Belgium Cycle - Brussels to Bruges
Belgium Cycle - Brussels to Bruges
Belgium Cycle - Brussels to Bruges
8 Days Starting in Brussels, Belgium and ending in Bruges, Belgium
Visiting: Brussels, Mechelen, Antwerp, Dendermonde, Ghent, Meetjesland, Bruges
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BUB
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
During this week long cycle holiday, follow the Flemish Masters to the most beautiful towns in Belgium and admire their artworks in the Old Masters Museum in Brussels, St. Bavo Cathedral in Ghent, KMKSA (Royal Museum of Fine Arts) and Rubens House in Antwerp, St. John’s Church in Mechelen and Groeninge Museum in Bruges. In between towns, there will be ample opportunity to explore the special pockets of this enchanting country. Much of the mainly flat route is alongside a river, past fields and through woods. At the end of the cycling day, stay in comfortable hotels and explore charming cities where local specialities such as beer, mussels and chocolate are waiting to be sampled.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Brussels
Location: Brussels
Accommodation Name: hotel
On arrival in Brussels, make your way to the joining hotel for check in. We suggest heading out to explore the Grande Place. Not only does Brussels have Manneken Pis, it also has the most delicious waffles, chocolates and pints. This is a city where culture vultures, shopaholics, and gourmets & gourmands will thrive.
Day 2 : Cycle To Mechelen (66Km/40.5Mi)
Location: Mechelen
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After one last tour of the Grande Place it’s time to leave the city behind. Cycle through the suburbs to Grimbergen, known for its lovely abbey church, a baroque basilica. Then continue on tree-lined country lanes, past a series of ponds, along a river, around a wood and through meadows and cropfields to Mechelen: not as large as the other Flemish towns but just as nice.
Day 3 : Cycle Via Duffel On The River Nete To Antwerp (45Km/28Mi)
Location: Antwerp
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
In the town of Sint-Kathelijne-Waver, at the Ursuline Institute, a boarding school run by nuns, an exquisite surprise awaits. The convent/school complex, Our Lady of Wavre, is a successful blend of art nouveau, neo-Gothic and art deco. Best of all, the winter garden. Feast your eyes on a masterpiece of art nouveau, an ode to nature, springtime and light. Back outside, continue through the countryside to Duffel on the River Nete. And, yes! This is actually the town where “duffel” originated from: the heavy, woolly material used initially for bags and later for duffle coats, made popular by the British Royal Navy and still trendy today. In the 15th century, duffel was produced here and exported all over Europe: a profitable business for then-prosperous Duffel. The route continues past Mortsel and Berchem. If you are into military heritage, stop off in Mortsel to visit Fort no. 4 of the originally eight Brialmont Forts (1860-1864) that made up the defensive line of Antwerp. It is built in brick with sandstone decorations and stands on an island surrounded by a ditch. Finish your day in Antwerp, a city with a long beer tradition and countless cafes. Discover the beautiful Old Town or go shopping for antiques and curios, vintage fashion or diamonds.
Day 4 : Follow The River Scheldt To Dendermonde (61Km/38Mi)
Location: Dendermonde
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
During most of today’s route, the River Scheldt will show you the way. Near Kruibeke, you will find Wissekerk Castle. In the 10th century this was a so-called water castle and part of the defense line of Antwerp along the River. A little farther on, cross the Scheldt by ferry. Then proceed atop the river dike to De Zilverreiger, a regional museum focused on preserving knowledge about trades and crafts that once flourished locally: basket weaving, river fishery, cooperage (barrel making), flax processing and clog making. End the day in Dendermonde with its impressive Town Hall & Belfry. After checking in to your hotel, take some time to visit the Church of Our Lady boasting a baptismal font from the 11th century.
Day 5 : Continue Along The Scheldt River To Ghent (47Km/29Mi)
Location: Ghent
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
You will soon be back on the Scheldt river banks, cycling past a string of Flemish villages and towns. Laarne Castle is a great place for a break before continuing to Ghent. The Old Town of Ghent is like an open-air museum. It is also a UNESCO Creative City of Music. The music scene here thrives, with festivals, music institutions, the carillon, concerts, students of music having a singsong on the quays… music is everywhere. After dark the ambiance is magical, thanks to the town’s ingenious light plan.
Day 6 : Discover The Rural Meetjesland Region En Route To Maldegem Or Lembeke (57Km/35.5Mi)
Location: Meetjesland
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Head west and discover the rural Meetjesland region, a cycling paradise with woods, meadowland and vast cropfields. It is an easy ride through the flat landscape to Eeklo, a small town known for its many sculptures. Continue through the Het Leen and Drongengoed woods. In the evening, put your feet up in Maldegem or Lembeke.
Day 7 : Pass Through Flat Flemish Countryside To Arrive In Bruges (54Km/33.5Mi)
Location: Bruges
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Yet another lovely route through the flat Flemish countryside. After Maldegem you will pass some quiet villages such as Knesselare, Maria-Aalter and Moerbrugge. On the last stretch, follow the Ghent-Bruges canal which dates from the 14th century and is one of the oldest in the country. Together with its towpath verges, it forms a green corridor that is important for biodiversity. Your destination Bruges is a true gem, known as the 'Pearl of Flanders'. With most of its medieval architecture intact, you have a sense of times gone by when the town was at the centre of the European wool and cloth trade. After checking in to your hotel, we recommend heading to the Markt for some delicious waffles, chocolates or beer.
Day 8 : Trip Concludes
Location: Bruges
Meals Included: Breakfast
Arrangements conclude in Bruges after breakfast. We can assist with booking extra nights accommodation if you'd like to stay longer in Bruges - please ask for our rates.
What's Included
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Accommodation
hotels -
7 breakfasts: Breakfasts are continental style and will usually consist of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee & juices
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7 nights in 3-4 star hotels on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities
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Information pack including route notes, maps and GPS Tracks per room booked, plus navigational app
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Luggage transfer between hotels - limited to 1 piece of luggage per person weighing a max 20kg.
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Hybrid rental bike with helmet, pannier, repair kit and lock (e-bikes available - supplement applies)
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Tourist tax
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Emergency hotline
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Travel to Brussels and from Bruges
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Meals not listed as included, drinks
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Travel insurance - mandatory
What's Not Included
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Travel to and from Bruges / Brussels
Travel arrangements to and from Bruges / Brussels are not included.
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All drinks, lunches and dinners
Meals not listed as included and drinks are not covered.
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Entrance fees
Entrance fees to attractions are not included unless specified.
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Guide
This is a self-guided tour, so no guide is provided.
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Transfers
Transfers are not included unless specified.
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Excess luggage
A supplement applies for excess luggage.
Each piece of extra luggage will be charged a supplement and cannot be heavier than 20kg due to work safety rules. -
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory but not included.
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E-bike
E-bikes are available for an additional supplement.
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Solo traveler supplement
A supplement will apply if you are traveling solo or book a single room.
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Transfers by taxi or public transport
Transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage are not included.
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Ferries
Ferries are not included.
Allow approximately 1-4 EUR per ferry. -
Handlebar phone holder
We recommend bringing a handlebar phone holder to follow the route more easily using the GPS tracks.
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Items of a personal nature
Items of a personal nature are not included.
Accommodation
During the trip we use a combination of 3 and 4 star hotels chosen for their comfort and convenience to the cycle route.
Grading
This trip involves 6 days cycling between 34 and 65km / 21 and 40mi per day, usually along paved cycle paths and quiet county roads across generally flat terrain. The well-posted cycle route is generally low traffic and often car-free. In and out of the cities there will be some traffic. You need only carry your camera
ain gear and water bottle. Your luggage is transported for you between hotels/inns. The trip is graded moderate and is considered suitable for competent cyclists with a good level of fitness. *For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets be included as a compulsory item on your equipment list and we do provide one for each client.
What You Carry
During the cycle day you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone and water. A small daypack which can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.
Mode of Transport
Travel to Brussels and from Bruges is included, with cycling routes between cities and luggage transfer between hotels.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
During the trip, you will stay in a combination of 3 and 4 star hotels chosen for their comfort and convenience to the cycle route.
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What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 7 breakfasts, which are continental style and usually consist of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee, and juices.
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Is luggage transfer provided during the tour?
Yes, luggage transfer between hotels is provided, limited to one piece of luggage per person weighing a maximum of 20kg.
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What kind of bike is provided for the tour?
A 21-speed rental bike with a pannier, helmet, repair kit, and lock is provided. E-bikes are also available for an additional supplement.
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Is this a guided or self-guided tour?
This is a self-guided cycling holiday.
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What should I carry during the cycling day?
During the cycle day, you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone, and water. A small daypack which can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.
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What is the difficulty level of the cycling routes?
The trip is graded moderate and is considered suitable for competent cyclists with a good level of fitness. The routes are generally flat and well-posted, often car-free, but there will be some traffic in and out of the cities.
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Are helmets provided and are they mandatory?
Yes, helmets are provided and are a compulsory item on your equipment list for safety reasons.
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What happens if I need to skip a stage of the cycling route?
Transfers by taxi or public transport are available if you need to skip a stage, but these are not included in the tour price.
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Are there any additional costs for solo travelers?
Yes, a supplement will apply if you are traveling solo or book a single room.
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How fit do I have to be?
Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.
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What happens if something goes wrong?
On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.
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I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?
Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.