Green Ribbon Ostend

We know Ostend as a gem on the North Sea coast. The seaside town couples the grandeur of the Belle Époque with the artistic flair of Flemish Master James Ensor. We immediately recognise that opulence at our starting point, Ostend’s handsome railway station building. From here, we explore the rest of the city and the surrounding area. We set off and soon choose to head towards the water. A free ferry takes us and our bikes across the Montgomery dock, past dozens of pleasure boats. And then our cycling tour really begins. 

Via the peaceful surroundings of coastal municipality Bredene, we cycle on further to Zwaanhoek. This old and charming polder area is made up of numerous ditches and creeks. Every year, thousands of migratory birds come here to incubate their eggs. As we cruise past this nature reserve, we are already halfway through our trip. Whistling, we make a turn and set course back to Ostend. 

An appealing cycle path takes us through the greenery of Zandvoorde and Stene, two beautiful polder villages. Via the open-air cycling track and Astropolis Observatory, we return to our starting point. There another major highlight awaits: the many assets of the Flemish coast, a beautiful 67-kilometre stretch along the North Sea. We discover one of these for ourselves when we are in Mariakerke, a sub-municipality of Ostend. Besides the sun, sea and the beach, something else is noticeable there: art. 

We experience this again during the finale of this cycling adventure. Just before we turn onto the last straight line towards Ostend station, we cycle past Rock Strangers. These high, orange-red sculptures on the embankment are also part of the swirling Beaufort Sculpture Park. Smiling, we cycle on to the station, but actually we already know the way by then.   

There is still so much more to discover, both along the Flemish coast and in Ostend itself. The time has come to lock up our bikes safely. Then we can also explore the inner city, looking for even more highlights.