Cycling along the rolling Flemish coast

The Ostend lighthouse
At the start of the route, you cycle through Bredene to Ostend. Ostend is a beautiful port city with a historic city center. Just before entering Ostend, you pass Lange Nelle, one of the four still-functioning lighthouses along the Belgian coast. The tower is seventy meters high and dates from 1948. Ostend originally had a lighthouse dating from 1860, but it was severely damaged during the First World War. Then you cycle inland to Oudenburg. The landscape here is somewhat more charming than on the coast, with stream valleys, hedgerows, woods, and farmland.

An ancient Roman fortress
The town of Oudenburg has a rich history. It originated from a Roman fortress. This fortress was part of a row of coastal forts built to protect the area from piracy, particularly from the Frisians. The square structure of such a fortress is still clearly visible in the village center. Two streets intersect within a square shape. In the Middle Ages, the town flourished thanks to the cloth industry. In Oudenburg, you can admire various monuments from various periods. For example, see the Romanesque St. Eligius Church, the oldest parts of which date back to the 12th century. The Church of Our Lady in Oudenburg is also worth a visit. This church dates back to the 10th century.