The best gravel rides around Soignies

There are over 50 gravel bike trails in the Soignies region, offering a wide variety of distances and difficulty levels for all riders.

The trails around Soignies cater to various skill levels. You'll find 5 easy routes, 31 moderate routes, and 14 difficult routes, ensuring there's a challenge for everyone from beginners to advanced riders.

Gravel biking around Soignies offers a diverse landscape of rolling hills, extensive forest trails, and open country roads. You'll encounter paths traversing agricultural fields, charming villages, sections alongside waterways, and historic areas, providing a mix of surfaces suitable for gravel bikes. Many routes also incorporate sections of former railway lines (RAVeL).

While many routes in Soignies feature varied terrain, some of the easier routes, particularly those with less elevation gain and on smoother surfaces like RAVeL paths, can be suitable for families. For example, the Singletrack du Roeulx – Notre-Dame-du-Sart Chapel loop from Le Rœulx is an easy 27 km route with minimal elevation.

The region around Soignies is rich in history and natural beauty. You might encounter impressive structures like the Écaussinnes-Lalaing Castle or the historic Château of Thoricourt. Additionally, the area features unique industrial heritage such as the Ronquières Inclined Plane and various boat lifts along the canals.

The gravel biking experience in Soignies is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.4 stars from over 90 reviews. Riders often praise the varied terrain, the mix of forest trails and country roads, and the opportunity to explore charming villages and historic areas.

Yes, many of the gravel routes around Soignies are designed as loops, allowing you to start and finish at the same point. Examples include the Rebaix Village Center – Plachettes Road loop from Acren and the Old Lock – Chapel of Fièvres loop from Lessines.

Many gravel routes around Soignies start from towns and villages like Soignies, Braine-le-Comte, or Acren, where public parking is generally available. It's advisable to check local parking options near your chosen starting point before your ride.

Absolutely. For those seeking a challenge, routes like the Forest Trail Among the Ferns – Forest Path Through Hallerbos loop from Braine-le-Comte offer substantial climbs and difficult terrain, including a significant ascent through forested areas.

Spring and autumn generally offer the most pleasant conditions for gravel biking in Soignies, with milder temperatures and beautiful scenery. Summer can also be great, though some trails might be dustier. Winter riding is possible, but be prepared for potentially muddy sections and colder weather, especially on unpaved forest paths.

Yes, the gravel biking network around Soignies often includes sections of the RAVeL (Réseau Autonome de Voies Lentes) paths, which are former railway lines converted into multi-use trails. These offer smoother, flatter sections, often connecting different natural areas. The Tramway Path – RAVeL Écaussinnes Forest Path loop from Écaussinnes is a good example of a route utilizing the RAVeL network.