RoutesHiking trails & RoutesBelgiumBrusselsVille De Bruxelles - Stad Brussel
Grand Place, Brussels – Brussels Town Hall loop from De Brouckère
RoutesHiking trails & RoutesBelgiumBrusselsVille De Bruxelles - Stad Brussel
Grand Place, Brussels – Brussels Town Hall loop from De Brouckère
Moderate
4.6
(44)
272
hikers
Grand Place, Brussels – Brussels Town Hall loop from De Brouckère
04:01
15.1km
160m
Hiking
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: April 22, 2026
Tips
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Grand-Place - Grote Markt
Waypoints
A
Start point
Train Station
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1
933 m
Cathedral of Sts. Michael and Gudula
Highlight • Religious Site
The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula (Fr. Cathédrale St. Michel et Gudule, ndl Sint-Michiels en Sint-Goedelekathedraal, often shortened to St. Gudule) is the main church of the city of Brussels and seat of the Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels ,
On the site of today's cathedral on the Treurenberg was already in the Carolingian period (8th century), a baptismal church dedicated to the Archangel Michael. With the transfer of the bones of Saint Gudula here in 1047, the patronage was extended accordingly. The present building was begun in 1226 and completed at the end of the 15th century with the completion of the 69 meter high towers. With the collection of the Archbishop's seat in 1962, the church was officially the title of a cathedral. As the national church of the Kingdom of Belgium, royal weddings, state funerals and similar ceremonies are often held in St. Gudula.
Source: Wikipedia
On the site of today's cathedral on the Treurenberg was already in the Carolingian period (8th century), a baptismal church dedicated to the Archangel Michael. With the transfer of the bones of Saint Gudula here in 1047, the patronage was extended accordingly. The present building was begun in 1226 and completed at the end of the 15th century with the completion of the 69 meter high towers. With the collection of the Archbishop's seat in 1962, the church was officially the title of a cathedral. As the national church of the Kingdom of Belgium, royal weddings, state funerals and similar ceremonies are often held in St. Gudula.
Source: Wikipedia
Translated by Google •
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2
1.06 km
Saint Michael and Saint Gudula Cathedral
Highlight • Religious Site
Look around, you will see that the cathedral is the only old building in the area. It initially resisted the bombardment of 1695. It then escaped another demolition, because it is at the foot of the cathedral, under the concrete pavement, that the north-south rail link passes, the work of which lasted 1902 to 1952 and during which a large part of the old town was demolished.
This old lady, however, suffers from the vibrations caused by the metro and the train which pass under its foundations. During its restoration, which lasted several decades, the buttresses which support the roof had spread so far that the whole threatened to collapse. The curator at the time brought in Sicilian miners to dig under the buttresses and give them a more stable foundation, which saved the cathedral.
This old lady, however, suffers from the vibrations caused by the metro and the train which pass under its foundations. During its restoration, which lasted several decades, the buttresses which support the roof had spread so far that the whole threatened to collapse. The curator at the time brought in Sicilian miners to dig under the buttresses and give them a more stable foundation, which saved the cathedral.
Translated by Google •
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3
7.03 km
View of the Mont des Arts Garden
Highlight • Viewpoint
At the top of the Kunstberg look at the Kunstberg garden. The garden was originally designed for the 1910 World Exhibition. Some adjustments were made in the 1950s and it became part of the urban complex of the Kunstberg.
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4
9.30 km
Palace of the Nation (Belgian Parliament)
Highlight • Historical Site
The entire area around the Place Royale and the Park of Brussels was redeveloped in neoclassical style after the serious fire that destroyed the Palace of the Dukes of Brabant in 1731, according to the plans of architect Barnabé Guimard. The current Palace of the Nation was part of this project.
The first stone was laid in 1779, during the reign of Empress Maria-Theresa of Austria. The palace was originally intended as the seat of the Sovereign Council of Brabant, the highest legal and administrative body of the Duchy of Brabant.
Under the French regime (1796 - 1815), courts were seated there. For a few years, part of the current Senate wing even housed a 'Hôtel des Étrangers'. Today we would call this a travellers' hotel.
During the Dutch regime (1815 - 1830), the legislative assembly - the States-General of the Netherlands - met alternately in The Hague and in this building. This was the first time it served as a parliament.
In 1830, the Provisional Government (= the first Belgian government) and the National Congress (= the first constitutional assembly) established themselves in the building. Since 1831, the Chamber of Representatives and the Senate have met here. Since then, the building has been called the 'Palace of the Nation'.
The building was ravaged by fire in 1820 and 1883. Due to these fires and the various purposes it has had since its inception, the building has been constantly modified on the inside. The exterior remained virtually untouched. During the restoration around 1920, the plastered and white-painted facade, in accordance with the neoclassical tradition, was chipped off.
Source: senate.be/virtualtour/natieplein-voorgevel_nl.html
The first stone was laid in 1779, during the reign of Empress Maria-Theresa of Austria. The palace was originally intended as the seat of the Sovereign Council of Brabant, the highest legal and administrative body of the Duchy of Brabant.
Under the French regime (1796 - 1815), courts were seated there. For a few years, part of the current Senate wing even housed a 'Hôtel des Étrangers'. Today we would call this a travellers' hotel.
During the Dutch regime (1815 - 1830), the legislative assembly - the States-General of the Netherlands - met alternately in The Hague and in this building. This was the first time it served as a parliament.
In 1830, the Provisional Government (= the first Belgian government) and the National Congress (= the first constitutional assembly) established themselves in the building. Since 1831, the Chamber of Representatives and the Senate have met here. Since then, the building has been called the 'Palace of the Nation'.
The building was ravaged by fire in 1820 and 1883. Due to these fires and the various purposes it has had since its inception, the building has been constantly modified on the inside. The exterior remained virtually untouched. During the restoration around 1920, the plastered and white-painted facade, in accordance with the neoclassical tradition, was chipped off.
Source: senate.be/virtualtour/natieplein-voorgevel_nl.html
Translated by Google •
Tip by
5
9.46 km
Brussels Park (Warandepark)
Highlight • Natural
North of the park is the building of the Belgian Parliament; south of the park lies the Royal Castle. The main path in the park connects the two with each other or the king always has the democratically elected representatives in mind.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
6
11.2 km
Grand Place, Brussels
Highlight • Historical Site
Very nice here. But better to come here without a bike.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
7
11.3 km
Brussels Town Hall
Highlight • Monument
The first architect of the town hall was Jacob van Tienen. He was a pupil of Jan van Osy, who was the founder of the Brabant Gothic style. The construction of the left wing and the belfry (lower part of the current tower) started in 1402 under the auspices of the wealthy families of the city. The town hall was built of calcareous sandstone from the Dilbeek quarries, a few kilometres away.
In a fortified room on the first floor, the municipal charters were most likely kept.[1] It is unclear whether the municipal bells were also hung there. During the turbulent period around the municipal uprising of 1420-1421, the town hall was stormed several times. There was factional strife among the patricians, social unrest among the crafts, an economic crisis in the cloth industry and dynastic problems in the duchy. This is probably why the belfry function lasted a few decades at most. The charters and privileges were transferred to the treasury rooms of the St. Gudula and St. Nicholas churches.[2]
Long balconies were provided in the front facade to allow events on the Grote Markt to be followed, such as the magnificent knightly tournaments and the joyous entries.[3] The privilege room in the tower served as a ducal lodge, four of whose windows looked out onto the square. This was where the prince and the city magistrate took their mutual oath during joyous entries. It was a space full of symbolism, where the preciously illuminated manuscripts of the Brabantsche Yeesten and the rhyming chronicle of Jan van Heelu were also kept.
In 1421, the craft nations conquered a place in the city magistrate, which may have partly motivated the expansion that was started in 1444. Charles the Bold laid the first stone of the right wing, which was certainly also intended to provide support for the heightening of the tower. The latter was a matter of prestige. The right wing is smaller than the left and is the work of Willem de Voghel, who also became the architect of the Magna Aula in 1452. The tower of the town hall, 96 meters high, was crowned from 1449 by Jan van Ruisbroeck, architect of Philip the Good.
Source: Wikipedia
In a fortified room on the first floor, the municipal charters were most likely kept.[1] It is unclear whether the municipal bells were also hung there. During the turbulent period around the municipal uprising of 1420-1421, the town hall was stormed several times. There was factional strife among the patricians, social unrest among the crafts, an economic crisis in the cloth industry and dynastic problems in the duchy. This is probably why the belfry function lasted a few decades at most. The charters and privileges were transferred to the treasury rooms of the St. Gudula and St. Nicholas churches.[2]
Long balconies were provided in the front facade to allow events on the Grote Markt to be followed, such as the magnificent knightly tournaments and the joyous entries.[3] The privilege room in the tower served as a ducal lodge, four of whose windows looked out onto the square. This was where the prince and the city magistrate took their mutual oath during joyous entries. It was a space full of symbolism, where the preciously illuminated manuscripts of the Brabantsche Yeesten and the rhyming chronicle of Jan van Heelu were also kept.
In 1421, the craft nations conquered a place in the city magistrate, which may have partly motivated the expansion that was started in 1444. Charles the Bold laid the first stone of the right wing, which was certainly also intended to provide support for the heightening of the tower. The latter was a matter of prestige. The right wing is smaller than the left and is the work of Willem de Voghel, who also became the architect of the Magna Aula in 1452. The tower of the town hall, 96 meters high, was crowned from 1449 by Jan van Ruisbroeck, architect of Philip the Good.
Source: Wikipedia
Translated by Google •
Tip by
8
11.3 km
Grand Place (Grote Markt), Brussels
Highlight • Historical Site
The Grand Place, known as Grand-Place in French, is the bustling heart of the Belgian capital Brussels and an absolutely iconic symbol of the city. The square is rich in history and beautiful architecture, of which the Gothic town hall and impressive baroque closed facades are some of the highlights. The harmonious mix of old buildings with their unique designs gives the Grand Place an enchanting character and rightly so it is one of the most admired squares in Europe.
In 1998, the Grand Place, along with other architectural treasures, was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit to this beautiful square is an absolute must for any traveler to Brussels.
In 1998, the Grand Place, along with other architectural treasures, was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit to this beautiful square is an absolute must for any traveler to Brussels.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
B
15.1 km
End point
Train Station
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
8.00 km
3.19 km
1.62 km
1.56 km
725 m
Surfaces
11.5 km
2.39 km
975 m
217 m
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Elevation
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Highest point (70 m)
Lowest point (20 m)
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Weather
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Sunday 10 May
11°C
5°C
61 %
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Max wind speed: 16.0 km/h
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