Cycling through the Bruges countryside

The white village of Lissewege
A stone's throw from the Flemish coast and Bruges lies the village of Lissewege. This village is the starting point of this route. Lissewege is also called the 'white village', because the houses in the old village centre were painted white centuries ago. You will also find an impressive church from the 13th century that towers above the village. This church is certainly worth a visit, but the old houses along the picturesque old Vaartje are also a feast for the eyes. Just outside the village centre you will find the former Cistercian abbey Ter Doest. From Lissewege you cycle through the quiet outskirts to the Ghent-Bruges canal, one of the oldest canals in Western Europe.

Historic Bruges
Then you cycle along the edge of Bruges back to Lissewege. Definitely take a detour and take a look in Bruges if you have time. This historical city is bursting with beautiful sights that you really must have seen.

The Bruges Canals
The current, world-famous and World Heritage protected Bruges Reien are in fact the downstream part of the Zuidleie. You are driving here on a historical route, because until the mid-19th century the canal was the most important transport route for passengers and goods between Bruges and Ghent. The boats were pulled by horses or people on the canal bank. Where the barges stopped along the canal, small residential areas with inns arose.