Tour of Flanders cycling route: red circuit
Extended route description
The red circuit of the Tour of Flanders cycling route has quite a few calf-burners in store for you. The high point of the circuit? The Oudenberg, aka the one and only Muur van Geraardsbergen. And then the Foreest, Berendries, Bosberg and Eikenberg are yet to come. How you finish this ride is up to you: either in one go or split it up in segments. There are plenty of pit stops along the way to refuel!
Starting point TOUR OF FLANDERS CENTRE
The Tour of Flanders Centre is the place to be for racing fans and the archive for aficionados of the Tour. But these days, it is also the perfect starting point for cycling enthusiasts who want to sample the route of the Tour themselves. Cycling tourists can change clothes here, rent a racer, borrow a GPS - with cycling circuits on it - and get a shower too. Those with energy left over after the ride can visit the Tour Exhibition, where you can see changing, themed collections throughout the year. Still not ready to head home? Then how about celebrating your victory in the renovated Peloton Café.
Strava Flandrien Challenge
With the Flandrien Challenge, you now know to the very second how fast you’re riding the legendary inclines of the Flemish Classics. Measure yourself against professional cyclists or compare times with your friends. The Strava app enables you to (automatically) register your time between the marked start and finish line of the Challenge segment on well-known inclines and cobblestone sections.
Villa Tynlon
On the Onderbossenare incline in Maarkedal stands this remarkable villa, in English cottage style. From 1921 to 1937, it was the permanent home of painter Valerius De Saedeleer, who set up an artists' colony here with himself as the leading figure. He gave the building the Welsh name Tynlon - "the house in the street" - in memory of the house where he stayed during WWII in Wales.
De Zwarte Engel
At this cozy eatery, unpretentious but delicious dishes with a focus on product are served up, including meat balls in tomato sauce or beef tongue, as well as meat-free options. When the weather is nice, it's great to relax in the shade of the weeping willow.
Kapel van de ronde
In Schorisse, between the Foreest and Ganzenberg inclines, lies the former monastery farmstead Romanshof. The striking chapel on the corner has been entirely dedicated to the Tour of Flanders since 2011. The names of all the winners are carved in granite on the right, and there is a depiction of a Flandrien, modeled after local cycling hero Peter Van Petegem.
Berendries
The Berendries, the highest hill in the Zwalmstreek (98 metres), was once part of medieval highway between Oudenaarde and Ninove. This famous climb from the Tour is no longer cobbled, but is nevertheless an icon of the race and the favourite climb of Greg Van Avermaet.
De Stappers Alm
Half way up the hill you will find a bona fide Tyrolean Alpine chalet, in wood of course, with an advertising board for Almdudler. The owners - two avid hikers - took inspiration for their café from the Austrian mountains, and passersby are welcomed with refreshing drinks and snacks. The large terrace with playground in the back treats you to a beautiful view of the area.
Toeppark
High atop a hill in Nederbrakel, next to Top Bronnen, proudly stands the Toep Chapel, also known as the 'chapel of peace'. It dates from 1924 and was erected by the villagers out of gratitude, as Brakel was spared the horrors of the First World War. Climb the steep pilgrim's staircase for a moment and enjoy the expansive views in the park from this wonderful spot.
't Fameus Verleden
The 'famous past' of three generations has been preserved as much as possible in this café in Everbeek-Beneden. The result is a traditional 'staminee' serving as the backdrop to cozy chats over a fresh Belgian-style beer, or a delicious meal in the shade of the trees on the garden terrace.
Geraardsbergen
The oldest city in Flanders is known as the 'gateway to the Flemish Ardennes' and is both loved and dreaded by cycling enthusiasts. All thanks to the Oudenberg, or the Muur van Geraardsbergen, which takes you to the 110-meter-high peak of the Oudenberg for a unique panorama of the Flemish Ardennes. Height difference: 92 metres, length: 1075 metres, average gradient: 9.2%, and on the steepest part as much as 19.8%!
When it comes to fame, the Muur has had a competitor for some time now: the Geraardsberg 'mattentaarten' were recognised as a regional product by the European Union in 2009. You can buy them at any bakery in the city or at Olav's on the Brugstraat, the country's most famous mattentaart baker.
De Gavers
No time left for one more stop? Then definitely remember this 20-acre provincial domain at the foot of the Oudenberg for your next visit. The nicely landscaped swimming and beach area with playground, water sports such as surfing, kayaking, rowing or pedalo, and the tour boat attract water lovers of every stripe. There is also an indoor swimming pool with sauna. You can even spend the night here, in your own tent at the campsite, in a hiker's hut or in the youth hostel.
Bosberg and Raspaillebos
The Bosberg cobblestones are also protected as monuments. Nicknamed Edwig Van Hooydonck-berg, the slope owes its name to the rider's two splitting breakaways here in 1989 and 1991. On its flanks lies the Raspaillebos, a fairytale piece of Flanders that offers stunning views.
CARTHUSIAN SITE SINT-MARTENS-LIERDE
At the heart of this - once again - gorgeous village are the remains of the former 14th-century Carthusian priory of Sint-Maartens-Bosse. Under the motto "Ora et labore"("Pray and work"), the monks dedicated themselves to their spiritual duties, while the lay brothers brewed beer and took care of the domestic work. Today, café De Kartuizer at the church still serves the Carthusian beer in stone jugs with three ears.
Kapelleberg
In Maarke-Kerkem, ask for directions to 't Kapelleke Fiecent, and you'll be directed to the top of the Kapelleberg. There, the Sint-Vincentius Chapel has towered over the landscape for centuries. If you want to get rid of cramps (or stay free from them), come here and light a candle in late January. The view of the surrounding green and hilly landscape is breathtaking. The area around Maarkedal and Brakel still celebrates the feast of St. Vincent with 'geutelingen': fermented oven cakes, baked in traditional wood ovens and served in local cafes.
Kerselare
It’s a hive of activity at ‘Keerseloare kapelle’, a pilgrimage site on top of the Eikenberg between Oudenaarde and Mater, especially in May. A statue of Mary hanging in a cherry tree there many centuries ago is said to have miraculously cured the daughter of a local baron. Where a small chapel was later built, a modern concrete church now stands. Devout believers make a short or long pilgrimage past the chapels here. They also go to the square to buy ‘lekkies’: pilgrimage sweets from the traditional confectioner Jan van Gent.
De Carillon
There's no better ending to this Tour of Flanders circuit - after a well-deserved shower at the Tour of Flanders Centre - than De Carillon on the Market Square in Oudenaarde, the oldest 'brown' (traditional) café in town, in the shadow of Sint-Walburga's Church. Here they serve Ename Blond and Liefmans Goudenband on tap, among others. The two charming little houses in which you will find the café served as the setting for the first Bakelandt comics.
4 cycling routes along the Tour of Flanders
