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* EUROPE TRUNK CALL<br />
IMAGES VISIT WALES, ALAMY, PHOTOLIBRARY.COM<br />
Clockwise from<br />
above: Described by<br />
Byron as “Glorious<br />
Eden”, Sintra’s forest<br />
is crying out to be<br />
explored; Save your<br />
visit to Hallerbos<br />
forest in Belgium till<br />
the spring and you’ll<br />
be rewarded by<br />
carpets of bluebells;<br />
Wales’ Dyfi Forest<br />
is a paradise for<br />
mountain-bikers<br />
Hallerbos Belgium<br />
This 552-hectare forest, 15km south of Brussels, is best<br />
known for its bluebells, which carpet the wood for<br />
about three weeks each spring. The flowers attract<br />
photographers from across Europe, while keen<br />
walkers, cyclists and horse-riders trek Hallerbos’<br />
trails throughout the year.<br />
Fly to: Brussels visitbelgium.com<br />
Oslomarka Norway<br />
Not many capitals have wild trails that are accessible by<br />
underground train, let alone trails where you might spot<br />
beaver, deer, moose or lynx. But from Oslo it’s a mere<br />
20-minute subway ride to the Oslomarka – literally ‘Oslo’s<br />
lands’ – that surround the city. Here you can go hiking,<br />
fishing or canoeing in spring and summer, or crosscountry<br />
skiing in winter; many trails are floodlit until late.<br />
Fly to: Oslo visitnorway.com<br />
The Black Forest Germany<br />
Boasting quintessentially German scenery, the Black<br />
Forest is a picture-perfect place for wandering among<br />
firs so thickly packed you can barely tell night from day.<br />
There are a number of activities to indulge in, from<br />
hiking and biking to soaking sore bits in spring-water<br />
spas. From Strasbourg it’s just 40km to the spa town<br />
of Baden-Baden, known as the gateway to the forest.<br />
Fly to: Strasbourg blackforest-tourism.com<br />
44 Brussels Airlines b.spirit! magazine Jan-Feb <strong>2011</strong><br />
Dyfi Forest Wales<br />
One of Wales’ largest forests, this ancient oakland in the<br />
rolling Powys countryside is home to many mammals<br />
and birds, including protected roe deer, bats and red<br />
grouse. The forest is well set up for sports lovers, with<br />
plenty of mountain-biking and pony-trekking trails,<br />
while birdwatching guides are available for twitchers.<br />
For experienced hikers, meanwhile, the spectacular<br />
mountain Cadair Idris lies to the northwest in<br />
Snowdonia National Park. To stay in the forest itself,<br />
book a yurt or tipi with Eco Retreats (ecoretreats.co.uk),<br />
on a 526-hectare organic farm.<br />
Fly to: Bristol or Birmingham visitwales.co.uk<br />
Sintra Forest Portugal<br />
With its crazy, crenellated battlements and Disney-like<br />
turrets, the Palácio da Pena in Sintra is one of Portugal’s<br />
great sights. Most visitors climb the castle, gaze out over<br />
the sea of trees below, and then retreat to a beachside<br />
taverna in one of the nearby resorts. Explore the<br />
deep-green forests below the castle, however, and<br />
you’ll discover a great tangled mass of oaks, maples<br />
and hazel trees, lush and cool. Up towards the Sintra<br />
Mountains, the area is popular with rock climbers.<br />
Fly to: Lisbon visitportugal.com<br />
Bergslagen Forest, northern<br />
Västermanland Sweden<br />
For adventurous back-to-nature lovers, the eco-lodges<br />
by Lake Skärsjön are reason enough to visit this Swedish<br />
beauty spot. Set in a pine forest clearing, Kolarbyn offers<br />
12 timber and moss-clad huts made cosy with sheepskin<br />
rugs and wood-burning stoves. Kolarbyn staff can pick<br />
you up from Skinnskatteberg train station, just over<br />
two hours from Stockholm.<br />
Fly to: Stockholm kolarbyn.se<br />
Brussels Airlines flies to 50 premium European destinations<br />
Be inspired<br />
■ <strong>2011</strong> is the<br />
International Year<br />
of Forests: visit<br />
un.org/forests/
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