Raspaillebos
Belgium, Vlaamse Ardennen, Oost-Vlaanderen
- Hiking
- Wildlife watching
Raspaillebos is a forest area in the Flemish Ardennes in the south of the Belgian province of East Flanders. The forest area of 50 hectares is located on the territory of the municipality of Geraardsbergen, near the provincial border with Galmaarden in Flemish Brabant. Raspaillebos connects to Moerbekebos, to the Flemish forest reserve Karkoolbos, and also to the forest area Kluysbos in Galmaarden. Raspaillebos is managed by the Flemish government agency Agency for Nature and Forest and by Natuurpunt. The nature reserve holds European recognition as a Natura 2000 area and is part of the Flemish Ecological Network. The area has been a protected landscape since 1980 and is also recognized as a quiet area.
- The forest is a key stopover for migratory birds heading south.
- The Bosberg, a famous cycling hill, cuts through the forest and is part of the Ronde van Vlaanderen route.
Rules and access
What Raspaillebos asks of visitors. Rules come from the park authority.
Allowed
Not allowed
Trails
Marked routes inside the park. Colours are the waymarks you follow on the ground.
Groene wandeling
2 km · Moderate
Gele wandeling
4 km · Moderate
Oranje wandeling
2.5 km · Moderate
Rode wandeling
3.7 km · Moderate
Aardgasnatuurwandeling
7.7 km · Moderate
What you might see
Wildlife and plants recorded in the park. Watch from a distance; leave no trace.
Weasel
Mustela nivalis · Rare
Tawny Owl
Strix aluco · Rare
Fire salamander
Salamandra salamandra · Common
Buzzard
Buzzard · Common
Wild hyacinth
Hyacinthoides non-scripta · Common
Wild Narcissus
Narcissus pseudonarcissus · Common
Hermelin
Mustela erminea · Common
Getting there and planning
Nearest city: Geraardsbergen
Park facts
- Designation
- Nature reserve