The Tour of Flanders by Bike
- From 969 € / pers.
- 7 days / 6 nights
- From April to October
- Departure : any day of the week
- Level : easy
- Electric bike available
- Luggage transport incl.
Highlights
- 3 iconic medieval cities in one trip : Ghent, Bruges and Ypres
- the many bike paths along the canals, on old towpaths
- the legendary spots of the famous Tour of Flanders
- the sandy beaches of the North Sea
- a easy route, almost entirely on quiet backroads and greenways
- The option to add a day trip to Brussels
Highlights :
- 3 iconic medieval cities in one trip: Ghent, Bruges, and Ypres
- the bike paths along the canals, on old towpaths
- the legendary spots of the famous Tour of Flanders
- the sandy beaches of the North Sea
- a easy route, almost entirely on quiet backroads or greenways
- the possibility to add a day trip to Brussels
From 969 € / pers.
- 7 days / 6 nights
- From April to October
- Departure : any day of the week
- Level : easy
- Electric bike available
- Luggage transfer included
FLANDERS BY BIKE
For many, Flanders is a true cycling paradise!
Its first great asset lies in the fact that it is home to some of the most beautiful medieval cities in Europe. Ghent and Bruges, the two jewels of Flanders, need no introduction, but Ypres also deserves a special mention. Magnificently restored to its former glory after being completely destroyed during the First World War, the city stands today as a powerful symbol of resilience. From Ghent, a day trip to Brussels is also possible, where the Grand Place ranks among the most beautiful squares in the world.
Secondly, a small country means short distances. Here, medieval cities sit side by side and are easily connected by your trusty modern-day steed.
As small as it may be, Flanders is also the “plat pays” (flat country) so beautifully sung by Jacques Brel. Cycling here has never been easier. While a few areas feature gentle hills — notably those hosting the famous Tour of Flanders — the landscape is mostly flat, allowing picturesque canals to crisscross the countryside in every direction. Many sections of the route follow these seemingly endless waterways.
Last but not least, Flanders is at the forefront of cycling culture. Cycle paths are everywhere, and along the canals, former towpaths have been converted into dedicated bike lanes. Cycling has become so popular that some paths, victims of their own success, have even been transformed into true cycling highways. At rush hour, they turn into an astonishing parade of cyclists of all kinds.
True to its reputation as the Kingdom of Cycling, Flanders is also a land of major cycling events, such as the legendary Tour of Flanders and its fearsome cobblestones.
This 5-day cycling loop takes you through the kingdom’s most iconic cities, its typical countryside, the sandy beaches of the North Sea, and its charming little villages.
Goeie reis!
DAY-BY-DAY PROGRAMME
Day 1: Arrival in Ypres
By train or by car, make your way to Ypres (Ieper), a resplendent medieval city whose appearance gives no hint that it was reduced to ashes just over a century ago. The famous “In Flanders Fields” Museum invites visitors to relive this dark chapter of history, reminding us why remembering is essential to avoid repeating it. In the evening, the Last Post ceremony, a moving tribute to the fallen of the Great War, echoes the tragic fate the city will never forget.
Day 2: Ypres – Kortrijk
37 km |
+110 m | ⏱︎ 2h38
Your Flemish adventure begins through gently rolling, bucolic countryside, along quiet country roads with very little traffic. Beneath their peaceful appearance, these lands were once the scene of some of the bloodiest battles of the First World War. The last witnesses of this apocalyptic era are the countless British, Canadian, American and German military cemeteries scattered across the region. A large shell crater, now transformed into a pond, still bears silent witness to the violence of the fighting.
By the end of the day, you reach Kortrijk. In the Middle Ages, it was a major textile centre, as evidenced by its belfry which still stands today. From this prosperous era, the city has also retained its famous Broel Towers and its charming beguinage, a delightful place to stroll. Today, the linen industry has successfully reinvented itself, and Kortrijk is now a modern and prosperous city, energised by its university and its role within the Lille–Tournai–Kortrijk Eurometropolis, the largest cross-border metropolitan area in Europe.
🚲 Sporty option (51 km | Elevation gain: 180 m | ⏱︎ 3h35):
For those who wish to extend the pleasure, a sporty variant offers an additional 14 km through gently rolling, scenic landscapes.
Day 3: Kortrijk – Ghent
68 km |
+110 m | ⏱︎ 4h41
You leave Kortrijk via one of the many Flemish “cycling highways”. Born here in Flanders, this concept allows commuters to reach city centres easily by bike. When these cycle paths cross roads, cars are the ones that must give way!
Gradually, you reach the Flemish Ardennes, cycling through landscapes that are broadcast around the world each year during the famous Tour of Flanders. You pass several iconic locations of this legendary race — without the pressure of competition. This slightly hillier region also rewards you with some stunning views.
You then arrive in the medieval town of Oudenaarde, renowned for its tapestries, much like Aubusson. Oudenaarde is also home to the Tour of Flanders Museum, a must for cycling enthusiasts.
Finally, you reach Ghent. A prosperous medieval textile city, it is often considered as beautiful as Bruges, though its historic centre is more compact. Canals also weave through the old town, giving it a peaceful atmosphere despite its economic vitality. Living somewhat in the shadow of its famous neighbour, Ghent is far less touristy and feels much less like an open-air museum. Yet its attractions are plentiful: the Castle of the Counts of Flanders, St Bavo’s Cathedral and its famous Ghent Altarpiece, the belfry, and the picturesque quays of Graslei and Korenlei, lined with stunning medieval façades.
🚲 Sporty option (73 km | Elevation gain: 260 m | ⏱︎ 5h15):
For those who don’t want to admire the hills of the Tour of Flanders from below, this option takes you up the most legendary climbs of the race: the Kwaremont, the Paterberg and the fearsome Koppenberg, with gradients reaching up to 20% on cobblestones!
Day 4: Ghent – Bruges
53 km |
+40 m | ⏱︎ 3h47
You leave one gem behind to reach another: today’s destination is Bruges. The route alternates between farmland, woodland and towpaths along canals. Along the way, you can admire Ryckevelde Castle.
And suddenly, there you are in Bruges! This iconic medieval city is one of the most beautiful and best preserved in the world. Not only does it appear untouched since the Middle Ages, but the sheer size of its historic centre is remarkable. Its countless canals give it a unique charm and have earned it the nickname “The Venice of the North”. While Bruges is undeniably very popular with visitors, the vastness of its old town still allows you to slip quietly back into medieval times.
Day 5: Loop to the North Sea
59 km |
+20 m | ⏱︎ 3h37
No tour of Flanders would be complete without a ride to the vast sandy beaches of the North Sea. You reach the coast by cycling along canals, shaded by elegant poplar trees. You are now in the famous polders, land gradually reclaimed from the sea during the Middle Ages. Lying below sea level, they were deliberately flooded during the First World War, creating a vast muddy barrier that halted the German advance. Today, the polders form a maze of small canals lined with cycle paths, to the delight of cyclists.
Along the way, you pass through charming villages such as Damme, Oostkerke and Sluis, the latter located in the Netherlands and easily recognised by its iconic windmill. Upon reaching the coast, you first cross the Zwin Nature Reserve, a miniature version of the Bay of the Somme, where many bird species can be observed in season. You then reach the seaside resort of Knokke-Le-Zoute, the “Saint-Tropez of Belgium”, where swimming, sunbathing and ice creams along the promenade await.
You then continue along the seafront before turning south and returning to Bruges via various canals.
☕ Relaxed option (41 km | Elevation gain: 20 m | ⏱︎ 2h36):
Instead of completing the full loop back to Bruges by bike, you can enjoy the rest of the afternoon by the sea and return to Bruges by train from Heist (approx. 21 minutes).
Day 6: Bruges – Ypres
68 km |
+70 m | ⏱︎ 4h43
Leaving Bruges, you cycle through a region rich in castles, passing close to those of Tilleghem, Tudor, Aertrycke and Wynendaele. While they cannot be visited, you ride right past them.
Further on, you cross the charming historic town of Diksmuide, which, like Ypres, was rebuilt almost identically after being completely destroyed during the First World War.
From Diksmuide, you follow a peaceful canal until you reach Ypres once again — the loop is complete!
Day 7: End of the tour
After breakfast, the end of your cycling adventure.
POSSIBLE EXTENSIONS
-
If you wish to spend more time exploring Ghent or Bruges, you may add an extra night in either city.
-
If you would also like to visit Brussels for a day before returning to Ghent in the evening (the Belgian capital is just 28 minutes away by train, with three departures per hour), simply add an extra night in Ghent when filling out the booking form.
-
If you wish to split the 68 km stage between Kortrijk and Ghent into two days, we can, on request, add an overnight stay in Oudenaarde, roughly halfway along the route.
ACCOMMODATION
Whatever comfort category you choose, we prioritise authentic, human-scale accommodation, offering comfort, friendliness and well-being. We also make sure they are well located: easily accessible by bike, and close to amenities and places of interest.
AVAILABLE COMFORT CATEGORIES
2/3★ hotels or equivalent guesthouses
Simple yet welcoming accommodation, selected for their hospitality and location.
Carefully selected 3★ hotels or charming guesthouses
A selection of addresses combining modern comfort and authenticity.
High-comfort 4★ hotels
Elegant accommodation combining refinement, comfort and high-end services.
Photos are provided as examples to illustrate the type of accommodation in each category.
Always included:
- Breakfast
- Private bathroom
- Bike storage
- Restaurant within walking distance
- Convenient location
BIKE OPTIONS
Whether you choose to rent a bike or bring your own, it is essential to have a bike suited both to the route and to your personal needs.
RENTAL BIKES
We offer good-quality trekking bikes and/or electric bikes, fully equipped with all essential accessories. Equipment for children is also available. However, we do not recommend this trip for children under 12, as although the terrain is flat, some stages exceed 60 km.
Hybrid / trekking bikes
Versatile bikes with at least 21 gears, making them ideal for tackling the few gentle slopes without excessive effort. Most bikes are from the Venturelli brand.
Electric bikes (E-bikes)
Norta or Das Original bikes, with a minimum 500 Wh battery. You can rely on a range of at least 70 kilometres with excellent comfort.
Child trailers
The route is also suitable for child trailers, which we also offer for hire.
Photos for information purposes only. Bikes subject to availability.
Accessories included:
- Smartphone holder
- Waterproof rear pannier
- Lock
- Repair kit
- Helmet(s) on request
IF YOU BRING YOUR OWN BIKE
Before departure, carefully check the condition of your bike: brakes, tyres, cassette,
derailleur, chain...
You may be far from assistance in the event of a mechanical issue!
Which bikes are suitable?
- Hybrid / trekking bike
- Mountain bike
- Gravel bike
- E-bike with good range
- City bike
- Road bike
💡 City bikes are more or less suitable if you do not choose the sporty variant of stage 2, which includes steep climbs. The rest of the itinerary does not necessarily require bikes with many gears, as gradients are never very steep.
As there are also a few short sections on unpaved paths, tyres that are too thin or too smooth are not ideal.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
Our trips focus on discovery and relaxation rather than physical performance.
We therefore adjust stage lengths according to terrain, path types and points of interest, ensuring
each day remains balanced, enjoyable and open to spontaneity.
STAGE LENGTH:
STANDARD ℹ️
➡️ Overall average of 40 to 60 km per day
➡️ Around 3 to 4 hours of cycling per day – max. 5
➡️ A pace suitable for most riders, combining cycling enjoyment with discoveries along the way.
💡 Distances may seem quite long compared to some of our other tours, but the terrain is very flat! It is also often possible to shorten a stage by train if needed.
PROFILE:
GENTLE ℹ️
➡️ Overall average elevation gain: less than 200 m per day
➡️ The route is generally very flat and accessible to all. Depending on the destination, a few
gentle climbs may occur, but they should not be an obstacle, even without training.
💡 A sporty variant allows the more adventurous to tackle the legendary climbs of the Tour of Flanders on stage 2: although it only adds 3 km, you should expect nearly 200 m of additional elevation gain!
⚡ To fully enjoy the route, even on short climbs, you may opt for an electric bike.
TYPE OF PATHS:
More than 65% of the route runs along greenways, towpaths beside canals and other dedicated cycle paths such as the famous “cycling motorways”. The rest of the time, you will ride on small country roads with very little traffic.
More than 95% of the route is asphalted, with only a few short sections on compact gravel or the famous cobblestones. No technical difficulties to report.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
⏱️ DURATION
7 days and 6 nights, including arrival and departure days. 5 days of cycling.
📅 POSSIBLE DEPARTURE DAYS
Every day from April to October
🗺️ TYPE OF ROUTE
Circular route. At the end of the trip, you return to your starting point.
📍 START AND END POINT
Start of the trip: Ypres
End of the trip: Ypres
🌦️ WHEN TO GO?
The weather is generally favourable from April to October.
The best period runs from May to September, when temperatures are most pleasant and sunshine generally outweighs unsettled weather. Please note that in July and August, some tourist hotspots can be quite busy.
In April and October, temperatures are usually pleasant as well, but you are not entirely safe from an unexpected cold spell.
🍽️ MEALS
Breakfasts are included.
Lunches and dinners are at your own discretion.
During the day, you can eat at local restaurants (you will find recommendations in our roadbook) or enjoy a picnic using supplies from local shops.
💡 For dinner, you will always find several restaurants within walking distance of your accommodation… unless the hotel already has its own restaurant! If you are travelling as a group, we can organise half-board.
🧳 LUGGAGE TRANSFER
Your luggage is transported from one accommodation to the next by one of our partners. You only carry your belongings for the day during the cycling stages. A pannier is provided with rental bikes.
If you prefer to carry your luggage in panniers, you will benefit from a discount.
🚩 GETTING THERE
BY TRAIN
Ypres is served by the SNCB railway network.
From Brussels-Midi, allow approx. 1h50 (direct train), and around 1h25 from Lille (one train every 2 hours, one change in Kortrijk).
Direct lines from:
You will find more information on train schedules on the SNCB website.
💡 There are high-speed trains to Lille from London, Paris, Nantes, Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille and Montpellier.
BY CAR
You can leave your vehicle free of charge in a public car park in the city centre for the duration of your trip. You will find more information in the roadbook.
📑 TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
To ensure you make the most of your adventure, we provide several practical and easy-to-use resources:
A roadbook (A5 booklet) written by us, including:
- Practical information
- A description of the route
- All necessary tourist information
- Restaurant recommendations
- Places to stock up on supplies
- Cultural information and anecdotes
- A list of bike repair shops located near the route
A route map
Our navigation app (with your GPS tracks)
- User-friendly app (a short tutorial will be sent to you if needed)
- Satellite navigation (works in airplane mode)
- Custom tracks between each accommodation
- Voice guidance
📞 INDEPENDENCE AND ASSISTANCE
You travel independently (unguided), with 7-day telephone assistance in case of any issues.
🛡️ INSURANCE
To ensure reimbursement of costs in case of trip cancellation or issues during your stay, you may take out cancellation insurance (CAP Explorer Cancellation) or assistance insurance (CAP Explorer Assistance). Learn more about insurance options.
🎒 WHAT TO BRING
A helmet, lock, repair kit, phone holder and waterproof rear pannier make up the basic equipment. If you rent a bike, these are included (helmets are available on request only).
For added comfort, we also recommend bringing the following specific accessories:
Waterproof overtrousers
Lightweight, waterproof, windproof and easy to put on, they protect against rain, water splashes and mud. Some models include gaiters that also cover your shoes.
External battery (power bank)
Useful for recharging your phone during lunch breaks: navigation consumes a lot of power, even in airplane mode. Recommended unless your battery is very high-capacity.
Budget: €10–20.
Cycling shorts or gel saddle cover
Padded cycling shorts improve comfort by absorbing shocks and reducing friction on longer rides. Alternatively, opt for a padded saddle cover.
Water bottle
More practical and sustainable than disposable bottles. Some models keep drinks cool for several hours thanks to insulated double walls.
Buff / neck warmer / beanie
Outside of summer, mornings can be cool, and you will be glad to have brought one along!
PRICES 2026
The price is calculated based on a room for 2 people. All rates are per person and subject to availability of the desired room type.| Formula | Standard | Comfort | Prestige | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low season | High season | Low season | High season | Low season | High season | |
| In double/twin room | 969 € | 1019 € | 1099 € | 1159 € | 1369 € | 1449 € |
| Single room supplement | + 380 € | + 400 € | + 390 € | + 410 € | + 390 € | + 410 € |
| Child discounts (in the same room as 2 full-paying adults) |
0-3 years: - 80% | 4-11 years: - 40% | 12-17 years: - 30% | |||||
| Group discounts | 6 - 11 persons: - 10% | 12+ persons: - 15% | |||||
| Extra nights (optional) | Standard | Comfort | Prestige | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low season | High season | Low season | High season | Low season | High season | ||
| Ghent | In double/twin room | 80 € | 90 € | 100 € | 110 € | 130 € | 140 € |
| In single room | 155 € | 175 € | 175 € | 195 € | 220 € | 240 € | |
| Bruges | In double/twin room | 80 € | 90 € | 100 € | 110 € | 130 € | 140 € |
| In single room | 155 € | 175 € | 175 € | 195 € | 220 € | 240 € | |
| Ypres | In double/twin room | 80 € | 90 € | 100 € | 110 € | 130 € | 140 € |
| In single room | 155 € | 175 € | 175 € | 195 € | 220 € | 240 € | |
💡 SEASONS
- Low season: 1/4 - 30/6 & 1/9 - 31/10
- High season: 1/7 - 31/08
| BIKE RENTAL (equipment included) | |
|---|---|
| Electric bike | 185 € |
| Trekking bike | 150 € |
| Child trailer | 90 € |
BASE PRICE INCLUDES
- Overnight stays in hotels or guesthouses of the chosen comfort category
- Breakfast at each accommodation
- Transport of your luggage between accommodations
- A detailed roadbook (A5 booklet + PDF), prepared by us during our reconnaissance trip
- GPS traces of the route via our navigation app
- A map of the route
- Luggage tags
- Telephone assistance 7 days a week
- Tourist taxes
- Booking fees
OPTIONS
- Rental bike(s)
- Single room supplement
- Extra night(s) in Ghent, Bruges or Ypres
- Optional insurance: cancellation and/or assistance
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Round-trip from your home to Ypres
- Lunches and dinners
- Entrance fees to tourist sites and other personal expenses
- Anything not included in “BASE PRICE INCLUDES”
SPECIAL CASES
- If you carry your own luggage, a discount is applied (see booking form). An extra pannier is provided if you rent a bike.
- Solo travellers: an additional logistical supplement applies on top of the single room supplement.
REVIEWS
Damien and Sabine, 53 and 52 years old"Great organisation, lovely routes, responsive and friendly team, highly recommended!!!" August 2025
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