The best road cycling routes around Leers

Nice cyclepath. Not super smooth but interesting

Due to a breach in the wall near Ellestraat (approximately halfway along the canal), the canal completely emptied in 1959. The damage was later linked to the digging work of muskrats. (Wikipedia)

Super nice when there are no others to be seen. And doubly pleasant when you have the wind at your back.

Between 1857 and 1860, the old Bossuit-Kortrijk canal was dug using spades and wheelbarrows, as well as horse and cart. After the construction of the new canal in the early 1970s, this old section of the canal remained in place. As a result, an ideal spawning ground was created here. Fish find few suitable opportunities to spawn and lay their eggs. They do this on aquatic and riparian plants, which are present in limited numbers in the canal. Species such as rudd and pike require plants to complete their reproduction. The creation of fish spawning grounds gives the fish population a "natural" boost. However, it is not only fish that benefit from this nature development zone. Dragonflies, amphibians, waterfowl, and breeding birds also find an ideal habitat there. Source: information board on site

The Kortrijk-Bossuit Canal was built between 1858 and 1860 to connect the Leie and Scheldt rivers, primarily to transport coal from the Borinage to Flanders.

On March 1, 2020, the Sisters of Saint Joseph transferred their convent to MFC De Kindervriend, a facility for children and young people with intellectual disabilities. Thanks to the initiative of several parents, the chapel has since been converted into an indoor playground.

The old tram line in Rollegem was redeveloped into a slow road. It took some time to complete the final section, at the former tram station on Tombroekstraat (Beekweg). From the 18th century until May 25, 1963, the tram station served as a stop on the Kortrijk-Mouscron line. This line not only transported passengers, but often also a wagon loaded with goods or coal. The stop and loading yard were located on Tombroekstraat. From 1902 to 1938, the line was electrified. In 1963, a bus line replaced the tram. In 1990, the Flemish government constructed a cycle path on the embankment of the decommissioned line, connecting Bellegem with Rollegem, including a tunnel under the A17 motorway. However, approximately 300 meters of tram track, between two meadows, remained untouched. Starting in 2004, the city council purchased plots of land along the tram track. The missing section was included in the Cycle Route Plan. This section also includes the former bridge over the Fabrieksbeek stream. The new Chiro building is located on the site of the former tram station. Source: Stadskrant Kortrijk

The Mauroy Bridge is one of three movable bridges spanning the canal at Saint-Léger. Each bridge had a bridge keeper's house, where the bridge keeper lived, responsible for opening and closing the bridge each time a ship passed. These houses were often also cafés... or still are, as here. Just beyond the bridge, the old Mauroy farm bordered an imposing castle, the Mauroy Castle, designed by Sanderus in 1644. In 1504, the castle and the Mauroy estate belonged to Arnould de Maulde, a lord of the manor. Source: brochure "Promenade Saint-Léger"