Belgium Cycle - Bruges to Brussels

Belgium Cycle - Bruges to Brussels

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8 Days From

$1334

$1292

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:

UTracks

Tour code:

BCB

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Physical rating:

moderate

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Small Group

Activities:

Cycling, Sightseeing, Walking

From: $1334 $1292 Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$42

NB: Prices correct on 31-Oct-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

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

  • Discovering the Art cities of Bruges, Antwerp, Ghent and Brussels

  • Sampling the exquisite chocolates, waffles and beer in atmospheric cafes and bars

  • Exploring the picturesque, quiet Flemish countryside

  • Cycling along the Ghent-Bruges canal to Maldegem

  • Traversing the rural Meetjesland region to Ghent

  • Following the River Scheldt to Dendermonde

  • Visiting the Royal Africa Museum in Tervuren

  • Exploring the Grote Markt in Brussels

Itinerary

Expand All

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

  • Accommodation
    hotels

  • 7 breakfasts

    Breakfasts are buffet style and will usually consist of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee & juices.

  • 7 nights in 3-4 star hotels

    Accommodation on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities.

  • Information pack

    Includes route notes, maps, and tourist information per room booked. GPS tracks are available on request.

  • Emergency hotline

    Access to an emergency hotline for assistance during the trip.

  • Luggage transfer

    Luggage transfer between hotels, limited to 1 piece of luggage per person weighing a maximum of 20kg.

  • 24 speed rental bike

    Includes pannier, helmet, repair kit, and lock. E-bikes are available for an additional supplement.

  • Tourist tax

    Tourist tax is included in the package.

What's Not Included

  • Travel to and from Bruges/Brussels

    Travel arrangements to and from the starting and ending points are not included.

  • All drinks, lunches, and dinners

    Meals other than breakfast are not included.

  • Items of a personal nature

    Personal expenses are not covered.

  • Entrance fees

    Entrance fees to attractions and sites are not included.

  • Guide

    This is a self-guided tour, so no guide is provided.

  • Transfers

    Transfers during the trip are not included.

  • Travel insurance

    Travel insurance is mandatory but not included in the package.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Is there an emergency support system in place during the tour?

    Yes, there is an emergency hotline available for participants during the tour.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Is travel insurance mandatory for this tour?

    Yes, travel insurance is mandatory for this tour.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Reviews of this operator

Katharine McLennan (Google Reviewer)  

UTracks is awesome. My...

13-Jun-2024

UTracks is awesome. My Assisi trip was one of the most beautiful trips I have taken in my 56 years. I wanted to walk by myself, and Utracks teamed up with a local Italian travel company to do everything for me—book the hotels and move my bags from hotel to hotel as I walked the track. The app was AMAZING. It showed the daily itinerary, and the interactive map told me metre by metre where I needed to go and whether I was on track or not. It was far more accurate than Google Maps, and I loved all the commentary on what to look for and what not to. The places I stayed were known as "agriturismo places." They are hosted by families on working farms. Those gorgeous families had farms and accommodations that sometimes dated back to 800!!! But all of them had done a fantastic job updating them to be modern, beautiful rooms. I loved how warm the hosts were and how much they appreciated my stay. There were seldom more than 5 people staying each night. The walk was fabulous -- and incredibly well-researched and noted. I was often the only one on the trails, but I always felt safe and looked after by UTracks in their 24-hour cover. I never had to use it - but as a single woman walking on her own through the Italian hills -- it is great to know that people know where I am. The preparation pack sent to me was also incredibly organised with equipment lists, hotel directions-- with all the contacts, and the contacts of the lovely fellow who would be taking my bag from place to place. He was fantastic -- and I also felt supported by him if things were to go wrong. I will definitely be working with Utracks again and can't wait to plan my next adventure.

Addy K (Google Reviewer)  

Great hike to sample some...

04-Oct-2023

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Mike Burke (Google Reviewer)  

UTracks did everything they promised,...

23-Oct-2024

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Lisa Kibeiks (Google Reviewer)  

Fantastic trip! Well organised and...

18-Oct-2024

Fantastic trip! Well organised and everything went smoothly. Would probably split the two big 30+ days if I were to have my time again. The heat adds another level of difficulty. Accommodations were all different but all clean and welcoming. Meals were varied as we walked into different regions the food changed to what was local. We never had a bad meal or a bad stay anywhere. Highly recommend this trip through France. A nice quiet Camino compared to the Frances but far more challenging. Very enjoyable.

Patrick Shum (Google Reviewer)  

Hassle free self guided tour...

26-Jul-2023

Hassle free self guided tour around the most scenic Austrian hills and lakes. All our heavy baggage taken care of from hotel to hotel. Hiking not difficult at all, instructions are v clear. I recommend use online GPS map. In case someone want to shorten the walking, various options (bus / boat) provided.

Amanda Liddell (Google Reviewer)  

300km in 12 days from...

15-Jun-2023

300km in 12 days from Porto to Santiago de Compostela where a Cathedral stands as the most beautiful ‘Welcome’ imaginable. The accomodation arranged by UTRACKS was consistently excellent & the ease of only having to worry about carrying your backpack and what you’ll have for lunch is perfect. Yes, most days at breakfast you can make up your own bread roll and filling. Notes and directions were included but once you arrive in Spain you just need to look for the ‘shell’ and ‘yellow arrow’ to find your ‘way’. I am 67 years old & consciously chose to walk alone however I met some fabulous people along the way and finally had hours on end with ‘no headchatter’. There’s healing which catches you unaware & makes every step very worthwhile.

Kerry Andersen (Google Reviewer)  

We used UTracks to organise...

13-Jul-2023

We used UTracks to organise our self guided Portugal Coastal Camino walk. We were very happy with information provided for our walk and accommodation picked.

Ian Freestone (Google Reviewer)  

Recently two trips with utracks....

26-Aug-2024

Recently two trips with utracks. Mont Blanc self-guided and Austrian hike-bike. In summary, the experience is only as good as the local partner. In Austria, Helmut was amazing! Met with us prior - went over every detail of the trip, answered his phone if we had a concern. Mont Blanc, the partner would only communicate by text, did not meet us on arrival, and would not return calls even when we had an emergency. Other concerns we raised with utracks staff were not responded to adequately leaving the feeling that they had our money, job done.

Amanda Fairley (Google Reviewer)  

Self-guided Hadrian’s Wall Walk. The local...

24-Sep-2024

Self-guided Hadrian’s Wall Walk. The local agent’s documentation needs immediate updating to include current accommodation used and their locations. I also had to uncover (it was not proactively disclosed to me) a double up in accommodation location booking (same town over two nights but different accommodation 160 metres apart) by the same local agent which resulted in me having to walk two days of distance in one day, back track for accommodation on the second night and be charged for a 160m bag transfer! UTracks did apologise and the local agent covered my dinner one night as compensation, but the situation would not have happened if either UTracks or their local agent had reviewed their itinerary which would have called out quite loudly to them the messy issue, before finalising it and providing it to me. I was later contacted by UTracks to acknowledge my post trip feedback, but stating that both UTracks and their local agent had been in contact with me THROUGHOUT my walk. To be clear - I had one phone call initiated by UTracks after I had identified the issues and emailed them, and the only contact with the local agent were two emails and one phone call that I initiated to inform them of the issues they created, that I had to uncover. I wouldn’t describe that as anyone from UTracks or their local agent being in contact with me throughout my trip. It is important to not over state the service or support that people provide to a client.

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Book with Confidence

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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