The Kapelmuur, in Geraardsbergen, owes its legend to decades of decisive duels in the Tour of Flanders before being dropped from the route in 2012: barely 1.1 km of uneven cobblestones, but a gradient that ramps up to nearly 20% right in front of the Chapel of Our Lady of Oudenberg, at the very top.
A cobbled climb between the Dender and a chapel
From the banks of the Dender, at 18 m of elevation at the foot of the climb, the road rises over 1.075 km to the Oudenberg’s 110 m, gaining 92 m at an average of 9.3%. The first 325 m have been asphalted since 1970; then comes the true Kapelmuur, fully cobbled, where the gradient spikes to 19.8% in the final hundred metres, right before the chapel that gives the summit section its name.
Getting the ride right
Wider tyres than on a standard road bike, around 28 to 30 mm and slightly underinflated, absorb the unevenness of the Flemish cobbles far better. On the steepest section, aim for the smoother crown of the road rather than the edges, and keep a low enough gear in reserve so you don’t stall on the sharpest ramps.
When to go
March to October, as the road stays rideable year-round but the cobbles turn slippery in wet weather. The Kapelmuur has served as the decisive climb of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad since 2018, usually held in late February, and draws plenty of cyclotourists keen to ride it around the spring Flemish classics.
Good to know
Dropped from the Tour of Flanders route in 2012 when the finish moved to Oudenaarde, the Kapelmuur made a one-off return in 2017 before settling back into life as a cycling pilgrimage site independent of the professional race. At the summit, the Chapel of Our Lady of Oudenberg keeps alive a Marian pilgrimage tradition dating back to the 17th century. Geraardsbergen offers enough accommodation for an overnight stop, with convenient access to Ninove and Oudenaarde, under 30 minutes away by road, for a longer stay in the Flemish Ardennes.