Flax Lys cycle route

Kortrijk carries with it a centuries-old history, but at the same time it exudes a trendy vibe. You often experience this in the summer on Nelson Mandelaplein. It is then a time when all kinds of open-air concerts can be enjoyed. For us today, the square fulfils a different function. It is the starting point of our Flax Lys cycling tour. We will keep the urban enticements of Kortrijk for later, first we are going cycling. We set off and pedal away from the city. We cross the bridge and soon join up with the Lys. This river runs through the city like a lifeline. At the same time, it is the common thread for our cycling adventure through the south of the province of West-Vlaanderen (West Flanders).  

In the blink of an eye, we find ourselves on a standalone cycle path. And soon that turns into a road entirely free of motor vehicles. And so, we cycle on without a care in the world. This route takes us through Koning Albert Park and its proud, 100-year-old Wingnut tree. At the edge of the park, the banks of the river have been lowered so that you can relax by the water. A nice place, but right now we do not need to rest. Via this oasis, we move further away from Kortrijk. The bustling life there is something we will discover later.

But first, we pedal on through the green fields until we reach the water again. Here and there we apply the brakes and take our phones out of our pockets. The vistas along the old arms of the Lys make for beautiful pictures. After this brief photo break, we cycle on. Via the bridge, we make a 180-degree turn, ending up on the right bank of the Lys. At this point, we set calm our minds once again. We simply follow this beautiful river back to our starting point: the City of the Golden Spurs. Kortrijk owes this nickname to the legendary Battle of the Golden Spurs, which was fought here in 1302. By the way, that history is explained in detail in the heritage house 1302 where you can witness a breathtaking sound and light show.

But before we are back in the city again, we want to make one more stop. We veer away from the Lys for a while and make a diversion through De Gavers. This nature and recreation domain of nearly 200 hectares has a lot going for it. Do you like walking, swimming, playing, kayaking, sailing, surfing or stand-up paddle boarding? If so, De Gavers will be ideal for you. Nature lovers can find what they are looking for in the viewing huts, the bee site or the arboretum.