Belgian Bike Tour through Flanders' Riverland

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Arrival in Mechelen

   Make your way to Mechelen, a charming city in the center of Flanders that's worthy of exploring.

   • NH Hotel Mechelen

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     Sample Accommodation

     Cap off your days in comfortable accommodations such as NH Mechelen

   • 

     Sample Accommodation

     Cap off your days in comfortable accommodations such as NH Mechelen

2. Day 2Mechelen - Lier

   Mechelen is too much fun to leave in a hurry, so make the most of the morning and go for a walk in the city center, climb the St. Rumbold's Tower, or take a boat trip on the Inner Dyle. Today's cycle route takes you through the hinterlands of Mechelen to Sint-Katelijne-Waver and further to the river Nete. On the cycling path on the riverbank enjoy the winding route to Duffel, where duffel cloth for duffel coats and bags was invented and produced. At the end of the day, arrive in charming Lier.

   • 14.9 miles
   • Hotel Florent
   • Breakfast
3. Day 3Lier - Antwerp

   Leaving Lier behind, you will soon find yourself cycling along the Kleine Nete, a riverlet that still harbors some rare fish species. The first part of this ride to the great city of Antwerp takes you along quiet country lanes between vast green (or yellow) meadows and through villages such as Boechout and Vremde.
   
   In Mortsel, you will pass Fort 4, one of the seven remaining Brialmont Forts designed to defend Antwerp. In the park around the fort, children can enjoy the playground. From here, the roads become increasingly busy, but entering Antwerp is easy: a long, straight bike path along the railway leads you into the city center, where your hotel is located directly behind Central Station.
   
   

   • 17.4 miles
   • Van der Valk Hotel
   • Breakfast
4. Day 4Antwerp - Bornem

   Fashion city, diamond city, port city—there are many ways to describe Belgium’s biggest city. Make the most of your morning and do some sightseeing. Traveling with children? Start the day with a visit to Antwerp Zoo, just a short walk from your hotel.
   
   Then mount your bikes, set off for Hoboken and catch the ferry to Kruibeke. This is where the prettiest part of the route begins. Cycle through the floodplains of the Scheldt, Flanders’ largest flood control area with reduced tides. It is part of the Sigma Works, a flood protection plan preparing Flanders for climate change.
   
   What you will see along the way is a lovely polder landscape with tidal nature, mudflats, marshes, alder woods and meadow birds. Near Temse, cross the Scheldt and continue to the lively village of Bornem, where you will spend the night.
   
   

   • 19.9 miles
   • De Notelaer
   • Breakfast
5. Day 5Bornem - Mechelen

   A beautiful stage of the tour awaits. You will cycle along the former towpaths of the Scheldt, Rupel and Dyle, past water-rich floodplains that attract many different bird species. Along the way, you will ride on neat, cobbled streets through charming Flemish villages and cycle through the woods around d’Ursel Castle.
   
   Take your binoculars with you to spot the wetland wildlife, from cormorants and woodpeckers to beavers, all of which call the Rupel Valley home. Later, you will reach the Three Rivers Point, where the Dyle and Nete join the Rupel. Follow the Dyle into Mechelen and end the day with a tour through the beautiful city center.
   
   

   • 21.1 miles
   • NH Hotel Mechelen
   • Breakfast

   • 

     Sample Accommodation

     Cap off your days in comfortable accommodations such as NH Mechelen

   • 

     Sample Accommodation

     Cap off your days in comfortable accommodations such as NH Mechelen

6. Day 6Departure from Mechelen

   After breakfast, your holiday comes to an end. You can then continue with your onward journey or travel home.

   • Breakfast