Cycling routes in Belgium: 5 must-ride loops
Small country, huge cycling variety: within a few dozen kilometers Belgium lines up ultra-flat greenways, legendary cobbled hills and deep forests. Here are five iconic loops to discover — and how to plan them precisely for your bike.
1. The Flemish hills (East Flanders)
This is where the heart of Belgian cycling beats. Around Oudenaarde, cobbled walls like the Oude Kwaremont and the Koppenberg built the legend of the Tour of Flanders. A loop in the Flemish Ardennes strings together short but brutal climbs, ideal for working on power. Bring tires suited to cobbles and a Sporty or Max climbing profile so you don't miss any of the ascents.
2. The RAVeL along the Meuse (Namur – Dinant)
The complete opposite: an almost entirely flat route on a safe greenway along the river. The RAVeL links Namur to Dinant between cliffs and villages, perfect with family, on gravel or for a quiet long ride. Pick the Safe or Greenways / RAVeL profile to stay as much as possible on traffic-free paths.
3. The Sonian Forest (Brussels)
At the capital's doorstep, this vast beech forest offers a surprising playground: forest drives, gravel paths and shaded loops accessible just minutes from the city. Ideal for an early-morning ride before work. Forest & trails profile to favor paths, or Touring for a mix of quiet road and nature.
4. The Lakes of l'Eau d'Heure (Hainaut)
Belgium's largest body of water is circled by a rolling route alternating shorelines, small roads and viewpoints. A good compromise for a half-day ride with some elevation but nothing extreme. Scout the water points and cafés ahead via the map's points of interest: they're precious on this nature circuit.
5. The High Fens (Liège)
The roof of Belgium, wild and demanding. Peat plateaus, long steady climbs and misty atmospheres: a magnificent terrain for gravel and elevation lovers. The weather changes fast — bring layers and, if you ride solo, keep safety in mind (see our article on the geolocated SOS).
How to plan these loops precisely
These five ideas are starting points: it's up to you to set your distance and elevation. In the VéloCore planner, drop a start point, choose the profile suited to the terrain, then let the loop generator suggest a circuit — or draw by hand by dragging the line. To choose between safe, gravel or max-climb, read our guide to route profiles.
Ride them together
Most of these routes are best enjoyed in a group. Turn your track into a ride call: invite friends or open the outing to the community, everyone RSVPs, and off you go with company.
Plan your next Belgian loop
Terrain-tailored profiles, loop generator, POIs and GPX export — for free.
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