Adventures in and beyond the city
In Flanders you can stroll through historic cities full of art and heritage and at the same time unwind in the innumerable castle gardens and green national parks. And you can do both from a bicycle! Get ready for a wonderful cycling adventure from the city to green spaces and back.
“It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best,” said Ernest Hemingway. Did he have Flanders in mind when he penned that sentence? It could well be. In Flanders, cyclists are at home. Historic art cities, rolling landscape, and picturesque spots make Flanders a dream setting for a cycling adventure — good for body, mind and Mother Earth. What’s not to love? Flanders’ Finest Cycle Routes will get you started. This superb collection of cycling routes shows you all the beauty Flanders has to offer. Here are some examples!
First, head to Antwerp, capital of cool for a heritage lover’s sustainable cycling adventure. The Antwerp highlights route takes you through this urban jungle from one cultural highlight to the next. From the dazzling Central Station, aka “the railway cathedral”, head into the city. At M HKA indulge in contemporary art, at FoMu in photography of the highest order. Meet Flemish Master and Antwerp’s greatest artist, Peter Paul Rubens, at the Rubenshuis and the Cathedral of our Lady. Discover the city’s abundant past at MAS, contemporary architectural icon The Port House, and much more. This route is aptly named — it’s packed with highlights.
Do you harbor a desire for nature? Ghent on a bike fills that need. This tour leads you through a city sometimes called Europe’s best-kept secret. Criss-cross this historic place on your bicycle from a natural area here to a heritage gem there. You’ll meet tens of thousands of birds in the Bourgoyen nature reserve and discover the lush greenery of the Gentbrugse Meersen. At the same time, you will be introduced to Jan van Eyck’ s mythical Ghent Altarpiece and stand face to face with the historic Castle of the Counts. This cycling adventure brings together many worlds.
This is just a small selection of what is on offer; the possibilities are endless. Choose from among 25 of Flanders’ Finest Cycling Routes, each with its own flavor and beauty.
The great thing is that a cycling holiday in Flanders doesn’t have to be complex at all. Want to explore several art cities one after the other? The Iconic Cycle Route shows you the way, just follow the signs along the way. A little too much mileage? No problem. Flanders is rich in heritage yet modest in size. The train can take you from A to B in the blink of an eye, and your bike can come along with you. The BikeOnTrain Journey Planner tells you which trains are best equipped for this, for example with lowered entrance steps or separate bicycle wagons.
A cycling adventure in Flanders: delightful, convenient and sustainable. Life can be simple sometimes.
