Belgium is the heartland of professional cycling. Nowhere else on earth do the roads carry this much history, this much drama, this much meaning. Belgium: Classic Climbs is a seven-day belgium road cycling tour built around the routes that define the sport — from the cobbled bergs of Flanders to the long, punishing climbs of the Ardennes.
The week begins in Ypres, where the roads of the Heuvelland wind through the landscapes of the First World War before rising onto the Kemmelberg and the classic climbs of Gent-Wevelgem. A transfer to Oudenaarde sets up the centrepiece: a full day on the roads of De Ronde van Vlaanderen, taking in the Koppenberg, Oude Kwaremont, and Paterberg — the climbs that have decided monuments and ended careers. Then east, via the iconic Muur van Geraardsbergen, as the landscape shifts from Flemish cobbles to the forested valleys of Wallonia. The final three days ride out of Spa into the Ardennes, on the roads of Liège-Bastogne-Liège, finishing on the roof of Belgium at Signal de Botrange.
This is a Level 4 Epic. 589 km. 7,638 m of climbing. Six consecutive days in the saddle. The tour is guided and fully supported throughout, with two included transfers and full board accommodation across three well-chosen bases. It is designed for riders who want to do more than follow the Classics. They want to ride them.
Rated 4 out of 4 our Epic tours are designed for people who train 3 or 4 times a week and are looking to push themselves on back to back challenging days on the bike. Riders should be confident riding in a small group, comfortable on extended climbs (at your own pace) and have good bike handling skills on corners and descents. E-bikes are available on all of our tours.
Ypres is where this week earns its meaning. The medieval cloth hall, the rebuilt city walls, the roads threading through a landscape still marked by what happened here over a century ago. Before a berg is climbed, this place deserves your full attention.
The opening ride covers 44.6 km and 190 m, passing Tyne Cot Cemetery, one of the most significant Commonwealth war cemeteries in the world, through Polygon Wood and over Hill 60. Quiet roads through extraordinary ground.
This evening, the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate takes place at 8:00 PM, as it has every night since 1928.
>> Must do: Last Post ceremony, Menin Gate, 8:00 PM
The belgian classic climbs begin in earnest. 106.6 km, 1,148 m through the Heuvelland hill country, home of Gent-Wevelgem, where the bergs are short, steep, and relentless.
The route crosses into France twice, taking in the Mont des Cats before returning to Belgian roads for the headline act: the Kemmelberg. At 156 metres it is the highest point in West Flanders, its cobbled flanks hitting 20% and demanding everything you have. The Monteberg, Scherpenberg, and Vidaigneberg follow. These are the climbs that shaped cycling in Flanders long before they shaped the race calendar. Chapeau if you conquer them all.
>> Key climbs: Mont des Cats | Kemmelberg (max 20%, cobbled) | Monteberg | Scherpenberg | Vidaigneberg
Transfer to Oudenaarde, the spiritual capital of Flemish cycling, then ride 109.2 km and 1,192 m across the roads of De Ronde van Vlaanderen. This is a flanders cycling tour on the roads that define the sport. Not to watch. To ride.
The Koppenberg needs no introduction to anyone who follows the Classics. Six hundred metres of cobblestones, 22% at the trickiest sections, a climb that is genuinely difficult even for top professionals. The Oude Kwaremont, Paterberg, Valkenberg, and Berendries complete a route built from Classics legend. Painted road markings, giant portraits of Flandriens on the roadside, the Ronde van Vlaanderenstraat lining the approach. This is sacred ground for anyone who loves cycling.
Afterwards, the Centrum Ronde van Vlaanderen museum is worth every minute.
>> Key climbs: Koppenberg (600m, max 22%) | Oude Kwaremont | Paterberg (max 20%) | Valkenberg | Berendries
Two Belgiums in one day. 118.6 km, 1,068 m, starting in the cobbled world of the Flemish Ardennes and finishing in the forested valleys of Wallonia.
The Muur van Geraardsbergen rises from the market square of Geraardsbergen on cobbled streets, past a tribute to Eddy Merckx, all the way to the chapel at the summit. At 910 metres with an average of 9% and a maximum of 20%, it was for decades the decisive climb of De Ronde. The Bosberg follows as a fitting farewell to Flanders before the roads open east. The Inclined Plane of Ronquières — a boat lift bridging a 68-metre height difference on 1.4 km of rails — marks the crossing into Wallonia. Van transfer to Spa completes the day.
>> Key climbs: Kluisberg | Muziekberg | Muur van Geraardsbergen (910m, max 20%) | Bosberg
The hardest day on the tour. 110.3 km, 2,475 m of climbing through the Ardennes on the roads made legendary by La Doyenne, the oldest monument in professional cycling.
These climbs are unlike anything in Flanders. Long, sustained, relentless ascents through beech forests and river valleys. The route takes in some of the same terrain covered by Liège-Bastogne-Liège, including the Côte de Stockeu, Col du Rosier, Côte de Wanne, and La Redoute. At the Côte de Stockeu, the statue of Eddy Merckx watches from the roadside. Five wins in this race. Stop and pay your respects.
>> Key climbs: Côte de Stockeu | Haute Levée | Col du Rosier | La Redoute | Côte de Wanne
The final day. 100.1 km, 1,565 m through the Hautes Fagnes nature reserve, Belgium’s largest, a sweeping plateau of moorland where the roads stretch wide and the sky opens up.
The Signal de Botrange at 694 metres is the highest point in Belgium. After a week that began at sea level in Ypres, the summit of Baraque Michel arrives as a genuine reward. 589.4 km. 7,638 m. Ypres to Spa. The complete Belgium, ridden corner to corner.
>> Key climbs: Col du Maquisard | La Vecquée | Côte de Rivage | Signal de Botrange (694m)
Your final morning in Spa. Breakfast is included before you make your way home.
Brussels airport is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes by car, or travel onward by train from Spa station.
Full Support
Enjoy small group sizes and professional, personal support all week from your guides & support vehicle.
We work with an industry leading guide to guest ratio – expect up to 4 guests per guide on the trip with guides leading the way on the road and a support vehicle close by at all times. Note that for groups of 4 riders or less this tour is run as a guided trip without the support vehicle.
The ride support vehicle is stocked with natural ride nutrition, electrolytes and water, as well as a full set of tools to resolve any mechanicals. On selected days the support crew will serve a delicious picnic lunch in a scenic location en route. Enjoy local foods chosen to keep you feeling energized and healthy.
Eat Sleep Cycle guides are experienced riders from all walks of life united by a love of cycling who’ll help to keep the group safe, motivated and savouring the trip of a lifetime.
All guests will receive access to our digital Road Book and routes, giving everyone the flexibility to ride at their own pace.
Hotels shown are examples and are subject to change
Stay at this charming 4* boutique hotel located in a historic 16th-century building in Oudenaarde. Hotel Steenhuyse offers a peaceful garden, stylish rooms, and a refined restaurant. Cyclists will appreciate the secure bike storage and its perfect location, just a 1-minute walk from the Tour of Flanders Centre.
Stay at this iconic 4* hotel in the heart of the historic city of Spa. Van der Valk Hotel Spa offers a secure bike storage, a modern fitness center, and a direct funicular connection to the thermal baths. Relax on the panoramic terrace or enjoy a meal at their elegant restaurant. The stunning Ardennes cycling routes start right outside your door.
Stay at our favorite cyclist-friendly hotel in Ypres. Ariane Hotel is a modern 4* family-run hotel featuring a secure bike shed with e-bike charging, a cozy bar, and a refined restaurant. Enjoy a peaceful stay in their renovated rooms and a beautiful garden. The historic Grote Markt is just a 7-minute walk away
Bike hire is not included in the tour. Add bike rental to the trip from €60 per day.Bikes shown here are examples and are subject to availabilty at the time of booking. We'll let you know the available options in your size when you book with us.
Crying out Italian Style and with an excellent ride feel (this bike is designed for everyday riding) you will love this brand new Italian made Basso SV:
Light aerodynamioc yet comfortable carbon frame. High precision Shimano Ultegra di2 groupset. Fulcrum Wind Carbon wheels.
The Wilier Filante SL guarantees a first-class weight, a precise ride and a great aesthetic clarity thanks to the integrated cables. Carbon Monocoque frame with full internal cable routing. New fully integrated one piece carbon handlebar. Electronic Shimano 105 Di2 shifting. Carbon wheels, 50 mm profile. Chainrings: 50/34, Cassette: 11-34
The Wilier Garda is the entry level carbon road bike by Wilier, but you will not be disappointed. This is the brand new updated Garda for 2025 with integrated cabling and a comfortable geometry for long days in the saddle if you wish. Carbon frame. Shimano 105 12 speed groupset. Alloy wheels. Crankset 50/34, Cassette 11-34
A proud Fleming with deep Belgian cycling roots, Arno perfectly blends his heritage with a love for Catalan roads. Whether leading you over smooth tarmac or dusty gravel, his experience across Europe’s iconic peaks from the Alps to the Dolomites ensures every ride is professional, safe, and truly unforgettable.
If you love cycling, put a Belgium cycling holiday high on your bucket list. From the cobbled bergs of Flanders to the forests of the Ardennes, Belgium offers some of the most iconic roads in the sport. A destination steeped in cycling history, with monuments, classics and culture at every turn. Best ridden June through August.
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