Edelareberg

Edelareberg is a hill in the municipality of Oudenaarde, in the Belgian province of East Flanders, rising to 80 metres above sea level. It belongs to the broad family of hills known as the Flemish Ardennes (Vlaamse Ardennen), a cluster of modest but distinctive elevations that has long drawn cyclists and hikers to this part of the country.

Where does the name come from?

The summit of Edelareberg lies within the village of Edelare, and it is from this village that the hill takes its name. Locally, the hill is also referred to as Kerselareberg — a name derived from Kerselare, a small hamlet that today forms part of Edelare. This kind of double naming is common in the region, often reflecting a history of small settlements being absorbed into larger administrative villages over time.

What does the climb itself look like?

The road leading to the top of Edelareberg forms part of the N8, the route connecting Oudenaarde with the town of Brakel. The road surface was asphalted in the late 1960s, transforming what would once have been an unpaved track into a broad, steadily rising stretch of tarmac. That width and gradual incline are what set Edelareberg apart from many of the narrower, steeper climbs found elsewhere in the region. The steepest section, located near the top of the climb, reaches a gradient of 7 percent — a moderate figure by the standards of the Flemish Ardennes, where some ascents briefly exceed far higher percentages, but still enough to be felt in the legs.

Why is this hill known among cyclists?

The hills of the Flemish Ardennes, Edelareberg included, have functioned for decades as a natural training and racing ground for road cycling in this part of Belgium. The dense network of such climbs scattered between Oudenaarde and the surrounding villages creates a landscape where even a modest 80-metre elevation gains real significance, simply through frequency and surface character. Thanks to its wide, well-maintained road, Edelareberg is often regarded as a gentler introduction to this type of terrain compared with the narrower, steeper stretches found elsewhere nearby.

What should visitors know before heading there?

The summit sits at approximately 50.838°N, 3.618°E, placing it close to the centre of Oudenaarde, a town that serves as a natural base for exploring the wider region. Because Edelareberg is a public road forming part of the larger N8 route, it can be visited independently — on foot or by bike — without needing to join an organised tour.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Edelareberg? The summit reaches 80 metres above sea level.

Where does the name Edelareberg come from? From the village of Edelare, within which the hill's summit is located. It is also known locally as Kerselareberg, after the nearby hamlet of Kerselare.

What is the steepest gradient on the climb? The steepest sections reach a gradient of 7 percent.

Is the road to the top paved? Yes. It was asphalted in the late 1960s and now forms part of the N8 road connecting Oudenaarde and Brakel.

Where exactly is Edelareberg located? In the municipality of Oudenaarde, East Flanders, Belgium, near the village of Edelare, within the range of hills known as the Flemish Ardennes.