A cyclist’s haven with great food, charming villages, and rich heritage
Cycling is at the heart of Flanders. Famed for its legendary climbs like the cobbled Koppenberg and winding Oude Kwaremont, it’s a place where at any time of the year, you can hop on a bike and cycle through pastoral fields, villages filled with charm, and some of the region’s most fabled scenery. Above all, doing Flanders by bike upgrades your trip. Swapping cars and trains for a frame and two wheels gives you a totally different perspective of the region. You get to experience the peace of rural Belgium and see nature that’s unreachable except by bike, all while connecting with the outdoors and local life in a truly authentic way.
Go off-season to have Flanders to yourself
Want to glide over the legendary cobblestones of the Paterberg or the Koppenberg without the roaring crowds? Want to surround yourself with the quiet, lush beauty of the Flemish countryside? Going off-season and choosing a bike is the best way to do it. Swap the busy period for tranquility. Pedal in peace, take it slow, eat local delicacies in the villages you pass through. This is the kind of experience that will change you.
History by bike
All you need is your trusty bike to witness great history in Flanders. In fact, the region makes it super easy for people on cycling trips. Every time there’s a cultural point that’s worth your attention, you’ll find it marked as a “Fietsknooppunten,” a handy map of the entire region’s treasures. Create a route ahead of time that takes you to some of the best spots, including the medieval city of Geraardsbergen and its iconic Muur van Geraardsbergen, a climb that challenges even the toughest riders or the chapel honoring cycling legend Eddy Merckx, where you can reflect before tackling the infamous incline.
Culinary adventure
Some of Europe’s greatest flavors are found in Flanders. Make sure to add Oudenaarde to your list of cycling stops. This is where you can taste stoofvlees, a rich Flemish stew. Pair it with a regional beer like Kwaremont, which was fittingly named after the famous climb.
Themed routes for every cyclist
Some people like to go wherever the wind takes them. Others like a plan. If you fall into the latter category, check out nine curated and themed cycling routes that cater to a range of interests. Created by Flanders by Bike, they lean into different themes, including city art, which takes you through Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges, or nature, which brings you through some of the region’s most remarkable outdoors.
Transform yourself into a Fleming local
Becoming a Fleming is all about adopting local spirit. One way you can do that is by experiencing the Flandrien Challenge, a digital adventure that invites you to conquer iconic climbs and cobbled paths, earning your place among the cycling elite by completing each task within an allocated time. If you want to feel Flemish at heart, the best way to do it is by bike.
