The splendor of Bruges

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

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

Ghent-Bruges Canal
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 excavating in the thirteenth century in an attempt to keep the Zwingeul navigable. To this end, they wanted to create a connection with the river Leie, but this met with fierce and sometimes even literal resistance from the city of Ghent. It was not until 1604 that the cities reached an agreement, so that the canal was finally opened in 1625. Nowadays, this canal not only forms a blue ribbon but also a green ribbon through the Ommeland. You see sparse grasslands, reed collars, but also thickets with broom and gorse.