Top 5 Running routes

1. Blue route Bourgoyen

Starting Point 📍
The route starts at Driepikkelstraat, where you’ll find plenty of parking 🅿️ and an information center ℹ️ nearby for all the details you need.

Scenic Meadows & Marshes 
As you run through the open meadows 🌾and wetlands of Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen, you'll spot herons, ducks 🦆, and maybe even buzzards soaring above, nature at its best.

Bridges & Water Crossings 
The route takes you across charming wooden bridges that cross marshes and ponds, adding a splash 💦 of adventure to your run.

Bird Hides 
There are plenty of bird 🐦 hides along the way, perfect for a quick break or some birdwatching 👀. Though most runners keep their pace, it’s a great spot to pause if you want to take it easy for a moment.

Flat, Peaceful Paths 
The well-maintained, flat trails make this route ideal for any fitness level. Whether you're after a relaxing jog or a solid workout 💪🏼, you’ll find it here.

Finish Line 
After 5.5 km, you’ll head back to Driepikkelstraat 📍, with one final scenic stretch and, if you’re lucky, a beautiful view of Ghent on the horizon!

Why Choose This Route?

• Perfect Length 🕒 — Just right for a light to moderate run.
• Easy Terrain 🛤️ — Flat paths for smooth pacing.
• Nature Escape 🌳 — Calm reserve, ideal for unwinding while you run.
• No Traffic 🚫 — Safe, uninterrupted trail—just you and nature.
• Inspiring Scenery ✨ — Birds, wetlands, and peaceful views make every run a joy

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• Difficulty: 🥵
• Nature:🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱
• Lights: 💡

2. Kerkstraat-Forelstraat-Muinklaan route

Starting point📍 

This route starts in the Frans Spaestraat in Ghent, the busiest point of the entire trip.🚦This is in fact where the street borders the ring road around Ghent. For those who live closer, it is of course possible to start at another point on the route.  

Rivers🏞️ 

No fewer than three times along the way, you will encounter a river where you can escape the hustle and bustle for a while. The calm water and the boats gliding by create a relaxing atmosphere, ideal for unwinding. 🚤 

Parks🛝 

The route also passes several parks, including André De Smulpark, Cotton Island, Keizerpark, Arbedpark, Puttenpark, and Koning Albertpark. These green oases invite you to take a break, take a deep breath, and take in the nature around you. 🧘‍♀️It is a perfect opportunity to enjoy the greenery, pause for a moment, or sip water before continuing.  

Distance🏃🏼‍♀️ 

The distance is 6.93 km, which is convenient for a short workout. People who have to work late and don't have much time can still do this route.  

Walkways 

This route is between different parks, when walking from park to park it is on paved ground. In the parks themselves, one can walk on softer sections. This can be a pain point, but most runners do like paved ground. 🕳️  

• Difficulty: 🥵 

• Nature:🌱🌱🌱🌱 

• Lights: 💡💡💡 
  

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3. Route Citadelpark

Starting point

Students at the University of Ghent are likely to be familiar with this place, as right in between the train station and campuses. The Citadel Park in Ghent offers a beautiful forest with ponds and flower gardens🌻, so running in this area is perfect for those who love nature. With its many different monuments🏛, it also has a rich history. The park is in the centre of the city, and it is easily accessible as the train station is close by.

Description of route 

Starting at the northeastern entrance, the route shown is 4km long and will take you around and through the park🪷, showing you most of what it has to offer. This route is just an example. You can easily make your own routes, thanks to the many different paths the park has. The paths of the park are well maintained, which makes them nice to run on.

Reasons to take this route:

• The kiosk: Recently renovated, the kiosk looks just as new as it was in 1885. The monument was built for people to play music and is occasionally still used for that purpose. The surrounding area is usually quite calm and has some benches for you to take a break if you need it.
• The ponds⛲️: There are ponds in the south and the east of the park. The eastern one is mostly known for its beautiful waterfall, which you can walk behind. The southern one has a statue named after the two rivers that flow through Ghent: Schelde & Leie. Both ponds often have ducks 🦆 swimming in them, which will make you feel more like you’re running in nature. It makes for a very relaxing environment to run around.
• The cave: Once used as shelter during the war, these caves now serve as a tunnel for people traversing the park. With its history, running through it can make you feel like you’re entering a completely different world.

• difficulty: 🥵🥵🥵
• nature:🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱
• lights: 💡💡

4. Route Watersportbaan

Starting Point 📍
The route begins at the Watersportbaan, close to Zuiderlaan in Ghent. This point is easily accessible by car or public transport, with ample parking available. These factors make it an ideal starting point for your run or walk🏃🏼‍♂️. There is also plenty of parking 🅿️.

Surroundings and Water Features 
The route follows the Watersportbaan, offering continuous views of water sports activities🏄🏼‍♀️ and the surrounding nature along the waterfront. The scenery creates a calming atmosphere for your walk or run. The route also passes through the Blaarmeersen, where you can enjoy the ponds, trees 🌳, and tranquil environment.

Balance Between City and Nature 
On one hand, you can enjoy the peacefulness of nature, while on the other, you get glimpses of the city of Ghent. This combination makes the route interesting and varied, offering both urban views and serene natural landscapes.

Flat Terrain and Well-Maintained Paths 
The route is flat, with no significant elevation changes, making it suitable for runners of all levels. The paths are well-maintained and paved, ensuring a comfortable experience whether you are jogging, running, or walking. This makes the route accessible to everyone.

Quiet and Safe Environment 
The Watersportbaan is a popular area, but due to the width of the paths, there is always enough space to walk or run peacefully without being disturbed🧘🏼‍♀️ by others. You will rarely encounter cyclists or cars, making this a very safe route.

Sporty Atmosphere
The sporting activities around the Watersportbaan, such as rowing 🚣🏼and jogging, create an energetic vibe. You will likely come across other runners and athletes, which can provide extra motivation during your workout.

Distance
The 6.31 km route offers a perfect distance for an average running session. It’s long enough for a challenging workout🥵, but not so long as to be overly demanding.

This 6.31 km route around the Watersportbaan in Ghent provides the perfect blend of nature and city, making it ideal for both relaxing runs and intensive training sessions.

• difficulty: 🥵
• nature:🌱🌱🌱🌱
• lights: 💡

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5. Route along the Leie

Description of the route 

Starting point📍

The route starts at HoGent campus Schoonmeersen 🏫, a place that each student knows (or should know 😉). This point is right by the R4, so easy to reach by car. You can park your car in the parking lot at Schoonmeersen. the route is also easy to reach by bike or tram, as there are 2 tram stops 🚃 near the starting point.

Surroundings

Most of the route is just along the Leie 🦦, with beautiful views of the water and the surrounding nature. Along the route, there is also a nature park named Overmeers and a local port with a few boats 🛥. These locations are an invitation for a small stop to enjoy the view and surroundings.

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Terrain

The entire route is flat, without any elevation changes. This makes it a less challenging course and makes it accessible to all levels. the route is also very well lit🔥 in the dark, so perfect for you who like to run in the evening.

Distance

With a distance of 5,7 km, this route is the perfect length and the ideal workout 💪🏼 for average runners. 

Endpoint

The route makes a loop right back to the starting point📍, so no worries about not finding your car or bike. The last few metres of the route go right through the station, perfect for those who come by tram or bus 🚌. 

• difficulty: 🥵🥵
• nature:🌱🌱🌱
• lights: 💡💡💡