Flanders Divide is a self-supported bikepacking route that crosses the entire region of Flanders, connecting the forests and mining landscapes of eastern Belgium with the North Sea coast. Created by the Belgian collective DirtyDropbars, the route showcases the incredible variety of terrain hidden within one of Europe’s most cycling-obsessed regions.
The route covers approximately 567 kilometres with around 3,700–4,200 metres of elevation gain, starting in Genk and finishing in Ostend. More than 40% of the route is unpaved, linking gravel paths, forest roads, canal towpaths, and quiet country lanes across Flanders. Riders pass through the forests of Limburg, the Meerdaal Forest, the Sonian Forest, the iconic Muur van Geraardsbergen, the cobbled climbs of the Flemish Ardennes, and the historic city of Bruges before reaching the Belgian coast.
Unlike a traditional race, Flanders Divide is primarily an adventure route that riders can tackle at their own pace. The challenge lies not in extreme elevation or remote wilderness, but in maintaining momentum across constantly changing terrain while experiencing the rich cycling culture that defines Flanders.
Combining flowing gravel, legendary cobbled climbs, dense forests, and historic towns, Flanders Divide offers an accessible yet rewarding bikepacking experience. It is an ideal introduction to multi-day gravel adventures while still delivering enough distance and variety to satisfy experienced ultra-distance riders.
GPS tracks and route files are provided for reference only. Always verify with official event resources before riding.
Based on this event's terrain, difficulty and riding style.
Flanders Frontiers Ultra covers 567 km with 4000 m of climbing along the way — a fairly gentle profile from start to finish.
Flanders Frontiers Ultra's terrain calls for a Gravel Bike, ideally running 45-50mm Tubeless tires. On the drivetrain side, a 38-40T (1x) chainring matched to a 10-51T cassette gives enough range for the climbing involved.
Flanders Frontiers Ultra carries an overall difficulty rating of Intermediate. The terrain itself is rough, technical terrain for a good stretch of the route, the climbing is fairly flat, and conditions tend to run mild and generally comfortable.
Flanders Frontiers Ultra runs on August 22, 2026, placing it firmly in the summer riding season, with long daylight hours, though heat can become a real factor.
Surface-wise, expect gravel and road throughout Flanders Frontiers Ultra — 45-50mm Tubeless tires are a safe bet.