7 cycling routes through the Scheldt Valley

This route starts in Ghent, which, since the opening of the Reep in 2018, is once again located at the confluence of the Lys and the Scheldt. It is the banks of the latter that we follow to cycle out of Ghent and explore the quiet outskirts of the city. You will pass by the castle villages of Destelbergen and Laarne, where the famous Castle of Laarne is worth a stop.

Another highlight is the Gentbrugse Meersen area of nature. The Scheldt meandered through here in the past, but in recent years, the area has been given back to nature. The result? An impressive marshy landscape, with which in addition to waterfowl, birds of prey and stilt-walkers, the people of Ghent are delighted. 

How much variety can you have on one 35-kilometre cycling route? This bike trip tries to prove it. Start with the pleasant bustle of Lake Donk in Berlare, and then end up in the vast countryside.

One of the most famous floodplains of the Scheldt is undoubtedly the Kalkense Meersen, which extends over no less than 950 hectares! From the Scheldt dyke, you have a great view of the area, but getting off your bike to explore it on foot via the hiking network is also worthwhile.

On this circuit, you start in the centre of Dendermonde and then explore the green surroundings, with pleasant villages such as Vlassenbroek and Mespelare.

Between Moerzeke and Baasrode, the Maiandros motor ferry safely carries pedestrians and cyclists across the Scheldt every half hour. Across the street, you can visit a unique piece of heritage: the shipyards of Baasrode. By the mid-18th century, Baasrode had nine ship carpentry yards, the last of which closed its doors in 1986. Today, Scheepswerven-Baasrode is among the best-preserved historic shipyards in Europe. The Province of East Flanders is building the heritage site into a fully-fledged centre for sailing heritage. The dry docks are home to a number of historic ships. Definitely worth a stop!

If you want to feel totally connected to the water, you're in the right place with the Paling cycling route. Do allow a little time for it, because you'll cross the water no less than four times by ferry: three times over the Scheldt, and once over the Durme. In return for waiting, you will be guided through some of the most beautiful areas of nature on the banks of the Scheldt and the Durme.

Foodies will also get their money's worth on this route, as you'll cycle right through a region known for its eel. Tasting can be done at several establishments along the way, including De Groenendijk, Het Scheldeoord and De Nieuwe Kreek.

On this circuit, you follow the Durme instead of the Scheldt. From Lokeren, where the Durme originates, you cycle on towards Tielrode, where it flows into the Scheldt. And the Durme is synonymous with beautiful areas of nature, with swaying reed beds and freshwater salt marshes. The Klein and Groot Broek and the Weijmeerbroek, for example, which were created as part of the Sigma Plan, are some unique samples of river nature.

The Ooievaar ('Stork') cycling route spoils nature-lovers as well as culture-lovers. Roosenberg Abbey is worth a stop. This modern abbey was built in 1975 and is an architectural gem. There is an exhibition running inside on the turbulent past of this community, which has existed since the 13th century.

We are gradually approaching Antwerp, and here the Scheldt only increases in grandeur. This is certainly the case in Rupelmonde, where both the Rupel and the Maritime Canal to Brussels flow into the river. All that water demands some impressive floodplains, with the Polders of Kruibeke being among the crown jewels.

The Polders of Kruibeke form the largest floodplain in Flanders. They are the ideal habitat for rare plant and animal species, and a few years ago, even the beaver returned to the area! This Sigma Plan is working wonders.

This last cycling route in River Park Scheldt Valley is a speciality in our range of routes. Firstly, it was not mapped out by cycling nodes. The Antwerp-Ghent Circular Route is a section of the Scheldt Route, one of Tourism Flanders' Iconic Routes with separate signage. These Icon Routes are long-distance cycling routes, perfect for multi-day trips. The 'real' Scheldt Route covers no less than 181 kilometres and follows the river from the French border to Antwerp.

The Antwerp-Ghent Route cuts a piece out of that Icon Route, along the very best the Scheldt has to offer between two top cities. Unlike our other routes, this one does not form a circuit, but you can always return by bike on the train.