Cycling from Brussels to Bruges

Experience Overview

Starting in Belgium's capital city of Brussels, we highly recommend adding a few extra nights for a city break here before the cycling starts to explore the variety of monuments, historic sites and architecture as well as shopping arcades, parks, gardens, art galleries and museums. Discover why Brussels is famous for its food, comic strips as well as the world-famous Manneken Pis statue, the Atomium and the amazing Grande Place. On your journey northwest, follow the artwork of the Flemish Masters - Van Eyck, Bruegel and Rubens with exhibitions and events along the route. You get a chance to visit the iconic cities of Antwerp and Ghent before arriving in the 'Venice of Northern Flanders', Bruges. Visit forts and castles that made up the fortification line of Antwerp, a city famous for its beer traditions as well as its antiques, home decor curios and and diamonds. The Old Town of Ghent is like an open-air museum - it is also a UNESCO Creative City of Music with the music scene here absolutely thriving. Bruges has a fairytale atmosphere with its cobbled streets and squares, canals on which you can take boat trips past the traditional houses as well as its medieval architecture. The historic centre of Bruges has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000 and has a plethora of landmarks, museums and historical sights. The city is also world-famous for its lace production.
Profile
— 7 nights in good quality hotels, all rooms en-suite — 6 days hotel to hotel cycling — Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent — E-bike hire available on request (supplement applies)
At a Glance
— 7 nights in good quality hotels, all rooms en-suite — 6 days hotel to hotel cycling — Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent — E-bike hire available on request (supplement applies)
Trip For You
Cycling Conditions Classification: Self-Guided Average daily distance: 55km (34 miles). No. of days cycling: 6 Terrain and route: The suggested cycling mainly follows quiet cycling routes and tarmac roads. The terrain is mainly flat which means the distances achieved each day can be longer. Alternative shorter routes are available on some days (days 6 & 7) and are detailed in the route notes. Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to cycle independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodations, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can cycle at your own pace, while your bags are transported from one hotel to the next. Your bikes will be delivered to the start hotel, all set up relevant to your height and ready to go. Our local agent will be on call throughout the trip should you need. It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked. Where possible we stick to cycle tracks and quiet roads to make the journeys as pleasant as possible, however, on occasion we have to use busier routes into larger towns and cities. As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There maybe others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local agent is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service. Families Self-guided cycling holidays are a perfect option for families as they offer the freedom for you to take your holiday at your own pace. You can stop as and when you want and need, at the cafes and restaurants that suit your family and the sites that interest you. We have suggested that 12yrs is the minimum age for this trip, but as it is self-guided and you will be leading your own family we will ultimately leave this decision up to you. The daily distances are all published in the trip notes along with a description of each day's cycling so you have a good idea of what to expect. However, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact one of our experts. The principle idea is that these holidays can be as flexible as you like, with logistical support but no group or leader to dictate the daily activities. Please consider the weather when choosing to book, temperatures can be high in the middle of summer.
Group Description
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local agent is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.
Eating Drinking
All breakfasts are included. There are plenty of treats to be tried during your trip from Brussels to Bruges with local specialities including moules & frites, luxury praline chocolates, gaufres (sugar waffles) and beer.
Transportation
Your luggage will be transported between the hotels by our local agent. They are often able to dispatch a taxi should you need it, but may wish to charge you for this service. You will be pedaling under your own steam but the emergency number for the local agent is in the route directions if you need assistance.
Joining Instructions
Your trip normally starts at your hotel in Brussels on the afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary. Hotel check-in times are normally from around 3-4pm. We can arrange flights or trains to and from Brussels - please contact our sales team for more information and prices.
Spending Money
— You will need money for lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks as well as any sites you wish to visit. Lunches can be inexpensive if you buy produce from local markets or shops and make up a picnic. However, if you stop at a café you can easily spend €15. We would recommend budgeting for €5-15 for lunches and allow an additional €10 a day for any extras. Dinners can cost between €15-40 depending on the type of restaurant you visit and would not include drinks.

Highlights