Top 15 Lakes around Forêt de Soignes - Zoniënwoud

A section is currently inaccessible because they want to purify the water that flows into the Ijse. You can, however, explore the small stream and the valley's structure via a small path in this corner, which is located a bit further from the main paths.

On the IJse, which springs from the Zoniënwoud, lies a series of five ponds. Until the 18th century, these ponds were owned by the priory of Groenendaal. After the dissolution of the monastery in 1783, maintenance of the ponds declined, causing them to silt up in the course of the 19th century. King Leopold II (hence the name Koningsvijvers gradually emerged) who harbored grand plans for the spatial development of his capital Brussels, set his sights on the ponds on the edge of the Zoniënwoud near Hoeilaart. For the construction of the ponds east of Sint-Jansberglaan, the land had to be purchased first. The Belgian state acquired the grounds in 1903, while work on the ponds had already started in 1902! Despite the enormous earthmoving required to excavate the silted-up ponds, the contractor delivered the works as early as January 1903. The new ponds would henceforth be known to the public as the Koningsvijvers. The intervention ensured that not only the ponds, but also the surrounding environment was added back to the Zoniënwoud. Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Ponds of the priory Groenendaal, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/310121

Known for its distinctive shape with three protrusions that resemble the toes of a goose foot.

A lovely walk sheltered from the wind and rain. Superb colours, leaves carpeting the ground...

Forests are central to the fight against the triple global crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. They cover nearly a third of the Earth’s land surface and are home to the vast majority of terrestrial biodiversity. Despite efforts to halt deforestation and restore degraded areas, forest cover continues to shrink. Since the end of the last great ice age, about 10,000 years ago, 57% of the Earth’s habitable land was covered by forests. Over the past 10,000 years, a third of the world’s forests have been lost, an area twice the size of the United States. Half of that loss has occurred in the past century. Forests are essential to combating climate change. They contain 662 billion tons of carbon, more than half of the world’s total carbon stock in soils and vegetation. Societies derive significant benefits from forests and are heavily dependent on them. It is estimated that more than half of global gross domestic product is heavily dependent on what ecosystems provide. The forestry sector contributes more than USD 1.52 trillion to global gross domestic product and employs 33 million people. Yet many people living close to forests do not benefit sufficiently from them. Although 75 percent of rural residents live within 1 km of a forest, they have little right to those forests. Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of all forests are state-owned, while 80 percent of people live in extreme poverty in rural areas. The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on forest value chains and trade in early 2020. Most sectors have recovered quickly, but the risk of future pandemics remains. Forest management is well-positioned to play a key role in a green recovery.

Super nice and very cultural place

Quiet and very pleasant spot with picnic bench

The Enfants Noyés is a nature reserve consisting of three large ponds located in a valley of the Sonian Forest in Brussels. The nature reserve consists of three different ponds: the Étang du Fer à Cheval, the Étang des Canards Sauvages and the Étang du Clos des Chênes.