9 Bike routes through Flanders (Belgium)

If you are fond of cyclingI'm sure you know that Belgium It is one of the best countries in Europe for enjoying bicycle routes.

And if you have not yet made a tourism trip by bike, perhaps you will be encouraged to plan one to that European country to visit some of the 9 iconic cycling routes which offers the Flanders region to know its best attractions.

Indeed, since Flanders Tourism They offer us a wide variety of cycling routes that allow you to discover the most interesting areas of this Belgian region, and whose starting cities you can easily travel by train from the airport.

With different levels of difficulty and length, from 60 kilometers for the shortest, to almost 1.000 for the one that links the different proposed routes.

Cycle touring route through Flanders in Belgium

So, for example, the Route of the Coast, 85 kilometers long, allows you to enjoy the landscapes of the North Sea, walk along its beaches and dunes, and pass through places like Ostend.

Along the easternmost slope of this Belgian region runs the Meuse Route, 63 kilometers long, during which you will be able to see several historic villages.

In this cycle route that follows the course of Meuse river, it stands out Oud-Rekem, regarded as the most beautiful town in Flanders, and Maaseik, with its picturesque Plaza Mayor.

La Route of the Great War Front spreads across the west flanders on a 100-kilometer route during which you can see the landscapes where the trench warfare took place in the World War I.

On this route there are bunkers, wells, trenches and underground tunnels, and you can also see the impressive military cemeteries.

The proposed route takes you from Nieuwpoort in the North Sea, to bladder.

Another alternative you have is the Kempen Route, 213 kilometers, which runs through the northeast Flanders.

This bicycle route combines landscapes with forests, lakes and dunes like those of the Sahara, as well as industrial heritage by following an old coal railway line, passing through places such as the city of Genk.

For its part, the Scheldt Route It also follows the course of a river, and in its 181 kilometers you will have to cross it on ferries and you will be able to visit cities like Oudenaarde, Ghent o Antwerp.

Likewise, during a stay in Brussels You also have the possibility of making a bicycle route through various landscapes where you will also see castles.

La Green Belt Route It offers you a circular route of 126 kilometers which surrounds the Belgian capital.

And if you are a great practitioner of cycling and you dare to take long journeys, you have the Hills Route, which, with 459 kilometers, runs through various hilly landscapes of southern Flanders.

On this route you will pass through various regions such as Feed, Haspengouw, HagelandAs well as Flemish Ardennes y Hill country, and during it you will get to know the most typical taverns.

Cycle route of the Cities of Art in Flanders

Now, what will catch your attention travel to the region of Flanders Possibly it is getting to know its beautiful and artistic cities, such as Bruges or Ghent.

You can combine this objective perfectly with your hobby of cycling, and for this you have what is known as Art Cities Route, with a total route of 342 kilometers.

This route starts from the Belgian capital, Brussels, to pass through Leuven, Mechelen y Antwerp, reach Ghent y Witches, to end on the coast of North Sea, riding a Ostend.

During your stay in Brussels You will be able to see places as emblematic as the Grand Place, declared monumental complex Heritage, the heart of the city and one of the most beautiful corners of Belgium.

You can also visit their Gothic cathedral, follow the Art Noveau Route seeing buildings of said architectural style, or the Comic Route.

On your bicycle route, the first stage will be Leuven, city with a historic university tradition which is located just 30 kilometers from the capital.

There you will see its impressive gothic town hall and its charming and surprising Great Beguinage.

In the next stage, the city of Mechelen, just 25 kilometers from Leuven, you should walk through its Large square, where the cathedral and town hall buildings stand out.

On visits like Margaret of Austria's palace or Van Busleyden Palace Museum you will be able to know the history of the incorporation of Mechelen al French Duchy of Burgundy, in the 15th century, which has marked the history of this city.

During this cycle tourism route, you will arrive at Antwerp, the second most populated city in Belgium, and the birthplace of one of the most important Flemish painters, Rubens.

Among other places, in Antwerp you should visit their Groenplaats with its imposing Gothic cathedral.

From this city, after 60 kilometers of bicycle route, you will arrive at Ghent, another of the Cities of Art.

There are many places that you will see during your visit of Ghent, whose iconic image you will have from the San Miguel bridge.

Notable corners to visit are Graslei and Korenlei docks located on both banks of the main canal of the city, as well as the Church of San Nicolás, Municipal Bell Tower and Cathedral of San Bavón.

Inside the cathedral you can see the great artistic work of the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb.

En Ghent You should not miss visiting the castle of the Counts of Flanders.

And after a journey of 60 kilometers, you will arrive at the city of WitchesWithout a doubt, one of the places top of this cycling route.

You sure know that Witches is one of most beautiful cities in Europe, and there are many attractions it has for your visit.

The heart of it will be the market squares and the Castle, with corners as interesting as the building of the Town hall or the Bell tower.

In Bruges canals you find corners with great charm, such as Dock of the Rosary or Saint Boniface Bridge.

From the artistic point of view, what stands out in Bruges is the church of our lady with the sculpture of Miguel Angel known as the Madonna of Bruges, and the old Hospital of San Juan, now a museum housing treasures from the painters called Flemish Primitives.

Other notable places are the Groeninge museum, which brings together six centuries of Belgian plastic arts, from Jan van Eyck a Magritte, as well as the Concert Hall, an auditorium that, in addition to its renowned dance and concert program, offers an itinerary of works of art and architecture through the building.

Finally, as we have mentioned, the bicycle route through Flanders You will finish it by reaching the shores of the North Sea, in the city of Ostend.