Cycling along the sloping Flemish coast

The lighthouse of Ostend
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 you enter Ostend you will pass Lange Nelle, one of the four still working lighthouses along the Belgian coast. The tower is seventy meters high and dates from 1948. Ostend originally had a lighthouse from 1860, but it was severely damaged during the First World War. Then you cycle through the interior to Oudenburg. The landscape here is a bit nicer than on the coast with stream valleys, hedgerows, groves and farmlands.

An ancient Roman fortress
The town of Oudenburg has a rich history. The city originated from a Roman fortress. At the time, this fortress was part of a row of forts along the coast to protect the area against piracy from, among others, the Frisians. The square structure of such a fort is still clearly visible in the village center. Two streets intersect there within a square shape. In the Middle Ages the town flourished thanks to the cloth industry. In Oudenburg you can view various monuments from different eras. For example, see the Romanesque St. Eligius Church, the oldest parts of which date from the 12th century. The Church of Our Lady in Oudenburg is also worth a visit. This church dates from the 10th century.