Monte Marcella is unique in Europe; it is a resort with patented altitude rooms. This means that you can set the oxygen-poor level and the altitude at which you sleep. Ideal if you don’t want to travel too far for a high-altitude stage. Or if you want to live like a pro close by. Because this resort is aimed at that. And not only the stay is professional-worthy. The surroundings are also steeped in racing history. During our stay, in early January 2026, we will take you on some beautiful routes in the immediate vicinity. We would be happy to take you along to the bricks from Roubaix and the climbs of The Tour of Flanders!
Text: Thomas Bogaard – Photos Thomas Bogaard/Sander Kolsloot
Roubaix: “Incredible that those guys are going so hard here!”
Personally, I had never ridden the cobblestones of Roubaix before. I had done it in Flanders and that was already hard enough. Even then, I was riding a gravel bike with 38mm tires. Then I said with full conviction: “Roubaix, we’re never going to start there!” You’re standing in Orchies, 45 minutes’ drive from Monte Marcella on a grey day. Ready to spend the day riding over the cobblestones.
We drive out of the French village and right away it’s on with the Chemin des Prières. Fortunately, it’s manageable and I can get used to it quickly. But I immediately notice that this isn’t easy. It really takes effort to maintain your speed. It’s a skill that you have to develop. Because the slower you go the harder it is to get over the strip. It’s clear that this is going to be a tough day.
A small ray of sunlight
We continue our journey and the sun comes through the clouds a little, really the perfect weather for a day in Roubaix. High cloud cover with thick, dark gray clouds hanging lower. It fits perfectly with the desolate atmosphere of this region. Everything feels epic, but also very empty and deserted with a good pinch of nostalgia. You can see why they call this the hell of the north. I take it all in.
Soon the second stretch follows and the dream is over; there is actually a bend here. That is a bit scary, because this stretch clearly has worn-out tractor tracks; that means a high knee. I slow down, stand still, make the bend, but I still hit every stone and struggle to get back on track. But I am starting to get the hang of it. This is about giving up and enjoying at the same time.
Bos van Wallers – Trouee d’Arenberg
We continue on to the dreaded Wallers forest. There we first drive over the unfamiliar gravel roads. And these roads do not disappoint! If you’re here, you really have to try them out. Just like the Arenberg Creative Mine, If it’s open. If we’re there, we’re allowed to enter the grounds, provided we step off the bike. The buildings and installations are just as impressive as the tracks. It might be a moment of respite before we get a look at the main obstacle of the day, the Trouée d’Arenberg, just a stone’s throw from the mine. What a monster! On some sections you can really go hard, until you hit one of the bad sections. But where they are exactly is not easy to see, because despite having speed through the first part, you bounce off all sides. Even though we both ride with 45mm gravel tires, our bodies end up in a different place on this section. It’s logical that this is a 5-star race!
Slipping and twisting
Once we’ve ridden over the rocky and bumpy roads, we turn left at the end and start looking for more iconic landmarks and recognizable points in the landscape. Abandoned and dilapidated factories adorn our view after Pont Gibus. The desolate water towers at the ‘section John Degenkolb’, we take it all in. As we drive back to Orchies, one thing is clear: this was really awesome! It’s true, you have to have done this at least once; there’s no doubt about it anymore with me. Should I ride the entire route? Ask me that again later… Because Roubaix is crazy!
Right in the middle of the classics
During our stay in Ledegem, at Monte Marcella, After a relaxing day in the enormous common area, we can take another look at the photos. Editing the photos has already begun. We are having too much fun with a pasta made in the resort’s professional kitchen, and meanwhile we are letting the day pass by for a while. When we enter our high-ceilinged room later, we understand why top athletes, cycling teams and teams nest here to prepare for the classics. Because from Ledegem, just outside of Kortrijk, you are almost ideally positioned for the Flemish spring. From here you head west and come to Kemmel, where you can then continue via the Baneberg and Monteberg to the gravel paths. In Flanders fields it’s just around the corner.
If you go east (which we’re doing tomorrow), you’ll come across the gravel climbs of De Ronde, De Omloop, Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, the E3-Harelbeke (or Saxo bank) and Dwars door Vlaanderen. If you go south-east, you’ll be within 20 minutes of the gravel stages of Paris-Roubaix. What more do you want?
Spring in Flanders: count your blessings
Today we start in Zegelsem and set off towards the Kapelmuur. Holy ground awaits us once again. This time literally and figuratively. It’s still working again, a few clouds, but otherwise it’s blue and a lovely spring sunshine. Spring and the race are coming and we’re taking you along! From the start, it’s straight uphill with the Leberg, not to be underestimated with cold legs. We continue through to Oorloge on typical Flemish roads. Through the meadows and past the small villages we reach the second climb of the day. The narrow road takes us up and we turn and continue towards our next obstacle. Tenbosse awaits and does not disappoint; everything feels wonderfully Flemish here. We continue on to the highlight of the day. On to Geraardsbergen and the Kapelmuur!
Sacred ground
Geraardsbergen is quite lively on a Sunday morning. The bakers and small cafes are open for breakfast. But for us, there is something completely different on the menu. We drive past the large church on the market square. Here begins the climb of ‘the wall’. There are several ‘walls’ (Sormano, Hoei) in the cycling world with significance, but for the purists there is only one and that is in Geraardsbergen. The cobblestones really start on the market square. The cobblestones are still a bit wet, but with our gravel tires we have enough grip. We drive in a classic direction to the right and then the steep wall is our opponent. At the point where Cancellara once started and Tom Boonen parked, it is extra wet. From that point on, the chapel is almost in sight.
Close to the sky
Guided by the sun, we reach the chapel above. The wall of Geraardsbergen is officially also called the ‘chapel wall’. The chapel is beautifully illuminated by the spring sunshine. We decide to take a short break and go inside to have a look. If you are here and have the time, it is definitely a must-see, perhaps even a must-do for non-believers as well. It is a beautiful little Roman chapel. We really relax before continuing our journey. We descend slowly because, despite our gravel tires, descending over these gravel roads is still a bit of a challenge.
The fact that the race is still going on here is evident on the way back. We are behind two other cyclists, which immediately causes a look back. I don’t hide my intentions; a climb is coming and only one of us can get there first. Our colleagues have just taken a different turn; that’s where our self-made competition begins. But whoever says A must also ride off there with their fellow rider, so I keep going. Self-satisfied, I reach the top after my self-made “competition”. We laugh together as we head back to Zegelsem. Another short ride on the gravel roads around the church here because we can hardly say goodbye. Then we get into the car satisfied.
Monte Marcella is a perfect basecamp
After a stay that perfectly prepared us for the race in Monte Marcella and two wonderful days on the bike, we are heading back home. Monte Marcella is an ideal base for cyclists. The facilities are top-notch. Especially if you factor in that you can sleep at altitude. And if you also factor in that the area is full of cycling culture, you really have a great combination! We would love to come back again.
Routes from Monte Marcella
Questions & tips
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