The splendor of Bruges

Castles around Bruges
When you leave Bruges, you will soon be cycling in the Bruges Ommeland. The landscape consists of fields with characteristic lanes, mysterious forests and rolling meadows and fields. This is occasionally interspersed with historic farms and old castles. You cycle past the castle of Male, a medieval fortress where the counts of Flanders once lived. A little further you cycle through the woods of domain Ryckevelde, where you can admire a neo-Gothic castle.

Velotel Bruges
The route starts and ends at Velotel Brugge, a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. In the restaurant you can enjoy a delicious lunch or gourmet dinner in true Bruges style. Not done exploring Bruges yet? Then stay a night in the comfortable hotel and enjoy the medieval alleys and canals, the Belgian hospitality and the delicious chocolate in Bruges the next day. Route 147908 also departs from Velotel Bruges.

Canal Ghent-Bruges
A large part of the cycle route runs along the banks of the Ghent-Bruges canal. This is one of the oldest canals in Flanders. The people of Bruges started excavation works in the thirteenth century in an attempt to keep the Zwingeul navigable. To this end, they wanted to make a connection with the river De Leie, but this met with fierce and sometimes even literal resistance from the city of Ghent. It was not until 1604 that the cities agreed, so that the canal was finally opened in 1625. Nowadays this canal forms not only a blue but also a green ribbon through the Ommeland. You see sparse grass drawers, reed collars, but also thickets with gorse and gorse.