16 km single-track MTB in the woods and canal around Hertsberge/Bulskampveld - shortened

This is a 7 km shorter version of the original route you will find here. The shortening consists of the deletion of a last local loop in the Lippensgoed-Bulskampveld. The off-road section remains intact.

With this ride we aim to do as much single track in the area as possible. We combine the MTB track of Kampveld with the technical part along the canal, and the green loop MTB of Ruiselede with its MTB track in the Vagevuurbossen . Attention: there are a few deviations on the green loop. Anyone who simply follows the green loop will also end up.

On the part from Sint-Joris to the marina of Beernem (km 23.5) we deviate from the path and dive down at the industrial park to take the technical part along the banks of the canal. This is not included in the route because this path is not part of the map.

Start at the parking lot behind the church of Hertsberge. It is also possible to start at parking Het Aanwijs (km 30). The latter is certainly a good idea if you want an easier paved part about halfway, instead of this being fairly early (part between the pillory and the canal).

We drive to a new path (2023) that connects Hertsberge directly with the Kampveld. You can spot deer here. We arrive at the MTB track of Oostkamp, 4 km single track.

Continue along the Oostkamp pillory (not visible from the road), over the E40 and under the railway line to the canal. Along the canal there is a piece of single track of about 1 km to the left at the old barracks. A little further on we cross the canal via the bicycle and pedestrian bridge. Immediately we dive down to ride 3 km of single track along the canal to Sint-Joris.

We now return along the old canal "Miseriebocht" and dive down in the second part to wind along the bank for 1 km of single track between the trees. At the beginning of the marina we turn left to get back on the E40 via a park (we are in Turkey, really!) and the station of Beernem (get off!) We now turn left to do a piece of technical single track of 0.5 km . This is already the green loop but for the next 2 km we do it mainly in the opposite direction.

We dive into the purgatory woods where about 3 km of single track awaits us. We are now on the green loop that we largely follow to our starting point. We deviate from doing a few extra single tracks. We pass the ship's well where sailors used to receive training ... Via a detour along De Zande we do another 1 km of single-track.

Through the Sint-Pietersveld we arrive at the broadcasting masts of De Radio. Attention, on the Bruggesteenweg in Ruiselede we turn left into a footpath across a trimmed lawn to the Gulk Putten cemetery . This seems to be a private domain , but it is indeed a public path (see the sign that indicates the walking path).

A few kilometers further we deviate from the green loop that turns left into Predikherenstraat. we go diagonally straight ahead to take 1 km of single-track to Wildenburg where we are again on the green loop. This brings us to the Vorseponds where a piece of Single-track of 0.7 km awaits us.

We are now in the woods of Hertsberge and deviate again from the green loop to take a 0.5 km section of singletrack with us. We are now only a few hundred meters from the starting place and instead of knitting another 7.5 km loop we go to the starting place.

Possible stops:

Boathouse: 17 km one way (Beernem marina - continue at Beernem bicycle bridge)

De Kijkuit outdoor sport: 18 km (across the Beernem marina)

De Brug: 21 km (Brug Sint-Joris - closed 12.30 pm - 4 pm)

Boat house: 24 km back (continue at marina Beernem)

The seventh heaven: 25 km (Beernem station)

Brasserie De Radio: 37 km

Blauwhuis: 43 km (turn right Wildenburg)

Be sure to also consult the information about the sights once you are there . They explain what you get to see!

08/2023