Geraardsbergen Cycling Route

The Dender is at its most beautiful between Ninove and Geraardsbergen, but before we join the flat towpath along the bank, we make a modest climb through the rolling landscape of the Flemish Ardennes. Fortunately, our efforts are rewarded, because an equally legendary mattentaart awaits us at the foot of the famous Wall.

The oldest city in Flanders is known as the "gateway to the Flemish Ardennes" and is at the same time loved and infamous by all those who are passionate about cycling. The lesser cycling gods cut their teeth every year on the smooth cobblestones of the Muur van Geraardsbergen - Giesbaargen in the dialect. Too bad, we think, because they could also have saved it for a heavenly mattentaart, a sweet delicacy that was recognized as a regional product by the European Union. The residents of Geraardsbergen used to earn a living with matches, cigars, pipes and lace, and a modest museum was dedicated to each of these industries in the former St. Adrian's Abbey. Due to restoration work, they found temporary accommodation in the former music academy on Collegestraat: a must for those who like to immerse themselves in the life of yesteryear.

A visit to Gerardsbergen is not complete without a meal. The recipe dates back to the 16th century and was invented by local farmers to get rid of excess milk. They allowed their milk to curdle into a kind of cheese, the so-called"matten\\\". These were ground and mixed with sugar, almonds and egg yolks and baked into puff pastry. The result is a delicacy that is recognized as a European regional product and which led to the establishment of the Order of the Mattentaart. You can debate for hours in Geraardsbergen about who bakes the best mattentaarten. The best way to find out? In Geraardsbergen and the surrounding villages there are numerous bakeries that bake mattentaarten.