Waterloo battlefield tour

Some hours to kill in yet another trip for a meeting in Brussels became the opportunity long desired to visit the Waterloo battlefield. Although some parts of the hike are on roads, most of it is among the fields of Plancenoit and a very good feeling of the battlefield orography can be gathered.
This is not a mountain hike but a hike among rolling fields that are much less flat that one first imagines. And to be there and understand how Wellington used this to his advantage, after having read about it so much, is really great. It is true that the building of the Lion's Mound changes the place a bit but in most of it one can still gather the true feeling of the physical hardship that must have been to the French troops to atack the English positions.
And then there is the nature. Mostly of farmed field, some woods, but rich in life. The dance of the kestrels on the sky or the running of the pheasants on the low grasses was impressive. As impressive was to be there, on this historical ground trying to revive the ghosts of a passed time.
This is a hike for hikers and history buffs. Since I am both this gave me twice as much pleasure...

This hike follows roughly the Promenade balisée n. 8 (The Lion) with some detours. But do not expect much of the marks or signage on the path. Do download a track and follow it. The walk is quite easy and can be finished in less than 4 h if you do not stop at the various museums and historical sites on the way. My suggestion is that one starts by stopping at the Lion's Mound museum to have a view of the battlefield and recall the history of the day, and buys the ticket with access to Hougoumont. But you can just walk around and have the same great day out just among the fields. Enjoy!

Logistics: To get there you can take the W bus from Brusells Midi, or the trains to Braine l'Alleud and from the railway station take the W bus to the mound. (Train is much faster in particular if you catch the IC).

More details about this hike on the site
https://www.discoveringbelgium.com/walking-the-battlefield-of-waterloo/
This is considered by Lonely Planet one of the best hikes in Belgium
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-hikes-in-belgium