The best cycling routes around Handelsdok

De Lieve is a historic inland waterway that was dug between 1251 and 1269 to connect Ghent with Damme (originally Aardenburg). In the 13th and 14th centuries, the canal experienced its golden age. Even when the Zwin began to silt up in the 14th and 15th centuries, and later new waterways were constructed — such as the Sasse Vaart in the 16th century and the Ghent-Bruges Canal in 1613-1614 — De Lieve retained its original function until the beginning of the 18th century. Today, parts of De Lieve are still visible. In Ghent, Evergem, and Lievegem, the canal still exists in some places as an open watercourse. In the municipality of Damme, the route is mainly recognizable as a wide strip in the landscape.

The Lieve is a historic inland waterway that was dug between 1251 and 1269 to connect Ghent with Damme (originally Aardenburg). The canal experienced its heyday in the 13th and 14th centuries. Even when the Zwin began to silt up in the 14th and 15th centuries, and later new waterways were built — such as the Sasse Vaart in the 16th century and the Ghent-Bruges Canal in 1613-1614 — the Lieve retained its original function until the beginning of the 18th century. Today, parts of the Lieve are still visible. In Ghent, Evergem, and Lievegem, the canal still exists in some places as an open watercourse. In the municipality of Damme, the route is mainly recognizable as a wide strip in the landscape.

The Drongenplein is the heart of the old village center of Drongen. The design of the Drongenplein with its pollarded lime trees and footpaths is full of nods to the past. The corten steel fencing shows the boundaries of the churchyard that was located here until the 19th century. The paths follow a route that is still visible on old city maps, and the curved bench at the war memorial is a reference to the meandering Leie.

The De Assels nature reserve is part of the Levende Leie Nature Park, an extensive valley from Deinze to Ghent where nature is central. The meandering Leie forms the connecting axis between the different parts. The Meersen area is a small island between Drongen and Afsnee. The Old Leie winds through the landscape of the Assels. The grasslands are interwoven with ditches.

For those wondering why there was never a wider bridge to connect Assel to the civilized world: this 1927 four-part bridge is a protected monument and was restored quite recently. It therefore remains millimeter work for trucks that need to get to the other side. The name Pontbrug points to a further past when there was only a pontoon or ferry service here.

De Lieve is a historic inland waterway canal that was dug between 1251 and 1269 from Ghent to Damme, originally Aardenburg. The period of prosperity is situated in the 13th and 14th centuries. Despite the silting up of the Zwin (early 14th and early 15th centuries), the digging of the Sasse Vaart in the mid-16th century, and the digging of the Ghent - Bruges canal in 1613-1614, it retained its original function until the beginning of the 18th century. In Ghent, Evergem, and Lievegem, the Lieve has been preserved as an open watercourse in sections. The route within the municipality of Damme has been preserved as a wide strip in the landscape. Source: https://www.lievegem.be/de-lieve

The two canals that intersect here (near Merendree and Zomergem, not Sint-Joris, as initially mentioned here) are the Ghent-Bruges Canal and the Schipdonk Canal. This point is known as the Schipdonk Lock.

Best to check openings hours before you go, because the bar is not always open.