The most popular cycling routes in East Flanders

Between Ghent and Deinze, the Lys region is at its most beautiful. Grassy green fields are cut in half by that picturesque winding watercourse: the Lys. On each bank, you can admire beautiful natural sights, lovely villages and breathtaking castles. No wonder that one of this country's most successful art movements – the Latem School – was rooted with both feet in this soil.

Art, architecture and history

A visit to one of the museums on your trip can do wonders. On this cycling route, you will encounter the Museum of Deinze and the Lys region, the Gust De Smet Museum and the D'Hondt-Dhaenens Museum. Do pop in, because the works of Flemish painters from the Lys region will inspire you right away.

Seen enough art for a while? Then switch smoothly to architecture and history. For example, you'll cheerfully cycle past Ooidonk Castle, an elegant Renaissance castle in a fantastic park. But Astene Lock, a historic drawbridge with an adjoining café, is also highly recommended.

Scheldeland is not just a region full of water, rivers and grassy green banks. The surroundings are also dotted with impressive castles, where lords and ladies of standing once hosted lavish banquets as rulers of their counties. Around those castles: even more impressive castle gardens, cared for down to the last detail, stand glittering in the landscape.

You'll start your 49-kilometre bike ride in Destelbergen, then soon bump into Beervelde Castle. Garden days are held here twice a year. This event attracts thousands of flower and garden-lovers and takes place in the building's lush park garden.

Once owned by the iconic Ghent mayor Charles de Kerckhove – of the avenue of the same name in the Artevelde City – this estate is now a landmark. Today, it is occupied by his grandson.

step inside a real castle

Next stop: the Castle of Laarne. But not before cycling past the Kalkense Meersen, a mighty natural area where you can hike for hours. Arrived in Laarne? You immediately notice that this castle is a gem of its kind. You can even take a look inside. The collection of art, furniture and silver is unsurpassed.

During the last part of your trip, you will cycle past the castles of Destelbergen and Heusden. These are hidden in the greenery and answer to names such as Beukenhof and Klaverken.  Time for a generous bike ride? Then enjoy the Castles Route in Scheldeland to the full.

Do you remember Reynaert the Fox? This legendary fox was the protagonist of his own legend: a cunning and clever animal who outwitted everyone. But there were also some other characters who added some spice to the story. One of them was Canteclaer, the rooster. He gave his name to this cycling route, which guides you through the stubborn Waasland region.

You start in Stekene. It then continues for 46 kilometres past towns with some character, cosy villages and overwhelming natural beauty. First part of the trip: a little journey along the charming Stekense Vaart, with its swaying rows of trees and babbling stream. By the way, both banks are peaceful areas. So don't shout too loudly.

Area of nature on old abbey land

After that, you'll be staying in a natural setting, in the Fondatie van Boudelo. 800 years ago, an abbey stood here; nothing is left of it today. And this is exactly what you need: peace, greenery and tranquillity. Riding a little further on, you will encounter the protected Moervaartmeersen. These brightly coloured marshes flank the Moervaart and are the bustling home of countless dragonflies and amphibians.

Next stop: the Daknamse Bossen – an amazing forest that invites you to take a nice nap under a tree. Or to take a walk, of course.

Small Waas villages

Feel free to stop in Lokeren, too, to munch on a typical horse sausage. Also on the menu: the villages of Daknam and Eksaarde Village, after which you continue on to the Linie, another peaceful area, and can find ultimate peace at the Kruiskapel.

This pilgrimage chapel is surrounded by lush greenery and will undoubtedly bring pure peace to your human heart. And if not, you can always pop into the local catering establishments. That also has its peaceful effects.

The oldest city in Flanders is known as the 'gateway to the Flemish Ardennes' and is both loved and dreaded by cycling enthusiasts. Every year, lesser cycling pros attempt to master the slippery cobblestones of the Muur van Geraardsbergen (Giesbaargen in the local dialect).

Cycling through Flanders’ Most Beautiful Landscape

You start the route in Geraardsbergen and ride towards Hemelveerdegem, a village with the most authentic village square in the country. The village centre is even a protected village landmark. A little further on, in Sint-Ankelinks, is an orientation table in the cemetery that gives you a nice view of the Dender valley. In clear weather, you can recognise Geraardsbergen's Oudenberg Chapel. 

Dendervallei (Dender valley)

Between Ninove and Geraardsbergen, the Dender is at its most beautiful. Dender valley's Ninove nature reserve extends from Ninove to Zandbergen as an elongated ribbon on the left bank of the Dender. The marshy landscape alternates between wooded and open spaces and the river is at its most beautiful there. During the winter, the area provides a natural buffer against flooding. In early spring, unusual flowers and plants colour the hayfields beautifully in yellow and pink.

Mattentaarten

A visit to Geraardsbergen is not complete without a mattentaart in your belly. The recipe dates back to the 16th century and was invented by local farmers to get rid of excess milk. The result is a delicacy recognised as a European regional product that gave rise to the creation of the Order of the Mattentaart. You can debate for hours in Geraardsbergen about who bakes the best mattentaarten. The best way to find out? In Geraardsbergen and its surrounding villages, there are numerous bakeries that bake mattentaarten.