The Tour of Flanders on a bicycle in 7 days

Discover the charming capital of Belgium and Europe. Stroll through the small historic streets and Jugendstil-style galleries. Sit in the shade of the Grand Place to sip a cold beer, admire the city’s landmark: Manneken Pis, or stroll through the European Quarter.
Taste Belgian specialties: chicory gratin, Liègoise boulets, gray shrimp croquettes, Flemish stew, "stoemp" with sausage...

You leave the city center of Brussels towards the famous Atomium, built for the 1958 Universal Exhibition. Don’t hesitate to visit this bizarre building, the view from the highest ball is exceptional.

Then you take cycle paths and even fast cycle routes - so called cycle highways.

Every year in February or March, charming Aalst transforms into a big folk festival during carnival. Thousands of people then descended on this small town on the Dendre river.

You leave Aalst behind and cross the Flemish countryside until you find the Scheldt river. A towpath guides you to the city center of Ghent (Gent).

This hidden gem is truly a marvel. You will find yourself in one of the richest and most impressive medieval European cities. Ghent is worth an extra day to visit, with too many sites to discover. You can visit the castle of the counts (Gravensteen), the belfry, the Gruut brewery, the Temmerman confectionery, and of course "The Ghent Altarpiece" a masterpiece of Flemish primitive painting, painted by the van Eyck brothers .

Today you will cycle mainly along the canal from Ghent to Bruges.

These cities were once each other’s biggest competitors, when Flanders dominated the European economy. Bruges had its seaport and Flemish wool was exported all over the world.

Bruges is truly a marvel. The city center is understandably flooded with tourists. You are lucky and stay the night. In the evening, you’ll have the city all to yourself.

This is the longest stage of your trip, but don’t panic, the stage is largely flat.

You cycle through the Flemish countryside, a region where more pigs live than people. The small country roads are well maintained and there is little traffic.

Kortrijk is unknown, but worth a stop. The city center still reflects the wealth of the 19th century linen industry. You can visit the Broel towers or climb the tower of the Saint-Martin church (free) for a magnificent panorama.

From Kortrijk to Oudenaarde is an easy stage, along a canal and the Scheldt river.

This is the region where modern gladiators fight on their carbon horses for death or gladioli : the Tour of Flanders passes through this region. You can climb famous hills like the Koppenberg, the Paterberg and the Kwaremont (if you dare). Be careful, it seems easy, these are short slopes of a maximum of one kilometer, but make no mistake, they are steep and strewn with bad cobblestones. This optional detour adds 10 km and 270 m of climbing to the stage.

Oudenaarde will welcome you with open arms and a fresh glass of beer. You can visit the museum of the Tour of Flanders and have your photo taken with Tom Boonen, Tadej Pogacar or Matthieu van der Poel.

You leave Oudenaarde along the Scheldt and then turn towards Geraardsbergen.

During this stage there are a few gentle slopes and a bit of cobblestone, but the stage is not too hard.
For those who really didn’t find it hard enough, there is a little optional surprise at the end, about 70 meters high : the "Wall of Geraardsbergen" can be climbed to the summit (the chapel).
Geraardsbergen itself is a pleasant little town which is flooded several times a year by cyclists and their supporters. In Geraardsbergen, you will also find Brussels’ biggest competitor : Manneken Pis, the one and only according to the locals.
After this stage, you are entitled to a specialty that can only be made in and around this city: maton cake, a real treat.

This last step isn’t the easiest, but you’ve had a whole week of practice by now.

You cycle through the Pajottenland, a region known for its hop cultivation. The region’s beers get their aroma from this particular plant.
There are a few short, steep slopes, but they don’t resemble the terror of the Flemish Ardennes at all. The roads are well maintained and there is little traffic.

You arrive in Brussels centre via a secure cycle path.

Your trip is over, but that doesn’t mean you have to return home immediately. You can extend your trip and visit this bustling city a little longer.