The best cycling routes around Eeklo

De Lieve is a historic inland waterway that was dug between 1251 and 1269 to connect Ghent with Damme (originally Aardenburg). In the 13th and 14th centuries, the canal experienced its golden age. Even when the Zwin began to silt up in the 14th and 15th centuries, and later new waterways were constructed — such as the Sasse Vaart in the 16th century and the Ghent-Bruges Canal in 1613-1614 — De Lieve retained its original function until the beginning of the 18th century. Today, parts of De Lieve are still visible. In Ghent, Evergem, and Lievegem, the canal still exists in some places as an open watercourse. In the municipality of Damme, the route is mainly recognizable as a wide strip in the landscape.

The Lieve is a historic inland waterway that was dug between 1251 and 1269 to connect Ghent with Damme (originally Aardenburg). The canal experienced its heyday in the 13th and 14th centuries. Even when the Zwin began to silt up in the 14th and 15th centuries, and later new waterways were built — such as the Sasse Vaart in the 16th century and the Ghent-Bruges Canal in 1613-1614 — the Lieve retained its original function until the beginning of the 18th century. Today, parts of the Lieve are still visible. In Ghent, Evergem, and Lievegem, the canal still exists in some places as an open watercourse. In the municipality of Damme, the route is mainly recognizable as a wide strip in the landscape.

According to legend, a young man who could not speak miraculously regained his voice by praying at the statue of Mary that hung here in an oak tree. A lively devotion developed at this spot. The oldest mention of a chapel dates back to 1457. At the beginning of the Calvinist rule (1577-78), the chapel was destroyed. In 1613, a new, larger chapel was consecrated. Archdukes Albrecht and Isabella visited the pilgrimage site in 1618. The 'courtyard around the chapel provides an oasis of green. In 1731, a certain J.B. Van Kerckvoorde, after a miraculous recovery, donated 15 processional chapels depicting the mysteries of Our Lady. The organ (1857) is attributed to P.C. Van Peteghem and has been protected as a monument since 1980; the chapel since 1994. source: information board on site

De Lieve is a historic inland waterway canal that was dug between 1251 and 1269 from Ghent to Damme, originally Aardenburg. The period of prosperity is situated in the 13th and 14th centuries. Despite the silting up of the Zwin (early 14th and early 15th centuries), the digging of the Sasse Vaart in the mid-16th century, and the digging of the Ghent - Bruges canal in 1613-1614, it retained its original function until the beginning of the 18th century. In Ghent, Evergem, and Lievegem, the Lieve has been preserved as an open watercourse in sections. The route within the municipality of Damme has been preserved as a wide strip in the landscape. Source: https://www.lievegem.be/de-lieve

Graveldreef at Drongengoed allows you to enjoy a historically mixed landscape.

Place of contemplation. The stairs invite you to admire the highlight up close.

Nice cycle path through the Drongengoedbos. Be aware that it can get quite busy here. Enjoy together, each at your own pace.

Historic location with a beautiful memorial. The idea and design were provided by the B-67 working group, founded in 2010. In the memorial, you can see a Typhoon and swallows. The link with the present and past are beautifully displayed here. 'Where once Typhoons took off for our freedom, now swallows fly in full freedom'. What flew and what flies now is interwoven in the memorial.