Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Blue Loop

Peloton Café

This cycling-themed pub is part of the Centrum Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders Center) and the place to be for lycra lovers.

Oude Kwaremont!

Distance

2.1km

Altimeters

92m

Three: that’s how many times riders must climb the famous Oude Kwaremont during the Ronde. The Oude Kwaremont is the longest cobbled climb of Flanders at 2200 meters long, and 92 meters of climbing. While it averages a nice “easy” 4% gradient it’s maximum gradient of 11.6 % lies in the middle of the climb – it’s not an easy feat to recover from that over cobbles. Indeed, if you fail to recover from it in time, you can consider a pause at In 't Palet on the corner of the village square.

Paterberg

Distance

0.4km

Altimeters

41m

It’s only a relatively recent addition to the Tour of Flanders, constructed in the 1980s on farmland by a landowner jealous of his friend's proximity to the Koppenberg every year, but the Paterberg has already achieved legendary status. With a maximum gradient of 20.33% and an average gradient of over 12%, it’s one of the steepest climbs in the region. The descent to the sharp right hand corner at the foot of the climb requires care and usually claims at least one victim every year on the Tour of Flanders.

Koppenberg

Distance

0.6km

Altimeters

62m

The ‘bump’ of Melden, as the Koppenberg is locally known, is guaranteed to add suspense to the Ronde, every year. Not surprisingly it has been listed as a national monument. This hill and over 100 acres of surrounding countryside add up to one the most beautiful natural hotspots in the Flemish Ardennes.The Koppenberg is also probably the most difficult climb in the region, combining maximum gradient of 20% with rutted, worn cobbles and a constantly greasy surface. There's no shame in having to stop. Better men than us have had to walk up here. Legend has it that the climb was introduced to the Tour of Flanders organisers by 2 time winner Walter Godefroot, but only after he'd retired so he wouldn't have to race up it.

Taaienberg

Distance

0.5km

Altimeters

33m

This hill lives up to its name. Taaienberg literally means ‘tough hill’ and the reason for this name will become clear when you ascend its 530m stretch of cobblestones. This wasTom Boonen’s favourite hill to test his early season form on with an annual attack in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad earning it the name of 'Boonenberg'.

Kanarieberg

Distance

0.9km

Altimeters

85m

Fly down canary hill. Watch out for the birds.

Oude Kruisberg

Distance

0.8km

Altimeters

54m

The 750m climb starts going gently uphill from the center of Ronse. The upper – and steepest – part of the climb has a roughly-paved cobbled surface, totaling 450 m of cobbles. The climb was first included in the Tour of Flanders route in 1973 and has become a fixed location in the route since the race's restyling in 2012. In recent years, it comes at 26 km from the finish in Oudenaarde, as the last cobbled climb before the iconic Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg climbs. The Kruisberg is also regularly included in the Three Days of De Panne, E3 Harelbeke.

Feeling tired?

​This authentic cycling bar is located in the Ronde van Vlaanderenstraat. Perfect place to hang out.

Last climb: Kluisberg

Distance

1.1km

Altimeters

67m

This is a nice paved climb of about 1 km . Over this distance, you climb 67 altimeters. The average percentage is 6 % with a maximum of 16 %.