Belgium Cycle - Bruges to Brussels
8 Days Starting in Bruges, Belgium and ending in Brussels, Belgium
Visiting: Bruges, Maldegem, Ghent, Dendermonde, Antwerp, Mechelen, Brussels
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BCB
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating cycling adventure through Belgium with the "Belgium Cycle - Bruges to Brussels" tour. Discover the enchanting art cities of Bruges, Antwerp, Ghent, and Brussels, while indulging in exquisite chocolates, waffles, and beer in atmospheric cafes and bars. Explore the picturesque Flemish countryside at your own pace on a relaxed self-guided itinerary. Stay in comfortable 3 and 4-star hotels conveniently located along the cycle route, with luggage transfers and an emergency hotline for peace of mind. Enjoy daily buffet breakfasts and cycle with a 24-speed rental bike equipped with pannier, helmet, repair kit, and lock. This tour offers a perfect blend of cultural exploration and scenic cycling, making it an ideal choice for competent cyclists with a good level of fitness.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Bruges
Location: Bruges
Accommodation Name: hotel
Bruges is known as the pearl of Flanders. It’s a truly enchanting town that has been welcoming tourists for about 150 years. With most of its medieval architecture intact, it remains exceptionally well preserved and can really give you a sense of times gone by when it 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 2 : Cycle Along The Ghent-Bruges Canal To Maldegem (54Km/33.5Mi)
Location: Maldegem
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning you begin your cycle by following the canal out of town. The Ghent-Bruges Canal dates from the 14th century and is one of the oldest in the country. Together with its towpaths, it forms a green corridor that has proved valuable for biodiversity. Past quiet villages such as Moerbrugge, Maria-Aalter and Knesselare, you will cycle through the flat Flemish countryside to Maldegem. In the evening, put your feet up in Maldegem.
Day 3 : Continue Through The Rural Meetjesland Region To Ghent (57Km/35.5Mi)
Location: Ghent
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you traverse the rural Meetjesland region, a cycling paradise with woods, meadowland and vast cropfields. Enjoy the play of light as you ride your bike through the woods of Het Leen and Drongengoed. After, it is easy-pedalling through the flat landscape to Eeklo, a small town known for its many sculptures. Then proceed 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 is thriving. 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 4 : Follow The River Scheldt To Dendermonde (47Km/29Mi)
Location: Dendermonde
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
For the main part of the day, the River Scheldt will be your guide. Follow it upstream past a string of Flemish villages and towns. A 13th-century castle is a real eyecatcher in the village of Laarne: a great place for a break. 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 : Cycle To Antwerp (57Km/35.5Mi)
Location: Antwerp
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning you make your way back to the Scheldt and cycle atop the river dike towards Antwerp. A delightful interlude: 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. After crossing the Scheldt by ferry, you will reach Kruibeke, home to Wissekerk Castle. In the 10th century this was a so-called water castle and part of the defense line of Antwerp along the river. 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 curio’s, home deco, vintage fashion finds or diamonds.
Day 6 : Continue To Mechelen (45Km/28Mi)
Location: Mechelen
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
It’s only a short trip today so you have time to look around Antwerp some more, or visit a museum, before setting off towards Mechelen. 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. Then continue along quiet country lanes and alongside the River Nete to Duffel. 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. 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, neo-Empire 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. Top off your day in Mechelen, small but attractive.
Day 7 : Cycle Via Meadows And Cropfields To Brussels (65Km/40Mi)
Location: Brussels
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cycle today on tree-lined country lanes, past a series of ponds, along a river, around a wood and through meadows and cropfields to Brussels. Along the way you'll pass Tervuren, known the Royal Africa Museum. In Brussels you will find a mix of cultures, as can be seen in the streets, menus and people. Head for the Grote Markt with its opulent guildhalls and town hall. Not only does Brussels have the landmark Manneken Pis, it also has delicious waffles, chocolates and beer. It's a city where culture vultures, shopaholics and gourmands make merry.
Day 8 : Trip Concludes
Location: Brussels
Meals Included: Breakfast
The trip concludes this morning in Brussels. Arrangements end after breakfast.
What's Included
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Accommodation
hotels -
7 breakfasts
Breakfasts are buffet style and will usually consist of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee & juices.
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7 nights in 3-4 star hotels
Accommodation on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities.
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Information pack
Includes route notes, maps, and tourist information per room booked. GPS tracks are available on request.
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Emergency hotline
Access to an emergency hotline for assistance during the trip.
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Luggage transfer
Luggage transfer between hotels, limited to 1 piece of luggage per person weighing a maximum of 20kg.
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24 speed rental bike
Includes pannier, helmet, repair kit, and lock. E-bikes are available for an additional supplement.
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Tourist tax
Tourist tax is included in the package.
What's Not Included
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Travel to and from Bruges/Brussels
Travel arrangements to and from the starting and ending points are not included.
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All drinks, lunches, and dinners
Meals other than breakfast are not included.
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Items of a personal nature
Personal expenses are not covered.
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Entrance fees
Entrance fees to attractions and sites are not included.
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Guide
This is a self-guided tour, so no guide is provided.
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Transfers
Transfers during the trip are not included.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory but not included in the package.
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Ferries
Ferry costs are not included.
Allow 1 to 4 EUR per ferry. -
Excess luggage
Supplement applies for excess luggage.
Each piece of extra luggage will be charged a supplement and must be booked and paid for before departure.
Luggage cannot be heavier than 20kg due to work safety rules. -
Single supplement
As prices are based on twin occupancy, a single supplement will apply if you are traveling alone or book a single room.
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.
Mode of Transport
Travel to and from Bruges/Brussels is included, and a 24-speed rental bike with pannier, helmet, repair kit, and lock is provided. E-bikes are available for a supplement.
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 package?
The tour package includes 7 breakfasts. Breakfasts are buffet style and will 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. It is limited to 1 piece of luggage per person weighing a maximum of 20kg.
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What kind of bike is provided for the tour?
A 24-speed rental bike with pannier, helmet, repair kit, and lock is provided. E-bikes are also available for an additional supplement.
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Is there an emergency support system in place during the tour?
Yes, there is an emergency hotline available for participants during the tour.
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Are GPS tracks available for the cycling routes?
Yes, GPS tracks are available on request as part of the information pack, which also includes route notes, maps, and tourist information.
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What is the difficulty level of the cycling routes?
The trip is graded as moderate and is considered suitable for competent cyclists with a good level of fitness. The routes are generally low traffic and often car-free, with some traffic in and out of the cities.
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Is travel insurance mandatory for this tour?
Yes, travel insurance is mandatory for this tour.
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Are there any additional costs for excess luggage?
Yes, there is a supplement for excess luggage. Each piece of extra luggage will be charged a supplement and must be booked and paid for before departure. Luggage cannot be heavier than 20kg due to work safety rules.
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Is there a single supplement for solo travelers?
Yes, as prices are based on twin occupancy, a single supplement will apply if you are traveling alone 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.