Highlands around Brussels – Cycling through Middle Flanders

You’ll arrive in the historical town of Mechelen, under your own steam, be sure to leave enough time to explore this cute and compact town centre.

After leaving Mechelen, your first stop is Rumst, where the rivers Nete and Dijle meet and join to form the River Rupel which you will follow to the River Scheldt. Museums here tell of the fascinating history of this valley famous for its clay deposits, clay pits, brickyards and ovens for baking (roof)tiles. Continue along the Scheldt crossing the Temse Bridge to the town of Temse and onwards, along quiet roads, to Sint Niklaas, a town with the biggest market square in the whole of Belgium.

Continue your ride through the Waasland region to Dendermonde before re-joining the Scheldt river. As you cycle through this freshwater tidal habitat created by the seawater which, at high tide, flows unhindered as far as the locks near Ghent you’ll notice the diverse vegetation and wildlife of this everchanging landscape. Travelling through the scenic Scheldeland region, you will pass Donkmeer lake and nature reserve, which started off as a loop in the Scheldt, where you can stop to watch the boats glide by. The stunning and well-preserved town of Ghent is your final stop for the day, enjoy exploring this beautiful and historic town centre.

Today you’ll leave the vibrancy of Ghent and cycle to Nazareth and Gavere before you reach Oudenaarde at the foot of the Flemish Hills. In Sint Martens-Latem visit the Dhondt Dhaenens art museum, home to a wealth of works by Flemish modern and contemporary artists. In, Oudenaarde, fans of road bicycle racing should visit Centrum Ronde van Vlaanderen, a museum dedicated to the Tour of Flanders. One look at the Town Hall here hints that this town has known grander days, in fact it used to be a thriving centre for tapestry production.

Your tour continues along the Scheldt, avoiding the notorious hills and cobbled lanes of the Tour of Flanders, head for Zottegem, the town of Lamoral, Count of Egmont (1522-1568). You’ll find many references to Lamoral here. This catholic Count, loyal to the Spanish King politely protested when the Spanish Inquisition was established in the Low Countries to eradicate the protestants and was beheaded, alongside them. Finally, on the River Dender, you’ll reach the town of Aalst, known for its carnaval, via the rural villages of Herzele and Haaltert.

Leaving Aalst you’ll cycle to Brussels today. On your way you will pass Afflichem Abbey, where the famous beer was once brewed, this was one of the wealthiest hop farming regions in Europe for centuries. Today the beer is brewed elsewhere but the monks’ old recipe is still strictly followed. You’ll continue along the country roads until you reach Brussels, the capital of Belgium and Europe. You’ll want to ensure you have plenty of time for sightseeing here as besides having Manneken Pis, the most delicious waffles, chocolates and pints, Brussels is rich in both history and modern culture with a wealth of shops and restaurants.

Your final day sees you head back to Mechelen but not before one last tour of the Grande Place. ON the way you’ll cycle through the suburbs to Grimbergen, known for its abbey with a baroque basilica that was never completed.

After breakfast, you’ll make your own way home.