BELGIUM: The Urban Trail Series 2026

Have you heard of the Urban Trail Series Belgium? It really is the best way to see a city.....  

An Urban Trail is an experiential running event where participants — whether walkers, joggers or runners and anything in between — follow a mapped route ranging between 7 and 13km that takes them through streets, hidden alleys, historic sites and even inside notable buildings in towns and cities across the country.

Over the past two years, we as a family, including our (then) 8 and 9 year old daughter have thoroughly enjoyed these events.

This year, the series calendar includes major dates such as:

Brussels: 28 June 2026 — discover the Belgian capital’s heritage on foot in distances typically ranging from around 7 km to 12 km.
Ghent: 25 October 2026 — another chance to experience one of Flanders’ most historic cities in a uniquely engaging way.
Antwerp: 15 November 2026 — weaving through landmark locations in the port city.

Mechelen: 12 December 2026 — a night-time event closing out the series in this scenic city north of Brussels.

Having participated in the Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp events, I can honestly say they are thoroughly enjoyable and truly unique and we are looking forward to ending our Belgian stay with Brussels Urban Trail 2026.

In each event in the series you will see the cities as you’ve never seen them before — running or walking along routes that pass theatres, museums, tunnels, stadia and other urban treasures, with a focus on atmosphere and discovery rather than competition. 

Complete with Hydration stations, waved start times and festive post-run vibes these events are welcoming for a wide range of ages and fitness levels. It is no wonder that Urban Trails have become a distinctive and popular fixture in Belgium’s outdoor activity culture; encouraging people to be active, exploring familiar cities in new ways, and enjoying the blend of urban heritage and sporting fun throughout the year.

See you in Brussels!

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE