This article first appeared on My Travelogue by Bhushavali
I'm a naive beginner camper! As an Indian millennial, the concept of camping was unusual to me. For me, camping meant wild camping with tarpaulin sheets and not cozy tents with inflatable beds (though it is common in India today, it wasn't so when I was young).
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Persids Meteor shower (at top left) view from Sint-Alpace-Rode
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However, sleeping on the terrace of my own home and watching the stars at night was a norm for me which isn't the case for my child. The only way I could introduce that to my daughter is by taking her camping here in Belgium. So, here are the top 3 camping spots near Brussels for beginners. I really stress on the 'beginners' part, because this might seem silly for pro-campers! So, if you're a pro-camper, bye!
CAMPING IN BELGIUM:
Wild camping is illegal in Belgium. So basically, you cannot go to the middle of the forest or beach and pitch your tent. You need to be in a camping ground or a private space where you can park a motor home or pitch a tent.
WHAT CAMPING GEAR DO YOU NEED?
When I decided to take my daughter camping there were 3 things I purchased, all from Decathlon (nope, not a sponsored post!) Here's what I purchased, all linking to Decathlon's website - A 2-person tent, 2 Sleeping Bags, a Battery-Operated Light.
TOP 3 CAMPING NEAR BRUSSELS
CAMPING DRUIVENLAND (NEAREST CAMPING GROUND TO BRUSSELS)
The first ever camping I went was at Camping Druivenland. This is the nearest campground to Brussels at Overijse. It is easy to reach the locality by DeLijn Bus from Hermann-Debroux metro station. Camping Druivenland has large mobile homes and block huts which can be hired for a minimum of 2 nights. This is pretty much like a hotel but in the form of a house/hut. These are also fully furnished and have an ensuite toilet etc. Basically, much like a hotel room and costs much like one too. But, that's not why I was there; I was there for the camping grounds.
As soon as I entered, there was the owners' cabin, where I had to confirm my identity and pay. Since I had already booked a space online I just had to show them my ID. After requesting for a hammer to help fix my tent, I was off the main area where tents & motorhomes can be pitched.
The camping ground is a dedicated large open space serving both motor homes and pitching tents. I found a nice spot beside the shrubbery, beside an already parked motorhome. It is allowed to pitch your tent anywhere in this space.
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With the help of Atyudarini I set up the tent and thanks to that hammer I got from them, I fixed my tent to the ground. Atyudarini was very very very excited to be sleeping in a tent, outdoors, for the first time in her life! We changed into our jammies inside the tent and set the shoes and worn clothes in the spot meant for it, inside the tent (shoes, can be kept between the 2 layers of the tent). Soon, we were sitting outside the tent, on the grassy floor and chilling, and chatting with the senior couple in the motorhome beside us. Soon, another caravan came into the ground with kids that made Atyudarini even happier!
Regarding drinking water, there are 2 taps right in the middle of the camping ground. The toilets and bathrooms are at the end of the rental houses. This space also has an indoor play area, washing machine area, etc.
Just beside this space are farmlands and to see those farmlands and the street lights of the single street that goes through the village in the pitch dark middle of the night. Of course, in the absolute darkness, in the lack of air & light pollution, the night sky was splendid with beautiful stars all over. The view of milkyway was just spectacular. Watching the sunrise was equally peaceful and magical too!
Just 20 mins walk (1.5km away) from Camping Druivenland is the town center of Overijse where there are restaurants, bars, as well as grocery stores including Delhaize if you need some bread, croissants, cheese, juice, etc. Another interesting Overijse attraction is the museum dedicated to the local wine region - Dru!f, home of the table grape. This is free if you have a Museumpassmusees.
Where is Camping Druivenland (on Google Maps): Camping Druivenland
How to reach Camping Druivenland by public transport The nearest bus stop is Overijse Nijvelsebaan which can be reached by DeLijn Bus Route R75 from Hermann Debroux Metro station. Overijse Nijvelsebaan is 550m (7 mins walk) from Camping Druivenland.
Camping Druivenland Prices for tent only: €12.50 per adult; €3.50 per child
Camping Druivenland Prices for a motorhome: €21.50 per adult; €4 per child
Camping Druivenland electricity for motorhome: €6 a night
Camping Druivenland online booking: official website of Camping Druivenland
Tips for camping at Camping Druivenland: Carry your camping gear. Carry a flashlight (or you'll need to use the flashlight of your phone) to navigate at night to the water tap or toilet if necessary. Carry a water bottle to fill and use. Carrying toilet paper is not required but is recommended.
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SINT-ALPACA-RODE (NEAREST GLAMPING SITE TO BRUSSELS)
After the initial tryst with the very outdoor camping, my next spot was also very close to Brussels, but this time for Glamping! What is Glamping? Well - combine glamour with camping and that would give you glamping! As the name suggests, it is in Sint-Agatha-Rode and it has Alpacas!!!
Sint-Alpaca-Rode is the same place where we visited earlier for the meet-greet-feed Alpacas activity. Apart from the hour-long animal petting activity, they also have an overnight glamping activity in the meadow, and we've done that twice so far for it! There are 2 tents in the meadow - 1 smaller which could hold 2 adults or 2 adults and a child; the other is a bit bigger which can hold upto 4 people (or probably even 2 adults + 3 children).
The glamping tent here is all set for a very comfortable overnight stay with a large canvas tent with a snug beg with thick duvets, a nice room heater, a nice resting chair, cutlery & crockery, soft lights operated by battery (yup, there's no electricity in the meadow). There is a bonfire spot in front of the tent as well as a Barbeque grill stand too. Normally, you're expected to bring your firewood for the bonfire, but if you're going there by public transport, you could request them to arrange firewood for an extra payment. You will have to build your own fire, but building fire and toasting marshmallows & eating them is one of the best things to do here at Sint-Alpaca-Rode. Being an absolute novice (I mean, coming from Chennai, where it's hot all the time, and building a fire is something we've never done in our life!), we had no clue, but the owners, guided us and basically taught us how to cut fire wood, how to start a fire and how to keep it going! It was funny for them (and for us too!) that we're grows-a$$ people who knew nothing about building fire!
The best of it all - the meadow has 5 alpacas, 3 goats and, 2 baby pigs to keep you company all night long! The best part - when you get the fire going, the alpacas & goats gather around you (& the fire basically!). It's super awesome to be just caressed by the alpacas which pretty much don't care about you and enjoy being in the heat and grazing the grass all around; the goats, on the other hand, are super enthusiastic, which can by a bit startling at times!!! Haha. It is absolutely wholesome to be there at that moment.
Quite surprisingly, even without planning, we ended up going here when the Persids Meteorite shower was on! Guess what, Sint-Alpaca-Rode is one of the best places for stargazing near Brussels, in Belgium. I'd say, check the meteor shower calender and book them for the night and wake up in the middle of the night to watch the metoer-shower. It happened by chance for us! We didn't know, but caught the Perids Meteor Shower at Sint-Alpaca-Rode. I woke up at 1:00AM and woke up Atyudarini too and we saw a 4-5 meteors in less than 20 mins! Guess what, we also saw a glow-worm, right where we were sitting!!!
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Next morning, I had ordered for breakfast and since I had informed Ms.Christine (the owner) that I'm a veggie, she brought a big basket of home-cooked veggie breakfast spread, right from Apple juice from the family's apple orchard, to mini pancakes that she cooked, to absolutely divine hazelnut spread (nutella) that she made from scratch!!! I mean, just order the breakfast... Don't think twice!
Ms.Kristien also came with carrots to feed the alpacas. In fact, we had asked for a couple of carrots when we checked in, so we could do some feeding ourselves in the evening (when we're on our own, with the animals and the guests of the other tent). We also got to feed the little pigs with some pellets. This was probably the funniest thing to do in the meadow for her.
The check-out time is 11:00, but that only means, you need to clear-up the tent, you could hang around with the alpacas, goats, and pigs for a while longer; we left at 02:00PM to catch the bus. Atyudarini used this time to feed the alpacas. She just took one of the little feeding buckets and started plucking tall grass and bringing them to the alpacas, very sincerely, for a considerable amount of time. Atyudarini actually said 'It is hardwork, but I have the do it, because the alpacas need me to do it'! So yeah, she had an absolute blast.
Where is Sint-Alpaca-Rode (on Google Maps): Sint-Alpaca-Rode
How to reach Sint-Alpaca-Rode by public transport: The nearest railway station is Pécrot which is about 1km away connected by a well-paved, stroller-friendly road. The Leuven <=> Ottignies train S20 stops at Pécrot. The nearest bus stop is Sint-Agatha-Rode Vijverstraat which is only 500m away. This is connected by the DeLijn Bus route 349 from Hermann-Debroux metro station. It runs only about once every 2 hours. The shortest route from Sint-Agatha-Rode Vijverstraat to Sint-Alpaca-Rode is through Dijlestraat which is not stroller friendly; if you have a stroller, go on Vijverstraat and turn on Rue de Rode which is only 50m extra!
Sint-Alpaca-Rode Prices per tent, per night: €75 for 2 persons (breakfast extra)
Camping Sint-Alpaca-Rode online booking: Facebook Page of Sint-Alpaca-Rode
Tips for camping at Sint-Alpaca-Rode: Unlike proper camping, here you don't need to carry any camping equipment at all! Carry marshmallows though. There is a dry toilet in the meadow. The meadow has a running water connection, so you can fill your bottles with tap water and freshen up a bit if needed. If you need a shower, you can inform Ms.Christine while booking and she can set up the outdoor shower (normally only for atleast 2 nights stay or more).
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TRANENDREEF BORGLOON (A BUS RIDE TO CAMPING IN HANGING TREE TENTS)
Going Camping at Tranendreef Boomtenten is something I had been wanting to go since the last 3 years. Somehow every time I plan a trip, book a tent much in advance, the day turned out to be super rainy and I ended up cancelling it time & again. Finally, I made up my mind to go here once atleast, before I bid adieu to Belgium, even if it was rainy. The weather forecast did mention rain and I was gearing up with my rainboots & raincoat and a ‘let’s do this no matter what’ attitude. Luckily, the rain turned out to be a mild drizzle for some 30 mins! Lucky me, yeah!!!
Every year Tranendreef Boomtenten is open only from May to September and the weekends (& public holidays) are the first to get filled up, pretty much as soon as they open up. There are only 4 tents available which means, unless you’re really early to book, you might miss out on weekends/holidays. They are cancellable till a week prior, so you could take some chances. I had managed to book for a weekend.
It was quite an experience to go here (more info on how to reach below), but was totally worth it. I had already visited the town for one of the top things to do in Borgloon, to see the see-through church! So I knew the way till that, train till Sint-Niklaas and then a bus to Borgloon. The key to the tent was to be collected at the Tourism Office of Borgloon located in the heart of the city. As many a time, now too the Tourism Office (where I went to get the key) was surprised that I had come there by bus. From there, the tents were located about 5km away and it was a short bus ride.
Tranendreef Boomtenten is a true blue camping, like Druif….., where you are not provided with any facilities apart from the tent itself and the beds which are a part of the tent. It was awesome to just see the droplet-shaped tents hanging from the tree. There were ladders locked to the same trees as well. The keys were to open the tent and to unlock the ladders from the trees.
Once I managed to unlock the ladders & fix to the tent, it was time to enter the tent. Here’s a tip, bring a bag, ideally waterproof, to hang your shoes outside the tent, because you can’t leave it on the ground, coz some insects/animals might take shelter in your shoes or it might just get wet! The tent had 2 crescent shaped beds and a little platform/shelf to keep your belongings. There are 2 large windows, one made of net and the other flexi-plastic; if it’s too cold, you can close the net window and sit have a wonderful view outside through the transparent plastic; if you need more ventilation or if it’s a warm day, the net window can be opened as well. It was slightly drizzling the night we went and was cold as well, so we had the net window closed. Should I even tell you about how pretty the rain drops looked against the transparent window. As I mentioned, this is a true blue camping experience where you’re not given anything, except the tent itself and the bed that’s attached to it. So, I had carried my sleeping bags and extra blankets.
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Very soon as we drifted into the night, the rain stopped, so we headed to the campfire area. The campfire area is at the end of the passage that has the 4 tents, which also has toilets and picnic tables. The toilets here are bio toilets which means there’s no water here, but there are tissues and chemicals to decay the bodily waste and kill the smell as well. However, the sink has water, but is connected to barrels of water behind it. So, it isn’t fresh water, so don’t drink it!
We are in the wooded area and there are logs everywhere, but there are logs stored in a box beside the campfire area. The storage box also has match sticks and fire starters. Unfortunately the matchsticks had gotten wet and we couldn’t start the fire! But again, fortunately, one of the other fellow campers, had a lighter and we began the fire. Atyudarini was over joyed and we had our packed dinner (if you’re an Indian reading this, we had packed some nice Tomato rice, Veg Pulao, and Potato Bhaji/Poriyal). To sit in the middle of, what feels like a forest, and have proper Indian food with the roaring fire beside, it was absolute awesomeness. The best part, we had it all for ourselves! The drizzle earlier in the night had dampened some spirits and the other campers had already retired for the day. The entire bonfire and camping space was all ours for as long as we wanted! After spending several hours there, we too retired back in the tent, which means, shutting down the bonfire, walking a bit through the passage in the woods, climbing the ladder to our tent, zipping up the tent and staring at the sky & trees through the window!
The next morning, I woke up early to stroll around in the area. One of the walking trails of the region goes through this passage and followed it, to go via some fields and it was truly a breath of fresh air. Soon, a car came into the passage (normally, cars aren’t allowed to enter here), which would only mean 1 thing - breakfast! As I mentioned earlier, there’s an area for bonfire & picnic tables. Here, the car came and delivered the Breakfast boxes. It was a very simple breakfast of breads, fruits, yoghurt and coffee/tea. There were also some cold-cut meats which we requested not to include. That said, to eat in that area is an absolute delight.
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By 12 noon, we had to return our keys at the Borgloon Tourism Office. We could take the bus, but we wanted to walk. Actually, both these tents and the picnic area are parts of the larger-than-life art installations spread across Borgloon. Borgloon Tourism Office has a map of the many such arts in the locality. We checked out and headed to Twijfelgrens, through some gorgeous Apple Orchards, then via Doorkijkerk, to Borgloon city center to drop the keys and head by home.
Where is Tranendreef Boomtenten(on Google Maps): Tranendreef Boomtenten Borgloon
How to reach Tranendreef Boomtenten by public transport: Take the SNCB-NMBS Belgian Train to Sint-Truiden and then take De Lijn Bus Route 23 to Borgloon Rusthuis and walk about 1km to reach Stroopfabriek Bezoekerscentrum which is also the Visit Borgloon Tourism Office (a bus runs this distance on weekdays, but doesn't on weekends). Then walk back the same 1 km and take the same bus again and get off at Bommershoven Kruispunt and walk about 1.5km to the Hanging Tree Tents. Otherwise it is possible to pre-book rental bikes at the Tourism Office and bike the 5km to Tranendreef.
Where to get the key to Tranendreed Boomtenten: Stroopfabriek bezoekerscentrum
Tranendreef Boomtenten Prices per tent, per night: €70 per tent (breakfast extra)
Tranendreef Boomtenten online booking: via the official website of Visit Borgloon
Tips for camping at Tranendreef Boomtenten: Book as early as possible. There are just 4 tents and they’re open from May to September only! Weekends & public holidays are the first to go. You can cancel for free until 5 days in advance (and for 25 euros for until 24hrs in advance). So, you can check the weather and cancel if needed, later on. I did that for the last 2 years!
There is no running water in the premises which means you need to bring drinking water for your entire stay. Here’s what we did - when I went to Borgloon Stad to get the keys, I headed to the Carrefour Market which is about 5 mins walk from there to get a 10l water can. Yes, it isn’t too easy to carry it and walk back to the bus stop, but not too difficult too. It’s 10kg afterall!
The tent is large! I can stand comfortably inside the tent; 3 adults or 2 adults+2 kids can sleep comfortably in the tent; it’s that large.
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OTHER CAMPING POSSIBILITIES NEAR BRUSSELS
NEERHOF CAMPING (Annual Camping Festival near Brussels)
Unlike the other 2 places Het Neerhof is not a camping site, but a fuctional farm. We've been here to spend time with the farm animals. That said, they organize the 'Camping Festival' once a year around June-July for just 2 days. They'd announce it in May-June. I'd say keep checking their website often from mid-May. The thing is, it gets filled up very quickly once they announce it. The whole farm space is converted to a camp-space with many many families pitching their tent and doing all the activities. The farm-fresh vegetables/meat can be bought for the night to make your barbeque! Freshly baked bread is also available to buy. Sometimes, they also do a bread-making workshop. Btw, here you have bring your own tent, sleeping bag etc as well.
Unfortunately, I had to cancel in 2023 coz the weather wasn't so great to go by public transport and stay in our tent outdoor and in 2024 I wasn't in town! Unfortunately, I never got to experience this...
Where is Het Neerhof (on Google Maps)? Het Neerhof
How to reach Het Neerhof by public transport? The nearest bus stop is Itterbeek Boudewijnlaan which is about 4mins walk (350m) away from the farm. It is connected by DeLijn buses from Brussels Midi as well as Sint-Guido metro station.
Het Neerhof Prices per tent, per night: €20 per tent spot (veggies, bread etc cost extra)
Het Neerhof online booking: via the official website of Het Neerhof
CAMPING HUTS AT HALVEMAAN DIEST
I've been the Provincie Domein Halve Maan in Diest for its awesome swimming pool & in-land beach. but guess what, they also have a nice, little camping space. By little I mean, it can only accommodate 4 camper vans and there are 2 wooden huts. Those 2 huts are available to hire on a nightly basis from March to October only. It is not possible to pitch a tent here, but just take the huts. That said, the huts are not equipped, it's just empty (like Tranendreef Boomtenten); you'll have to bring your own sleeping bag, snacks/food, water etc. If you intend to cook, utensils can be hired separately. Unfortunately, I never got to experience this too...
Where is Provinciedomein Halve Maan (on Google Maps)? Zwembad Diest
How to reach Provinciedomein Halve Maan by public transport? The nearest railway station is Diest which is served by SNCB-NMBS trains from Brussels. From Diest railway station, several DeLijn Bus routes including 299, 370, 22, etc take you to Diest Sint-Jansplein which is just in front of Zwembad Diest. The entire journey from Brussels to Diest Swimming Pool (Zwembad) in Provinciedomein Halve Maan takes about 1 hour.
Provincie Domein HalveMaan Prices per tent, per night: €45 per hut
Provincie Domein HalveMaan online booking: via the official website of Het Neerhof
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We are finally headed to Brussels this Fall. Your posts on Belgium have been helpful in our planning. But we sure don’t plan to camp near Brussels! Although it does look like a magical experience to share with your child. Now glamping might be something to consider for another visit. That little extra bit of comfort might make all the diference. Especially if an alpaca came to visit. I am sure the hanging tree tents were quite a unique experience. So fun to have such different camping adventures around Brussels. Linda (LD Holland)
ReplyDeleteWe are finally headed to Brussels this Fall. Your posts on Belgium have been helpful in our planning. But we sure don’t plan to camp near Brussels! Although it does look like a magical experience to share with your child. Now glamping might be something to consider for another visit. That little extra bit of comfort might make all the diference. Especially if an alpaca came to visit. I am sure the hanging tree tents were quite a unique experience. So fun to have such different camping adventures around Brussels.
ReplyDeleteI am totally more of a glamping type than a camping type, so the Alpaca one looks right up my alley. I would have loved to see the little baby pigs and the 5 alpacas, what a fun time! That homemade breakfast sounds so divine, if I'm ever back in Belgium I'd love to stay there.
ReplyDeleteI have been camping a few times but I'm not really a fan because of how cold it gets at night, and how uncomfortable it is to sleep on an inflatable mattress. In a few days though I will be going glamping, and I am very looking forward to it. In my case, it will be a dome and not a large tent. I would love to go glamping in Belgium, as the addition of alpacas roaming free around the grounds is fantastic! Also, the homemade breakfast delivered in the morning is definitely a nice touch. Now that is camping!
ReplyDeleteI want to stay in one of those hanging tree tents! It looks so cool! I must google and see if I can find one in the U.S. If no luck, my friend lives in Brussels and we plan to visit in the next 2 years. I hope I can get a spot during our visit there. The breakfast at Sin-Alpaca-Rode looks delicious. That's a good thing about glamping. You don't need to cook yourself.
ReplyDeleteOh! I had no idea that wild camping is illegal in Belgium. Will definitely keep this in mind.
ReplyDeleteI perfer glamping now that we have kids in that way, we still have "experience" and yet remain comfortable. I am sure my girls would get excited to see the alpacas, goats and baby pigs. Love the idea of stargazing too.
Looking forward to visiting Sint-Alpaca-Rode soon.