A new gravel bike path has opened in Diksmuide, located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The Frontzate route spans over some 50 kilometres and is perfect for cyclists who want to combine a moderate workout with some historical sightseeing.
Gravel routes are a popular choice among cyclists who want to avoid busy roads without going off-road altogether. However, such paths aren’t necessarily easy to find – in West Flanders, for example, unpaved paths are a rare sight according to Jesse Clarysse of Sport Vlaanderen, Flanders’ sports administration. Putting together an entire gravel bike route is therefore no light task.
“Of course, West Flanders already possessed gravel routes. But these were provided by commercial partners or via online route planners such as Strava, Komoot, and RouteYou. The problem with these routes is that they are not always officially accessible; sometimes they run across private land or through nature reserves where cyclists are not permitted,” Jesse Clarysse told Belgian media outlet VRT NWS.
In order to expand the existing cycling network in West Flanders and to add a gravel bike path to the list of possibilities, a new cycling route has now opened in the town of Diksmuide. With a length of 50 kilometres – approximately half of which are gravel paths – and just 12 altitude meters overall, the route has been designed specifically for families and beginning (gravel) cyclists.
“There is also a strong focus on safety. And more experienced gravel cyclists can incorporate the route into a longer ride,” Clarysse explained.
Data from the Belgian mobility federation Traxio show that over 23,000 gravel bikes were sold in Belgium during 2025, a number that increases by 3,000 to 4,000 bikes on a yearly basis. While sales for mountain bikes are slightly decreasing, the more versatile gravel bikes are thus gaining in popularity.
Along the Frontzate route, cyclists will not only be able to marvel at the natural beauty of the region, but they will also get to see a number of World War I monuments and locations. Starting from the IJzerboomgaard provincial estate, the route takes visitors past the Dodengang memorial site and the so-called Trench of Silence, among others.
Moreover, a selection of cafés and restaurants along the route allows for a comfortable stop every now and then. Sport Vlaanderen specifically mentions Café de IJzerboomgaard (at the start), Perron 74 (11 kilometres in), Boer Bart (15 kilometres), and restaurant Zannekin (36 kilometres).
For the town of Diksmuide, which is already known for its many World War I sites, the opening of the path marks a new way to attract visitors, while also adding an extra option for locals.
“We want to stimulate residents as well as visitors to get on their bike and to discover our region in an active way. Over the next few years, we aim to develop even more offroad routes”, Diksmuide’s alderman for Sports, Marc De Keyrel, told the Belgian newspaper HLN.
Although the Frontzate route has been officially inaugurated, the path is not signposted. Cyclists who want to follow the path can download the GPX file online.
