Ghent–Bruges Canal Cycle Path – Bulskampveld Provincial Estate loop from Ursel

Bike touring routes & trails

Ghent–Bruges Canal Cycle Path – Bulskampveld Provincial Estate loop from Ursel

Moderate

4.7

(49)

273

riders

Ghent–Bruges Canal Cycle Path – Bulskampveld Provincial Estate loop from Ursel

04:59

85.9km

140m

Cycling

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: September 25, 2026

Tips

Includes a movable bridge

Check opening times.

After 68.1 km for 25 m

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

4.34 km

Kanaalberm Bellem

Nature Reserve

15.7 km

Ghent–Bruges Canal Cycle Path

Highlight • Cycleway

Who would have thought; Ghent has an important inland port. He is connected via a canal via Bruges to Oostende to the North Sea. The length of the canal from Ghent to Bruges is 42 kilometers. Its history is even longer. It dates back to the 13th century when the Reie and Zuidleie rivers were widened.

Again and again there were disputes between the cities of Bruges and Ghent, because functioning waterways mean trade. The two economic centers eyed each other suspiciously and enviously, always looking out for their advantage. Who has the better connection? Who might outperform the other city?

However, the canal was not only used for shipping, but also as a line of defense in the 16th century. For this reason about twenty redoubts were erected on the southern dikes. The largest fortress, Fort Sint-Filips, was halfway between Bruges and Ghent.

Today the canal no longer separates, but is an important internal connection and, above all, a picturesque backdrop for your tour.

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17.7 km

Durmmeersen

Nature Reserve

42.1 km

Kraenepoel

Forest

42.4 km

View of Kraenepoel

Highlight • Lake

There are benches in a few places and these are about the only places where you have a good view of the nature reserve. A bit like a painting in a museum. A beautiful view but you can't get in.

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43.5 km

Loveld

Forest

45.1 km

Archaeological Site

56.4 km

Vagevuurbossen Forest Road

Highlight • Trail

Straight asphalt road through the Purgatory Woods.

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59.5 km

Bulskampveld Gravel Path

Highlight • Cycleway

Cycle path in gravel, part of Bulskampveld route

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59.5 km

Bulskampveld Provincial Estate

Highlight • Forest

Here you will find a variety of cycle paths that meander through the wooded domain. The domain, located in the province of West Flanders, offers a peaceful and picturesque environment, perfect for a relaxing ride. The route takes you through green forests, along vast fields and over picturesque bridges.

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60.3 km

Bulskampveld Castle

Highlight • Castle

The current castle is the second to be built in the Bulskampveld. The Liège architect Clément Léonard drew the plans for this neo-Gothic country estate. From 1887 to 1892, approximately 80 men worked day in, day out on the new castle and the outbuildings. Count H. de Meeus financed the prestigious project as the client.
The new castle shows little castle allure. It is a large country house in a sober, neo-Gothic style.
At the same time as the construction of the castle, a new coach house was built, as well as horse and cow stables. On the side of the vegetable garden, now a herb garden, we notice that parts of older buildings were used: among other things, a piece of fieldstone wall was preserved. A water tower was constructed on the corner of the coach house. On top of this tower stood a mill that pumped the water from the artesian well. A clock-like instrument on the tower indicated the height of the water supply.
(Province of West Flanders)

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66.4 km

Zuidleie Valley Nature Reserve

Highlight • Natural

The Zuidleie valley is located south of Bruges in the municipalities of Oostkamp and Beernem. The Ghent-Bruges canal, one of the oldest in the country, was dug in this valley as early as the 13th century.

The nature reserve consists of four sub-areas: On the one hand, the Warandeputten with an area of ten hectares. Here you can discover flowering meadows, swamps, ponds and ponds with feathered residents. Thanks to observation huts and walls, you won't disturb the birds while observing either! Don't be surprised: the hairy Galloway cattle are natural lawn mowers and provide structure and species-rich vegetation.

Then there is the Leiemeersen with twelve hectares: the unique low moor with wet meadows, wet ruins, reed belts, swamp forest and open water will inspire you! In the centre: an 800 meter long old meander of the river Zuidleie.
The other two areas each cover eight hectares. There is the old meander of the Zuidleie, called Leiemeersen-Noord, with wet and dry flower meadows, where wild orchids also grow. The area adjoins the Beverhoutsveld, an agricultural area with a network of driveways, ditches and rows of pollarded willows.

Last but not least, the so-called Gevaerts are waiting for you. Here the canal cuts through a higher, sandy area with high, barren canal banks and adjacent heath-like grassland areas. You will definitely notice the lush flowering broom and gorse bushes or the vegetation with English oak, birch, willow and elm. We hope you enjoy discovering it!

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67.1 km

F6 - Cycle Highway Bruges - Aalter

Highlight • Cycleway

Well rolling towpath.

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85.9 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

33.4 km

29.9 km

15.0 km

5.49 km

2.12 km

Surfaces

49.2 km

25.5 km

5.27 km

3.88 km

2.12 km

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Today

Monday 12 October

21°C

13°C

57 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 22.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

August 12, 2025,Vlaanderenroute 7: Gent – Brugge

Today's tour wasn't as varied. The first part out of the city and along the Ghent-Bruges Canal was very beautiful, so we were a little sad when the route led us inland.
(And yes, we could have skipped that part ;)

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June 24, 2024,Belgien: 3 Flandernroute Gent - Brügge 24.06.2024

Day 3: Ghent - Bruges, approx. 55 km

The first part of the Flanders Route is the Ghent-Ostend canal, which connects the seaports of Ostend and Zeebrugge with Bruges and Ghent. Before Aalter we turn off the canal and enter the Bulskampveld landscape park, on the border between the Bruges Ommeland and the Meetjesland. Pure relaxation in nature! We cycle …

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May 6, 2022,🇧🇪 E05 - Gent - Brügge

With a boat trip and great impressions, I leave the beautiful city of Ghent and make my way to Bruges. First it goes along the Brugsvaart Canal, later on along the Bruges-Gent Canal⛴️. The route is simply fantastic and leads through a long avenue of trees 🌳🌳. Ships 🛥️ keep passing on the canal next to me. Later I leave …

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July 16, 2025,Sommertour Tag 9: Brügge - Gent

Today was a slightly shorter stage, just under 60km. We started around 10:30 a.m. in Bruges, then mostly along the Ostend-Ghent Canal – well-maintained, often with many other cycling groups. In between, we also took in some country roads and shady forest paths.

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