Discovering Bruges and its surroundings with a Vespa

09/03/22

Brugse Ommeland or cruising through the ‘Polder Landscape’.

This route is not only a scenic cycle route but also ideal for a scooter trip (60 km). The route departs from

the heart of Bruges and goes to the Ryckevelde nature reserve, Kasteel van Male, towards medieval Damme and from there to Koolkerke, Oostkerke Castle, Dudzele and the artists’ village of Lissewege. Then back via the polders to Sint-Pieters to Bruges.

Castle of Male
Rooigem Castle
Ryckevelde Domain
The Spycker
Historic centre of Damme
Huyse the Great Star
Fortress of Bavaria
Uilenspiegelmuseum
Castle of Oostkerke
Painters village Lissewege
St Peter’s Lake

Castles Route

Not only a nice cycling and walking route, but also ideal for a vespa tour (55 km).

The surrounding area of Bruges has a rich past with many castles and castle forests southwest of Bruges. (Sint-Andries, Sint-Michiels, Loppem and Jabbeke). Here we also depart from the centre of Bruges towards Tillegembos, Beisbroek (observatory), Tudor Castle, Magdalena estate, the woods of Loppem and the famous abbey of Zevenkerke.
Kevergem Castle and Schoonhove

Abbey church Steenbrugge
Nieuwburg Castle
Bethany Priory
Castle of Loppem
St Andrew’s Abbey of Zevenkerken
Tudor and Tillegem Castle
Castle Beisbroek farm ‘t Oosthof
Castle Bloemdale and Norenburg
Norenburg Castle

Damme-Sluis-Cadzand route

We ride the vespa (100 km route) from the centre of Bruges to Damme, Sluis and Cadzand.

Damme is a medieval town with partly preserved old city walls and the picturesque O.L.V. church with panoramic view. We leave Damme and drive via the Schipdonk canal to Sluis. Sluis lies just across the border in the Netherlands and is a typical Dutch town with a market, nice shops and pubs.

After this, we go to the Dutch coastal town Cadzand with nice bistros, restaurants and beach bars.

Afterwards, we take the ferry across the Westerschelde from Breskens to Vlissingen. With the scooter on the ferry, you can smell the sea and be one with nature (price €8). After the seaside resort and harbour of Vlissingen with its beautiful dunes and lovely view, it is time to return to Bruges. On the way, you can also relax in the famous Zwin Nature Park.

Castle De Spycker
Church of Our Lady in Damme and the medieval city walls
Leopold and Schipdonk Canal
Lapscheure and the Church of the Holy Trinity
The ramparts and the beautiful Belfry of Sluis
Cadzand-Bad with nice beach bars and beautiful dunes
Westerschelde: crossing with Ferryboat from Breskens to Vlissingen

Abbeys Route

We start again from the centre of Bruges and our route (60 km) winds along country lanes to Jabbeke and the Romanesque church of Ettelgem village. From here we continue to the old Roman site of Oudenburg with its Roman archaeological museum and the remains of the Sint-Pieters abbey. Afterwards we cruise to Gistel with the Abbey Ten Putte and the Sint-Godelievemuseum after which the villages Zevekote, Moere, Eernegem, Bekegem. Along the way, there is plenty of room for a picnic.