LF 1 North Sea Route - Flanders Cycle Route

The LF 1 North Sea Route connects Boulogne-sur-Mer (F) with Den Helder (NL), over a distance of approximately 470 km. The route is part of the international North Sea Cycle Route and is the first of the LF routes to be signposted in both directions since 1989. In Flanders, the LF 1 North Sea Route between Diksmuide and Damme forms the western arm of the Flanders Cycle Route. The Flemish section of the LF 1 North Sea Route is 150 km long and runs from the French-Belgian border in Oost-Cappel to the Belgian-Dutch crossing at Sluis. The route flirts with the coast and takes you through a network of vast polders and typical West Flemish villages. Let yourself be carried away by the North Sea wind and discover this flat, quiet landscape while cycling. From south to north: After the white chalk cliffs of Boulonnais, the hills of Artois and the French woodland, you cycle parallel to the IJzer into rural Flanders. The river proves to be a reliable guide through the Westhoek. The route passes Diksmuide with its IJzertoren. This 84m high peace monument offers you, in addition to a museum about War, Peace and Flemish emancipation, a beautiful view of the Westhoek. Just past the butter city, the route makes a turn towards the coast right through the area west of the IJzer, called'Bachten de Kupe\\\'. Through the open agricultural landscape, the route leads you further via the provincial town of Veurne and the dune area of Koksijde towards the seaside town of Nieuwpoort. The equestrian statue of King Albert I serves as a reminder of the victims of the First World War. The North Sea Route also passes close to Ostend,'city by the sea\\\'. After a trip through the vast nature in the polders and the Zwin region, you reach the medieval town of Damme. This small book town will certainly charm you and perhaps even inspire you. With the Damse Vaart as your guide, you will eventually reach the border with the Netherlands. From here, the LF1 continues north over kilometres of dams, along elongated dune strips and charming fishing villages. In Den Helder, the route joins the LF 10 Wadden Sea Route, the next section of the international North Sea Cycle Route.