Are you looking for an eco-friendly adventure that combines lengthy beach walks and beautiful nature views, cultural activities, and the luxury of not needing to carry heavy gear? Our 3-day hiking trip along the Belgian Coast offers all this. Whether you’re planning a weekend with friends or a family trip with kids, this route is versatile, accessible, and packed with options for everyone.

Why This Coastal Hiking Route is Perfect

Easy Access to Transport and Amenities

One of the best things about this route is the coastal tram that runs alongside it. You can start your hike at any point and hop on the tram if you need a break or want to reach a destination quicker.

Additionally, there are numerous restaurants and hotels along the route, so you don’t need to carry heavy backpacks. This makes it perfect for a lightweight and stress-free hiking experience.

Cultural Activities and Refreshing Sea Dips

Along the way, you’ll find plenty of cultural activities to do, especially around Ostend (check out our Ostend post for more details). And what’s better than cooling off in the sea after a long day of hiking? Whether it’s in the summertime or braving the chilly winter waters, there are endless opportunities to enjoy a refreshing swim.

Family-Friendly and Flexible Routes

This hiking trip is ideal for a weekend escape with friends or a family outing with young kids. The route is so flexible that you can shorten it by taking the tram when needed. While most of the official GR5A route is stroller-friendly, some shortcuts, like the sandy stretch between Nieuwpoort-Bad and Lombardsijde-Bad, are better suited for those without strollers.

Our 3-Day Hiking Schedule

Day 1: Brussels to Nieuwpoort

• Arrival: We took the train from Brussels to De Panne, located on the west side of the Belgian coast.
• Evening: After arriving in De Panne, we took a tram to Nieuwpoort where we had dinner and stayed the night.

Day 2: Nieuwpoort to Ostend

• Morning: We started our day by taking a small electric ferry from Nieuwpoort-Bad across the harbor channel. Best to check the evening in advance if it is working. The initial part of our hike was through the nature reserve, dunes and on the beach, which is both scenic and abit more challenging than on the dike.

• Lunch: We reached Middelkerke by lunchtime and enjoyed a delicious meal at Silt restaurant, located in the new casino building with nice sea views.
• Afternoon: Continuing on, we arrived in Raversijde where the route goes inland through dunes and nature reserves. As we approached Ostend, we passed historic landmarks like the Thermae Palace (Brasserie Albert is a great spot to stop).

• Evening: We stayed the night in Ostend. Check out our Ostend blogpost for more recommended restaurants and activities.

Day 3: Ostend to Bredene and Back

• Morning: We took a small ferry from Ostend to the East-side of the harbor heading to Bredene, skipping the longer GR5A route around the harbor.

• Afternoon: Hiking along Fort Napoleon and through the Bredene dunes, we enjoyed drinks and sun at Twins Club. On our way back we ran into a baby seal chilling in the sun on the beach. You can most often find seals in Ostend on the small beach next to the West-side of the harbor. We had lunch with shrimp croquettes and fish soup at De Cierk, a Fish & Food market on the east side of the harbor.
• Return: We then headed back to Brussels. For those wanting a more extended hike, you can continue to Knokke and take the train back from there.