The best e-bike routes around Antwerp (20–60 km)
Are you looking for a good e-bike route around Antwerp, but all you find is either an urban loop with too many traffic lights or a GPX route that's more exhausting than relaxing? It doesn't have to be that way. I suggest four types of routes around Antwerp that almost always work: the water ribbon, the cycle highway, the belt of forts, or the Campine/heathland. And let's be honest: I have a preference for slightly longer and greener routes. Curious to find out more? Read on.
Written by: Jos Mans | February 9, 2026 | Reading time: 6minutes
About the author: Jos Mans
Jos is a writer and cyclist, most often both at the same time. With thousands of miles under his belt and just as many words on paper, he combines his two great passions: being on the move and telling stories.
Key findings
- Antwerp is actually a city of "ribbons" that is ideal for e-bikes: along the Scheldt and the Rupel, via the F-roads along the railway, and through green spaces around the forts, you can travel for miles in surprisingly beautiful surroundings.
- The main pitfall for e-bikes here is not the gradient, but the "free" speed: on bike paths, you ride faster without realizing it → higher assistance → the battery life drops faster than expected.
- The most beautiful outings are often between 45 and 60 km. Take a look at the forts or a loop in the Campines.
Where can I find my route information (and how to use it)?
- Bicycle node networks and planners – Perfect for building safe and logical connections. Easy to shorten or lengthen: this is your backbone.
- Bike paths (F-routes): Ideal if you're looking for rhythm: continuous, predictable, little stress at intersections. But, and this is where it sometimes gets tricky, this is precisely where you need to watch your speed on an e-bike.
- Themed routes – For example, around forts. These are often the easiest to follow, as the narrative and signage are generally consistent.
Four types of itineraries that almost always work
Around Antwerp, there are four distinct "flavors," all accessible with urban e-bikes. Once you understand them, you can "read" any route without a map.
1. Scheldt & Rupel: the ribbon of water, an outing that flows naturally
The dykes and towpaths naturally dictate the direction. It's flat, often windy, but with little navigational stress. Ideal if you want to quickly get a feel for the "outdoors" without spending an hour figuring out the exact route.
My caveat: after 30–35 km, a ribbon of water can become monotonous without any bends. The water is beautiful, but variety keeps you alert.
2. Cycle highways: fast, hassle-free riding for miles on end
F-roads are designed for smooth travel: wide, often separated from traffic, logical. Perfect for e-bikes, and therefore a little tricky. You ride faster, use more assistance, and the battery drains faster. Be careful.
My caveat: these are excellent "cycle highways," but rarely routes that people still talk about in the evening. They are efficient. Efficiency is not automatically synonymous with beauty.
3. Belt of forts (Brialmont): the city is close by, but surrounded by greenery
Around Antwerp lies a historic defensive belt that today serves mainly as a green belt: forts, parks, and plenty of peace and quiet without really straying far from the city.
My opinion: this is Antwerp at its best. You don't ride from point of interest to point of interest, but from moment of calm to moment of calm. And suddenly, 44 km no longer feels like a "long ride," but like a lovely afternoon outdoors.
4. Les Campines / the moorland: heading for nature
Towards Kapellen and Kalmthout, there are heathlands and forests. Less city, less noise. This is the area where 50 to 60 km becomes natural, without it feeling like an expedition.
My opinion: if you want to feel like you've given your body a good workout in the heart of nature, this is the best choice. In this context, Cube offers superb trekking bikes such as the Kathmandu.
Routes by distance: 20, 30, 40, and 50–60 km
20–25 km: between the city and Rupel (dikes + river atmosphere)
- Departure: south of the city (Hoboken/Hemiksem) or quays of the Scheldt
- Direction: south, Escaut/Rupel atmosphere
- Surface: mainly asphalt; towpaths or dykes sometimes rougher
- Crowds: generally acceptable; busier on weekends
- Why it's e-bike-proof: you quickly leave the urban area behind, with no complicated intersections.
My impression: the "I want to ride, but without making it a project" itinerary. Perfect for practicing riding with a lower level of assistance than you would instinctively choose.
40–45 km: the Brialmont fort belt (green ring around the city)
- Departure: wherever you want; we'll get there quickly
- Direction: green belt around Antwerp
- Surface: mixed, but often suitable for cycling and relatively quiet
- Crowds: variable; some areas around the forts are busier than others
- Why it's e-bike-proof: variety of terrain and ideal distance for an e-bike
My impression: the sweet spot. Enough miles to really feel like you're "somewhere else." Enough variety to keep you from driving on autopilot.
50–60 km: F14 towards Kapellen/Kalmthout (nature)
- Departure: Antwerp North (towards Ekeren)
- Direction: north, Ekeren – Kapellen – Kalmthout – Essen axis
- Coating: fluid, designed for rolling
- Traffic: commuter traffic at times
- Why it's e-bike-proof: long straights, little stress at intersections
My thoughts: my favorite if you ride it smart. Use the F14 for flow, but add green loops so that the ride isn't just a bunch of miles, but a really nice trip.
My advice
If you want to get out of Antwerp and make it feel like a real getaway, I almost always choose greener and slightly longer routes. Not to be "sporty," but because that's where you find the true rhythm of e-biking: constant, smooth, without the Russian roulette of traffic lights.
The shortest route I almost always recommend is the water ribbon (12–15 miles): immediate feeling of the outdoors, few constraints.But if you want a truly memorable outing, the magic lies between 25 and 37 miles: forts or Campines. That's where you'll see beautiful things.
Keep in mind: the Antwerp region makes you want to ride fast. However, the most beautiful rides are almost always found at a level of assistance below what your ego demands. Also check which battery best suits your use.
→ Discover also the itineraries around Amsterdam.
FAQ
Which route is the most e-bike-friendly if I don't want to think too much about it?
The F11 and F14. They are designed for smooth transitions with little stress at intersections. The catch: you ride fast without realizing it. Deliberately lower the assistance and plan a short "flow break" if you feel that your pace is draining the battery.
Where can I get the most "outdoor" feeling within 25 km?
The Scheldt / Rupel. The waterways immediately provide direction and calm. Take the wind into account: here, it matters more than the terrain. You may want to go against the wind on the way there and enjoy it on the way back.
Which 40–45 km route is the least boring?
The Brialmont fort belt. The variety (forts, parks, urban edges) naturally keeps your attention. You don't have to push yourself as hard, and the outing feels more like an afternoon outdoors than a session of "miles to cover."
Should I expect a lot of unpaved roads?
If you stick to junctions and F-roads: rarely. Towpaths and some dykes can be rougher, but are generally still very passable with an urban or touring e-bike. With tires , hard tires , you feel it more; with tires wider tires and lower pressure, it's much more comfortable.
What is the best break strategy for 50–60 km?
Just one break around 60–70% of the way through. Two breaks often make the outing feel choppy: the rhythm is broken, you have to start again, and you lose your flow. A conscious break works better: short, simple, and then you're off again. That said, if it's beautiful, why not stop?