Lys region route
Lys region route
Start
Start: Ghent
Picturesque region linked to one big city: Ghent. Home to centuries-old culture and heritage, including the masterpiece Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. Lots to experience, but we will do that later. First we cycle away from the city, in search of the Lys, one of the main attractions on this cycling journey. We hook up immediately with the river. It takes us first through a piece of urban Ghent. We cycle past the city museum STAM, music centre De Bijloke and the former courthouse. We cross over the centre of Veldstraat, the iconic shopping street, and pedal on. After a short urban detour, we rejoin the Lys which takes us in the direction of De Pinte.
A green lung
Via cycle highway F4 – an arrow-straight road apart from the spiral bridges over the motorway – we arrive at the vast Parkbos. This nature area is one of the youngest green lungs around Ghent. The 1,200-hectare estate extends over four municipalities and boroughs. In this zone, you will find not only nature, but also heritage. It is an area that is home to no fewer than nine castles, including the neoclassical Grand Noble (De Pinte) with its beautiful avenues. We stop cycling for a while and go for a walk. We admire the atmospheric castle park with its coach houses and gardener’s cottage. A picnic bench gives us the chance to take a breather. Then we hit the road again.
A lock and a castle
The snooker table-flat cycle path along the railway line leads us now towards the artistically-minded cycling city of Deinze. Nature lovers may want to make a small detour along the way to visit the Hospice woods (Nazareth) with their enormous biodiversity. Once in Deinze, we reconnect with the Lys. After about an hour in and around all that is green, we find the blue again. The low-traffic path along the banks guides us to a special heritage highlight: Astene Lock. This historic drawbridge is still operated manually. You can also see a well-preserved lock and a convivial café full of ship attributes and curiosities. After another stretch of the Lys, stately avenues carry us further on, with tall trees on both sides. That brings us to Ooidonk Castle. This Renaissance castle is one of the most beautiful gems in the region. The impressive towers and stepped gables radiate an abundance of allure. You can also take a closer look at this domain. The beautifully tended gardens are open to the public (3 euros), while to visit Ooidonk Castle it is best to check the opening hours on the website.
Artists’ villages
Via the so-called Blue Gate, the historic entrance to the domain, we cycle away from Ooidonk. Twice right, once left, again right and then straight on. That is how we arrive in Deurle, once voted the most beautiful village in Flanders. Just like its main municipality Sint-Martens-Latem, this picturesque place is known as an artists’ village. We feel this in Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens, which is built around the impressive private collection of an art-loving couple. After their death, all that beauty was brought together in this place, which today still continues to be an important arts centre. Take a look at the website for the opening hours. Furthermore, with the Gust De Smet and Gevaert-Minne museums, there are two other artistic gems just around the corner.
In Deurle, our route is now well past its halfway point. So it’s time for a well-earned cultural stopover. After this artistic intermezzo, we pedal on. A spotless asphalt road takes us straight through the Latem Meersen nature area towards Sint-Martens-Latem. This village is a painting in itself. More than 100 years ago, numerous artists immortalised the recognisable double bend in the River Lys, which we also see today. Winding through this pretty village, the kilometres fly by.
The old abbey
Bit by bit, we cycle back into the outskirts of Ghent. In the village of Afsnee, we take a short break from the bicycle. To continue on our route, we have to cross the Lys. A little ferryboat takes us safely across to the other side, free of charge. A winding gravel path, between the Lys and the De Assels nature park, brings us to the old Drongen Abbey. Those who are cycling in a group might like to pay a visit to this Norbertine abbey. The neo-Gothic chapel, ambulatory and many works of art are more than worth seeing.
Finish: Ghent
With the abbey, we have ticked off all of the planned stops on our list. The last kilometres of our adventure are upon us. But the adventure is not quite over yet. We make our way back to the historic centre of Ghent. And there a treasure trove of art, heritage, celebration and entertainment awaits us. It is here that our good friend the Lys joins the Scheldt. Where two vital arteries converge, a vibrant city emerges. Heritage such as the Gravensteen Castle, the three towers and the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb? Definitely worth a visit. The vibrant, effervescent life full of cultural houses, restaurants and cafés? Equally worth a visit. Because Ghent is eternally worth discovering. A dream conclusion to a delightful cycling adventure.
Finish
Practical
- Parking:
Parking Gent-Sint-Pieters - Public transport:
Station Gent Sint-Pieters (2.2 km from the start of the route = 8-minute bicycle ride) - Bicycles for hire:
De fietsambassade - Nodes:
52 – 4 – 31 – 5 – 82 – 42 – 2 – 87 – 88 – 22 – 23 – 20 – 14 – 13 – 6 – 9 – 11 – 12 – 90 – 86 – 76 – 74 – 67 – 63 – 62 – 57 – 68 - 52
