De Plas in Rotselaar: a family beach near Brussels
Located in Rotselaar (30 kilometers from Brussels), in the Flemish Brabant, the “de Plas” swimming area is the main attraction of the Ter Heide recreational domain. Accessible by train, bike or car, this natural site combines swimming, relaxation and sports activities in a green and peaceful setting.
The semi-circular swimming area stretches over approximately 230 meters of fine sandy beach. This supervised swimming zone is open from May to September depending on weather conditions, with paid access only on official opening days.
This artificial beach, created in the 1970s after sand was extracted for the construction of the E314 motorway, has gradually been developed to offer a space for relaxation, swimming, and outdoor recreation.
The Ter Heide domain also offers various other leisure opportunities: walking trails, running track, multisport facilities, surfing, supervised fishing, fitness route, and relaxation areas, perfect for an active or peaceful day in nature, just outside Brussels.
Lake formed in:
1975
Management type :
Municipal (Rotselaar)
Facilities and amenities – De Plas Beach
Artificial Beach of De Plas in Rotselaar
Infrastructure of the artificial beach:
Address and Contact – De Plas Beach
Address: Vakenstraat 20A, 3110 Rotselaar
Phone: +32 16 61 64 50
Email: sport@rotselaar.be
2025 Opening Hours – De Plas Beach
- Low season (May and June): opening days are announced in advance. Access to the beach and lawn is allowed between sunrise and sunset, but swimming is only permitted on designated days with lifeguard supervision (11:00 to 20:00). In 2025, the beach opened on Friday, June 27.
- High season (July and August): from June 27 and throughout July and August, the beach is open daily from 10:00 to 20:00, weather permitting.
- Last admission: 19:30.
- Exceptional closures: announced on the official Facebook page “De Plas van Rotselaar”.
Ticket Sales Information
Tickets for access to the De Plas swimming area are sold exclusively on-site, on the day of your visit, at the ticket counter located at the entrance of the domain.
- No online reservations: tickets cannot be purchased or reserved in advance via the internet.
- On-site payment: visitors pay directly at the counter during official opening hours (usually between 10:00 and 20:00 in high season).
- Identity check: residents of Rotselaar must present their ID card or Kids-ID to benefit from free entry.
- Discount eligibility: visitors arriving by bike, persons with disabilities, or groups must present valid proof to receive a reduced rate.
- Helpful tip: on busy days (sunny weekends), it’s recommended to arrive early, as capacity is limited and access may be temporarily suspended when full.
Tickets for access to the De Plas swimming area can only be purchased on-site, on the day of your visit, at the ticket counter located at the entrance of the domain.
- No online reservations: tickets cannot be purchased or reserved in advance via the internet.
- On-site payment: visitors pay directly at the entrance counter during official opening hours (typically between 10:00 and 20:00 in high season).
- Identity check: residents of Rotselaar must present their ID card or Kids-ID to benefit from free access.
- Specific discounts: visitors arriving by bike, persons with disabilities, or groups must present valid proof at the time of payment to benefit from a reduced rate.
- Practical tip: on busy days (sunny weekends), it is recommended to arrive early, as capacity is limited and access may be temporarily suspended if the beach reaches full capacity.
Admission Prices – De Plas Beach
| Category | Rate | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Residents of Rotselaar | Free | Upon presentation of ID card or Kids-ID at the “Inwoners” counter |
| Unemancipated minors partially residing in Rotselaar | Free | Registered in the national registry |
| Non-residents (adults) | €9 | Standard admission |
| Non-residents (children ≤ 5 years) | Free | |
| Non-residents arriving by bike | €6 | Upon presentation of proof at the counter |
| 10-entry pass (non-residents) | €80 | |
| Persons with disabilities | €6 | Upon presentation of a European Disability Card |
| Groups / associations (min. 10 people) | €5 / person | With supervision |
| Triathletes / licensed swimmers | €6 | Upon presentation of an official sports license |
Other Activities Available at the Ter Heide Domain
- Swimming in the De Plas zone (access via Vakenstraat).
- Surfing with Windsurfing de Winge Rotselaar (access via Vakenstraat).
- Fishing on designated platforms (access via Steenweg op Wezemaal) — allowed from June 1 to April 15, between sunrise and sunset, with a valid Flemish fishing permit.
- Hiking and cycling throughout the natural domain.
- Fitness trail: 14 simple exercises along a 600 m route to improve balance, strength, and endurance (can be done walking or running, alone or in groups).
- Exercise bench: near the fishing zone, suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Instruction panels explain each movement.
- Finnish track: a 1 km loop on natural ground near Sportoase De Toren.
- Multisport field: for football, basketball, and athletics, located next to Sportoase De Toren.
Water Quality
The water in the swimming zone is regularly monitored during the season by the Flemish Environment Agency (VMM) and the Belgian Soil Experts Service (BDB).
If cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are detected, swimming is prohibited for health and safety reasons.
Rules of the De Plas Swimming Zone
- Green flag: swimming is allowed and lifeguards are present.
- Red flag: swimming is prohibited.
- Access to the swimming, surfing, and fishing zones is prohibited between sunset and sunrise.
- Dogs are not allowed in the swimming zone and must be kept on a leash throughout the domain.
- Stereos and loud music are not permitted.
- Inflatables, boats, SUPs, kayaks, etc. are not allowed in the swimming and fishing zones.
- Prohibited behavior: presence of animals, alcohol consumption, glass, barbecues, or open fires.
- Compliance with the applicable politiereglement (police regulations) in the Ter Heide domain is required.
Accessibility – De Plas Beach in Rotselaar
- Address: Vakenstraat 20A, 3110 Rotselaar
- By bike or on foot: direct access via local cycling paths. Cyclists benefit from a reduced entry fee.
- By bus: line 14 (Heverlee – Aarschot) – stop at “Rotselaar De Toren”. Then a 10-minute walk via Sportoase De Toren.
- By train + bike: from Wezemaal station, use a Blue-bike rental to reach De Plas easily.
- By car:
- Main parking (free): Vakenstraat 18, directly at the entrance to the swimming area.
- Alternative parking (free): Sportoase De Toren, Torenstraat 115 – about an 8-minute walk from the domain.
