A visit to Kortrijk

Your starting point today is close to Kortrijk, a beautiful city that you will quickly pass through. You will find approximately two hundred protected buildings and monuments here, two of which even bear the title of UNESCO World Heritage: the medieval Belfry and the 17th-century Beguinage with the St. Matthew Chapel from 1464. You will also see about a hundred valuable facades. Kortrijk's heritage also includes a large number of statues, windmills and the beautiful natural landscapes that you will discover today. First take some time in Kortrijk to visit one of the nice museums. The Groeninge Abbey is a Cistercian abbey from the late 16th century. The abbey houses the multimedia museum Kortrijk 1302 about the Battle of the Golden Spurs and also the Museum for the history of the city of Kortrijk. A visit to Kortrijk 1302 is a special experience. You see, hear and understand the historical background, you come face to face with the characters, you feel the weight of chain mail and you put on a helmet yourself! You can easily cycle past the Groeninge Abbey and the Broel Museum is also right on the route. This is a museum for applied and visual arts, created from a merger of the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Archeology and Decorative Arts. The regional museum collection contains masterpieces from the 16th century to the present day. A little further on, in Harelbeke, you will find the intimate Municipal Museum of Pipe and Tobacco. A unique 900-piece pipe collection is more than worth a visit, as is the authentic tobacco shop and the story of snuff should not be missed here. In addition to culture, you will also discover many gems in nature with this route. You will soon cycle through the Gavers domain and right along the Gavermeer. This domain offers many relaxation options, both freely accessible and paying. The 20 hectare pond, forests, walking and cycling paths provide a green environment where you can enjoy the peace and quiet. A little further on you cycle along the Bossuit - Kortrijk Canal, which connects the Leie with the Scheldt. The ideal backdrop for a cycling tour in the Leie region!