Antwerp has changed enormously in recent years. Hop on your bike to see first-hand how much it’s changed with this nice cycling route from Boom to Antwerp and back. Along the way you can enjoy beautiful nature and rural roads. In Antwerp, the possibilities are endless, from discovering visual art to visiting museums or enjoying a nice, leisurely lunch on a sunny terrace ... Tip: don’t forget to attach your bicycle bags to your ride. Whether you love good chocolate, enjoy shopping for nice clothes or a good read, there’s always something that will make your heart sing in the city’s many shops.

The route starts from the Velodroom cycling museum at junction 26. Cycle through De Schorre, where the world-famous Tomorrowland festival is held every year. You can take an alternative route along Bosstraat (follow the junction signs). This street is the only slope worthy of the name in the province of Antwerp. So get ready to test your legs. Whichever route you follow, your reward is the descent after this modest climb.

Next you drive through rural Reet. Some parts of the route are unpaved, but the roads are passable for the most part. Continue through Aartselaar and then cross the A12. Cleydael is the next highlight of this route. Cycling through this wooded area is a wonderful experience. Need a break? Turn right at Groenenhoek and drive to Milagrow organic farm, where you can sample tasty organic products on the terrace of the farm shop.

At junction 33, turn right in the direction of junction 51. You are now entering the territory of Antwerp. Pass the Wilrijk Cycling Center, where you can ride laps on the cycling track. It also has an inline skating rink and a BMX track. On the other side of the A12 you wind your way from one green area to another. Park van Eden, Fort 6, Steytelinckpark… a great cycling trail through plenty of green space. A little later you ride through a picturesque residential neighbourhood. The unique homes in this neighbourhood will definitely fuel your imagination. Next up, Antwerp’s “lungs”: Den Brandt, Middelheim and Vogelenzang combine to form the larger Nachtegalen Park. Check out the Middelheim Museum’s sculpture park while you’re there. It’s a must-see. 

You have now reached the Antwerp Ring road. After the Crowne Plaza hotel, turn left onto the Ring cycle path to discover a hidden gem, called Mastvest. The two bridges, which were built here during the 1930 Antwerp World Exhibition, are the park’s real eye-catchers. Follow the Ring cycle path and the long bridge of Generaal Armstrongweg to reach the Scheldt quays near the Kennedy tunnel. Then continue northbound along the quays to enjoy the view of Antwerp’s skyline. Don’t forget to look up at the buildings that line the Scheldt quays because there are plenty of architectural gems to see along the way. Steenplein is a good place to park your bike, walk down Suikerrui and into the city centre. A nice lunch, some shopping, visiting a museum… everything is possible in Antwerp.

Afterwards, cycle southbound along the Scheldt quays to get back to where you started. For once, retracing your steps is not such a hassle. Cycle up on the new dike and gaze at the wide Scheldt river from the renovated Scheldt quays. You then cycle through a new part of Antwerp, called Blue Gate, which is Antwerp’s first sustainable business park. If you ever visited Petroleum Zuid in the past, you will be amazed to see how much has changed here. The route takes you through a vast area, past lots of greenery and water features while you enjoy the tranquillity. The whirr of your bike wheels is the only thing you’ll hear.

You have now reached Hoboken. Ride over the bridge and take a right turn. You are now on the cycle path that was named after Rik Van Linden, a well-known Antwerp road bicycle racer in the 1970s. This path is part of the F13, the future bicycle highway between Antwerp and Boom. On the other side of the path you can distinguish the trees of Hobokense Polder, one of the most beautiful nature reserves on the territory of the city of Antwerp. Cycle past junctions 42 and 43 to reach Fort 8. Follow the road to Sint-Bernardsesteenweg. Take the cycle path southwards, cross the railway, and turn right onto Callebeekstraat. A gentle descent takes you to the Scheldt and to the ferry to Kruibeke. Stay on this side of the river and follow junctions 85, 30 and 34 instead.

A lovely scenic route takes you along the Scheldt and through rural Schelle. You are riding on the banks of the Rupel river in Niel. Follow the towpath along the Rupel for a while. The route cuts through the centre of Niel until you reach the cycle path next to the railway line. This section is another, completed part of the future F13 bicycle highway. It takes you back to Boom, where you can enjoy the view over the Rupel. Return to your starting point. Treat yourself to a delicious ice cream, a thirst-quenching Kwaremont beer and a side order of bitterballen as a reward for your efforts at the cosy De Musette cycling pub.