As we all know, a family bike ride in Brussels can quickly become a headache. But there is one route that changes everything — a 14-kilometre ribbon of asphalt, completely separate from traffic, that follows the canal from Anderlecht to Halle.
What is the RAVeL?
The Réseau Autonome de Voies Lentes (RAVeL, or Autonomous Network of Slow Ways) is a Walloon and Brussels network of paths reserved for pedestrians, cyclists, people with reduced mobility and horse riders. Managed by [Bruxelles Mobilité](/articles/avenue-des-croix-du-feu-laeken-and-noh-to-breathe-again-with-new-green-boulevard-1d8e1f "A Breath of Fresh Air for Laeken and NOH’s New Green Boulevard") in the capital, it guarantees one precious thing: zero cars.
The star section: Brussels–Halle
Starting from the Béco basin (Tour & Taxis), follow the canal southwards. You will cross Anderlecht and Forest, then leave the Brussels Region to enter Flemish Brabant. At the end of the route lies the pretty town of Halle and its famous basilica.
- Distance: 14 km one-way (28 km return), or shorter sections are possible.
- Elevation: Almost zero — the canal naturally follows the terrain.
- Surface: Smooth asphalt suitable for small wheels.
- Time: 1 hour one-way at a leisurely pace, perfect for children aged 6 and over.
No bike? No problem.
Along the route, there are more than 25 Villo! stations and dozens of free-floating bikes available via Villo! or Bolt. Expect to pay around €3 for a day with a classic Villo!. For families, a shared cargo bike is available from Cambio (only within the Brussels-Capital Region, so not for riding all the way to Halle) or through certain bike shops in the Dansaert district.
The stops that make it so charming
Four stops we love:
- Tour & Taxis — starting point, Sunday flea market and restaurants at the Wolf market.
- Anderlecht / Cureghem — street art along the canal.
- Forest / Wiels — a coffee break at the contemporary art centre.
- Lot and Halle — a picnic on the banks of the Senne.
Safety and common sense
Bruxelles Mobilité recommends helmets for children, a reflective vest and some water. The locks are secured, but keep an eye on younger children near the water. And if you get tired? There’s a direct train from Halle to Bruxelles-Midi in 12 minutes; bikes travel with a supplement of €3 per single journey off-peak, at weekends and on public holidays (€5 at peak times); a folding bike travels free when folded; bike spaces are limited (SNCB fares checked on 2 October 2026).
This Sunday: no traffic jams, no emissions, no stress. Just the canal, the wind in the spokes and the children’s smiles.
🔗 Verifiable sources & links
- 🚲 Bruxelles Mobilité — Itinéraires cyclables et RAVeL
- 🅿️ Villo! — Vélos en libre-service à Bruxelles
- 🚆 SNCB — Transport de vélos
- 🌍 SPW Mobilité — Réseau RAVeL Wallonie
— Le Scout BXL, for BXLpositive.news
