This is a wonderful 6 km run along a canal path to the historic town of Damme, a small town whose history dates back to the 12th century. Important sites include the significant Damme Church, a Gothic Town Hall, St. John’s Hospital, Haringmarkt (square), and a path-lined moat encircling the town.
Photo: Mark Miller
The run to Damme follows the Damse Vaart-Zuid canal path, which is a multi-use path following the canal. It’s lovely, open countryside, with views of the canal and nearby fields the whole way. Our route starts near Bruges center, opposite the Gallery 44 Museum, following the Potterierei canal path out of town. It’s a straight shot to Damme, There’s also a bike path on the north side of the canal, called Noorweegse Kaai. Arriving in Damme, there are two options: following the canal path straight into town (6 km), or taking the path along the star-shaped moat, the poplar-lined path encircling the town, which adds 1.4 km (and is on our map). For the return, retrace your route, use the opposite side path, or take the bus back!
Add-On: The countryside around here is lovely. Many quiet side roads passing farm fields.
Pro Tip: Nice spots for eating or a beverage along the canal.
This is a wonderful 6 km run along a canal path to the historic town of Damme, a small town whose history dates back to the 12th century. Important sites include the significant Damme Church, a Gothic Town Hall, St. John’s Hospital, Haringmarkt (square), and a path-lined moat encircling the town.
Photo: Mark Miller
The run to Damme follows the Damse Vaart-Zuid canal path, which is a multi-use path following the canal. It’s lovely, open countryside, with views of the canal and nearby fields the whole way. Our route starts near Bruges center, opposite the Gallery 44 Museum, following the Potterierei canal path out of town. It’s a straight shot to Damme, There’s also a bike path on the north side of the canal, called Noorweegse Kaai. Arriving in Damme, there are two options: following the canal path straight into town (6 km), or taking the path along the star-shaped moat, the poplar-lined path encircling the town, which adds 1.4 km (and is on our map). For the return, retrace your route, use the opposite side path, or take the bus back!
Add-On: The countryside around here is lovely. Many quiet side roads passing farm fields.
Pro Tip: Nice spots for eating or a beverage along the canal.
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Essentials
6 km (3.7 miles) one-way, or 7.4 km if moat tour included. Can do out and back or take bus back
Flat
Near central Bruges, Potterierei opposite 944 Museum
The 10.5 km Outer Canal Loop is the signature running route in Bruges, as it heads along a dedicated waterside path around the historic center, passing through four historic gates and numerous important sites.
A short loop of Bruges's Inner Canal packs in a lot of key sites. Most of the route is along the water, which is lined with older homes and buildings. Can be combined with other sections of historic Bruges or sections of the outer canal loop, ~1 km away.
This park-like area, 7 km south of Bruges, offers some wonderful running opportunities. There are numerous paths winding through fields, woods, and meadows...and a castle! There are several marked trails that can be done as running loops.
Forest park 10 km southwest of Bruges offering numerous paths that are pleasant for running. Mainly wooded, and fairly gentle trail running. Can be combined with Tillegembos for a longer run.
A 180-hectare area centered around a historic castle, offering a good variety of running opportunities. Located in the suburb of Sint-Kruis, 6 km east of Bruges. Two well-marked running loops combine woods, fields, meadows, gardens, and a castle.
There's wonderful running in the coastal area 12 km north of Bruges, in the towns of Zeeburg, Blankenberge, De Haan, and Ostend. A long, continuous beach is great for running. There are several long boardwalk paths, and some nice parks.
This 159-acre nature park, located 20 km northeast of Bruges offers numerous paths along coastal plain, salt marshes, dunes, and along the water. Get away from the 'tourist' area of the park to the outer paths for some lovely running.
A forest area located 12 km south of Bruges. Excellent variety across some 150 km of trails, from walled landscaped gardens to stately avenues, quiet roads past country residences, and many wooded paths.
The Belgian countryside is historic, pastoral, and great for running. Some of our recommendations among the extensive series of paths & roads passing by castles, through woodlands, along canals and the coast, and by farms and fields.
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Essentials
6 km (3.7 miles) one-way, or 7.4 km if moat tour included. Can do out and back or take bus back
Flat
Near central Bruges, Potterierei opposite 944 Museum
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Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!