Through the polders to Bruges

The polders owe everything to the sea. Until the early Middle Ages, this marshy area was regularly flooded by the sea. Thus, clay was deposited, which is so important for the soil of the polders. From the second half of the 11th century, dykes were constructed to protect the land from the sea: the diking began. Today, it is the polder administrations that are responsible for water management. The water level in the ground and the waterways must be kept in balance to meet the needs of farmers, nature lovers, and anglers.
Enjoying this route is not limited to fields, meadows, and waterways; take a look at the sky as well. Nowhere in Flanders is the sky as beautiful as over the polders. And in Bruges, you can enjoy history, monuments, and terraces to your heart's content.

DIRECTIONS
Signposts of the Brugse Ommeland bicycle network.

SAFETY
A fairly safe route as long as you stay on rural roads. In the vicinity of heavily trafficked roads and in Bruges, you should be very careful.

NATURE OF THE PATH
Paved roads everywhere. 5% traffic-free.

RECOMMENDED STARTING POINT
Node 18 on the Nieuwe Steenweg in Zuienkerke, at the intersection with Blankenbergsedijk North and Blankenbergsedijk South.

INFORMATION
- VVV Zuienkerke, Town Hall, Kerkstraat 17, 8377 Zuienkerke, 050 41 14 14, www.zuienkerke.com.

- Tourism Bruges, Burg 11, 8000 Bruges, 050 44 86 86, toerisme@brugge.be, www.brugge.be.

BIKE RENTAL
You cannot rent bikes in the immediate vicinity.

FOOD AND DRINK
- Café Boldershof, Kerkstraat 13, Zuienkerke, 050 41 24 47. A quiet village café, the only café in Zuienkerke.