You don’t have to ride all the way to the south of Belgium for hills. The Flemish Ardennes, south of Ghent, work fine for a shorter day out. The real question is a practical one: do you want to finish where you started, or can the ride end somewhere else?
Here are three routes on Motarva. Two start and finish in Oudenaarde. The third runs from Zottegem to Geraardsbergen. All three are under 140 km, but each one shapes your day in its own way.
Which one fits your day?
| Route | Distance (approx.) | Shape | Pick it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| De Vlaamse Ardennen | 81 km | Loop from Oudenaarde | you want the shortest option |
| Zottegem-Geraardsbergen | 118 km | A to B | you want to finish somewhere else |
| Vlaamse Ardennen (2020) | 137 km | Loop from Oudenaarde | you want more kilometres from the same base |
Distances are rounded. The “2020” in the last name belongs to the route file; it says nothing about the state of the roads today.
1. A compact loop from Oudenaarde
At about 81 km, this is the short one. You leave Oudenaarde and come back to it, which makes it easy to fit around something fixed later in the day, or to combine with a stop in town. Even at this distance, leave yourself time for breaks.
2. From Zottegem to Geraardsbergen
About 118 km, and it needs a different plan: you don’t end where you began. That can be exactly right if you’re meeting someone in Geraardsbergen or want to wrap up your ride there. Just work out how much time and distance you still need to get home afterwards.
Open the route between the two towns.
3. A longer loop from Oudenaarde
Listed on Motarva as Vlaamse Ardennen (2020), this one is about 137 km and also starts and finishes in Oudenaarde. Put its map next to the short loop: more kilometres does not mean the same ride with an extra bit tacked on. Choose it as a route in its own right, on the line it takes and the time you have.
Keep the day relaxed
You don’t need to plan every minute. Pick one route, plan one proper break, and leave it at that. The ride stays the main thing, and there’s no list of stops to tick off on the way.
The area is popular with cyclists and walkers too. Expect other traffic, narrow sections and changing road surfaces. A famous cycling climb is not automatically a good road on a motorcycle. If you want to add a road of your own, check that it’s open to you and that the surface suits your plans.
For general ideas for the day, have a look at Visit Vlaamse Ardennen. Their tips add to your day; they don’t mean a place lies on one of these GPX files.
Frequently asked questions
Which route is the shortest?
The De Vlaamse Ardennen loop from Oudenaarde, at about 81 km.
Can I ride all three as a loop?
Two are loops. For Zottegem to Geraardsbergen, add your own way back if you want to return to the start.
Can I change a route?
To put together a different line yourself, try the route planner. Look over your changed ride again before you set off.
All three routes were shared by Motorrijder.be. Check the full line and current conditions on each route page. There’s more on the page with motorcycle routes in the Flemish Ardennes. The GPX files are yours with a free Motarva account.
Got a loop of your own around here? Share it on Motarva so other riders can ride it too. Motarva for iPhone is free in the App Store.
