Cycling in Belgium
The land of the Classics - of chips, but also of racing history and painful climbs
Belgium is Europe's cycling mecca. Every spring, the roads fill up with riders who want to relive the classics. Who want to ride the cobblestones out of the ground, in the footsteps of Merckx, De Vlaeminck, Gilbert and Tom Boonen. But also the roads in Flemish Brabant, Limburg and, of course, Wallonia are food for real cycling fans, road bike, or gravel
The region
Flanders is cycling in Belgium and Belgium means cycling in Flanders. The cobbles from the spring classics, the Muur van Geraardsbergen, the Bosberg, the Molenberg, the Oude Kwaremont and the Pater. It's all part of it. In fact, you must have been there to have experienced real cycling life. At least, if you ask a Fleming. Yet you will have to look a bit wider, because not only the Flemish Ardennes, but also the region of Gent-Wevelgem (with the Monteberg, Baneberg and the Kemmel) are beautiful.
Go a little further south and you'll find yourself in the more rugged Wallonia. Ardennes anyone? The Stockeu, Cote de Wanne, the Rosier but also that damned Redoute.
Further south around La Roche and Houffalize you can do some great cycling, including off-road.
In Limburg, you'll find all the 'cycling in and cycling through' varieties. The mining trails, the water, the trees, across the moors. It's ideal for graveling too. Just like in Flemish Brabant, where you get a bit and mix of everything.
In short: Belgium is a cycling destination par excellence.
Highlights Cycling in Belgium
One of the most popular cycling destinations in Belgium is Flanders and especially the region around Oudenaarde. This is where you will find the centre of the Tour of Flanders.
Furthermore, in Belgium you will find the heart of the race. not only the cycling museum KOERS in Roeselare, but also all the famous climbs and routes from The Tour of Flanders. All of which start around or in Oudenaarde.
Ypres, too, is often race and ball. There you can find the beautiful routes of In Flanders Fields, or the E3 Harelbeke or if you are near Kortrijk the Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne routes. There is a lot of racing history to be found.
The following highlights are must-see rides:
- The Wall of Geraardsbergen
- The Old Quartermont
- Paterberg
- Koppenberg
- Plugstreets
- Baneberg
- The ‘cycling through’ collection in Belgian Limburg
- the routes around Leuven (known from the 2021 World Cup) including the Smeysberg
- A geek thingy: the tunnel under the river Scheldt near Antwerp
- La Redoute
- Stockeu with the monument of Eddy Merckx
- Cote de Rosier -> a beautiful training climb
- Along the Hautes Fagnes reservoirs (also great for graveling in winter!)
What to look out for when cycling in Belgium?
When planning a cycling holiday in Belgium, it is important to consider the time of year where. Spring and especially around the spring classics is the time to go. (March-May) but also after that, in summer and autumn (September-October) you can do some very beautiful cycling in the region.
The Ardennes can sometimes be wet and very cold, especially still in the months of March and April, but also as early as October. The other parts of Belgium are similar to the Dutch climate, so then it's a bit of planning and searching.
Recent Articles
Here you will find our latest articles on cycling and cycling routes in Belgium. Tips, tricks and undiscovered areas.
How do I get there?
Belgium can be reached in several ways. The car is a favourite with many Dutch cyclists. Because the roads towards Belgium are easy, although the road surface quality is sometimes a bit disappointing
Train: Belgium and trains are not necessarily a happy marriage. As long as you don't deviate too much from the Rotterdam-Antwerp-Brussels-Lille or Rotterdam-Antwerp-Ghent line then you'll be fine. Wallonia is not known for its good train connections.
Bike: Although it is not immediately the most logical option, you can easily cycle to Flanders, for example. But yes, if your goal is to do all the climbs from 'the Ronde' then you better go by another means of transport
Routes
On our Komoot page, you will find a lot of great routes in the Belgian country. Some in Flanders, some in Wallonia and everything in between
Bicycle-friendly accommodation
In Belgium, you will find a wealth of cycling-friendly accommodation. In Flanders, you have lots of accommodation with a cycling theme, but you will also find several good options in Wallonia. We list some of them. On the map you will find more tips and highlights and the hotels are marked with a special marker.
Cycling-friendly hotels in Flanders
– Flandrien Hotel - Parike: in the heart of the Ronde, close to Geraardsbergen and all the great climbs
– Bergs & Cobbles B&B - In the middle of the Maarkedal, this is a good base for the cobbled climbs and the best of De Ronde
– Cafe Coureur Borgloon - here everything breathes course, in the Limburg region
– Martin's Rental Agency - this is Tadej Pogacar's favourite hotel when he rides the Gold Race and or L-B-L. Not a specific cycling hotel, but a top location to stay.
– Oudenaarde Hotel - This is in the middle of Oudenaarde, near the Centre of the Tour of Flanders. this is where it happens and it is a ‘heaven’ for cyclists.
Wallonia
There are also many cycling-friendly accommodations in Wallonia. One of the best known is:
– Le Coffee Ride - Stavelot: this is a real cycling accommodation, run by cyclist Jeroen van Schelven. The big drawback: it is only open on weekends.