Where to walk your dog in Brussels?

In Brussels the rules around walking your pets are the same for every green space in the region. Dogs are allowed if and only if they are kept on a leash. Regarding their presence in children’s playgrounds, a leash is mandatory.

Don’t be let down, Snowy will be able to feel free in certain areas that are especially reserved for that. So take hold of the leash and doggy clean-up bags, it’s time to take out that big dog of yours!

Free running zones

In certain green spaces, free running zones are marked off so that your Snowy can sniff around to his heart’s desire. There’s one condition, you must have very good control of your dog.

In the Jette commune, there are a good number of leash free areas. At the edge of Est du Bois de Dieleghem, two big authorized fields are set up to accommodate free running dogs.  Another zone measuring 300 meters long is available for Snowy at Parc de la Jeunesse, and Park Liebrecht also invites pups to play.

In Schaerbeek, Snowy will be able to lengthen his stride in the Duployer Square, in the Place de la Patrie and Albert Park (on the Guffen side.)

In Woluwe Park, two small valleys allow Scooby Doo, Clifford and all others to run free. Green panels mark off the leash free zones.

Until recently, dogs ran without a leash in Duden Park. Today, they have marked off three free running zones.

There are more free zones in Héronnière Park, Seny Park, Elisabeth Park, at the Cité modèle, Verregat Park, Cinquantenaire Park, and Marie José Park close to the start of Avenue Joseph Baeck.

Hours for no leashes

Good news! Some parks are experimenting with a new system of time slots during which Snowy can forget his leash. At Wolvendael Park, early in the morning and at night, dogs have the right to storm the lawn.

Two different schedules were fixed for the summer and winter. From April to September, leash free access will be allowed until 10 am and between 6 pm and 10 pm. From October to the end of the year, let Snowy run from 7:30 am to 10 am and from 4 pm to 8 pm.

At Laeken Park, an hour system is being tried as well.

Be extra careful in the Soignes Forest

In the Brussels region, the Soignes Forest calls for dog owners to have a certain level of discipline. Basically, in order to protect the wildlife and plants in the woods, Snowy is allowed to run free in certain areas (parts of Bois de la Cambre, the Rouge-Cloitre, Groenendaal, Tervuren Park), under the condition that he is completely under control. The forest reserves and the Natura zones 2000 are prohibited to dogs. Also, no one can let their dog go without having liability insurance.

Wherever you like to walk your dog, keep your eyes peeled for the panels that indicate leash free areas!