP
Access: Bus 72 leads to the ADEPS Center; Metro: Herrmann-Debroux
Forêt de Soignes is a 10,000+ acre wooded area, just south of Bois de Cambre and ~4 miles south of the center of Brussels. There is a vast number of trails, so there are many jogging options. Some trails are more rugged, and there are also straight alées through rows of beech trees. There are also marked 5k (green), 10k (blue), and 20k (red) loops, all visible from a panel at the ADEPS Center (sports center). There are wonderful sporting facilities in the park, as well. Showers available at ADEPS for a modest fee.
Brussels Urban Run
7 miles. Start: Gare Centrale or Parc Bruxelles. MAP
For a longer urban tour combining sights and parks, start at Brussels Park, and head up to Place Rogier and through the Botanical Garden. The longer run follows Blvd. Roi Albert II, in north Brussels for 2 miles out and back. Then head up Blvd. Leopold II to Parc Elisabeth. The return can be simple, along Blvd. Leopold, or lots of options here to wind your way through some of the more historical, older sections of Brussels back to the park.
Parc De Forest and Parc Duden
~2.5 miles. Start: Rochefort on Ave. de Roi. MAP
This is a nice, green option about 2 miles south of Brussels Park. Using the paths of the two parks, it is possible to put together ~2.5 fairly hilly miles. The Parc de Forest is a graceful, grassy slant. Parc Duden is also hilly, with more rugged forest paths. For a longer run, enjoy the residential streets of the Forest neighborhood. To run to Parc de Forest from central Brussels, take Rue de Regence to the Palais de Justice, and then Rue de l’Hotel de Monnaies, which is ~2 miles.
Convention Center/Jette/Laeken Area
~ 4 miles north of center. Multiple running options. MAP
In the northern section of Brussels is the Brussels Expo (convention center), and the Laeken/Jette neighborhoods. Business travelers especially might end up in this area. Best running in this area is a series of parks, shown in the map, which added together are ~5 miles from one end to the other.
- Parc de Laeken. Lovely park with gardens and paths, Leopold Monument, and 1780s Palace de Laeken. One can put together ~3 miles from the I Atomium to the Palace, and surrounding paths.
- Parc de la Jeunesse and Parc Roi Baudouin. Linear park just east of Parc de Laeken. Head through Leopold Sq. to get there.
- Bois de Laerbeek. Just past Parc Roi, head into the lovely trails of Bois de Laerbeek, lined with beech trees. Use Rue de Bois and Petite Ruse Saine-Anne.
Stay
Stay anywhere in the center city or near the old city, and you can do a nice ‘tourist’ run of Brussels, or access some of the main parks such as Cinquantenaire and the Parc de Bruxelles. Your other best bet is to get a hotel near Bois de la Cambre, which also provides access to the Forêt de Soignes. In the northern section near the Expo, try to stay near Laeken, which has good access to parks.
Stores and Community
There are several running specialty stores located in Brussels. Jogging Plus, Trakks, and Training7 are the most notable. They don’t appear to do group runs.
Jogging Plus. Centrally located on 10, rue de Luxembourg, near Parc de Bruxelles.
Puma Store. Also near Parc de Bruxelles.
Training7. Main runners shop of Brussels. Near the Soignes Forest trailhead on the Chaussée de Wavre.
Trakks. Great running and outdoor store at Parc de Cambre.
Clubs and Group Runs
Friskis & Svettis. 25 year old volunteer run organization. Group runs with schedule that changes frequently.
Hash House Harriers. Since 1980. Group runs Saturdays 3pm.
Brussels Runners Meetup group. Lots of group runs.
Club L’enjambée Woluwé located at SPORTCITY. They organize 2 training sessions a week including Sunday 10am in the Forest.
Le Cepal. A more serious training club.
Events
Brussels Marathon. October. Every city has a marathon. This is Brussels’ version.
The Brussels 20k. May. One one of the biggest races in Europe. 40k people. Great run touring Brussels.
La Bruxelloise. Exclusively for women. 3,6,9k versions on the banks of the Ixelles ponds.
The Color Run. September. Brussels version of this increasingly popular event.
Mannekin Pis-Corrida. Fun race between Christmas and New Years. 4.5 and 7.5k races.
