How hard is Muur van Geraardsbergen?

Classified as Category 4, Muur van Geraardsbergen is a steep and demanding effort.

How long is Muur van Geraardsbergen?

Muur van Geraardsbergen is 1.1km long with 91m of elevation gain. At a typical climbing pace, expect the ascent to take roughly 7 minutes.

Where does Muur van Geraardsbergen start?

Muur van Geraardsbergen begins in Flanders, Belgium. The starting coordinates are 50.7716°N, 3.8803°E.

What is the steepest section of Muur van Geraardsbergen?

The steepest 100-metre section of Muur van Geraardsbergen hits 13%. A serious ramp that will have you out of the saddle. The average gradient across the full climb is 8%.

Cat 4

Muur van Geraardsbergen

Flanders, belgium

At just 1.1km, Muur van Geraardsbergen is short but deceptively intense — 91m of elevation packed into a brief, breathless effort. Averaging 8%, the road kicks to 13% at its steepest — a serious ramp that demands respect. It's over before the legs know what happened — a short, explosive effort where momentum is everything. Located in Flanders, Belgium.

More vertical gain than 99% of climbs in Flanders.
Steeper than 97% of climbs in Flanders.
The 5th climb in Flanders by difficulty.

Muur van Geraardsbergen

Flanders, belgium

1.1km 91m 8%

Distance

1.1km

Avg Gradient

Max Gradient

13%

Elevation Gain

91m

Summit

110m

Wall Rating

3.6

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What things cost

Typical prices in Belgium

€3.10

Coffee

€4.50

Beer

€16.00

Meal

€1.60

Water

The Story

The Wall of Flanders

The Muur van Geraardsbergen is Belgium's most iconic climb. At just 800 metres long, it is not a mountain pass but a vicious cobblestoned wall that has decided countless classics races. The Kapelmuur — the Chapel Wall — is Flemish cycling distilled to its essence.

The Climb

From the base in Geraardsbergen's town square, the road kicks immediately to 9% on rough cobblestones. The gradient ramps to nearly 20% on the infamous cobbled section, where traction and power meet their limits.

At the top sits the Chapel of Our Lady of Oudenberg, and behind it one of Belgium's finest views across the Flemish Ardennes. The entire effort lasts barely 3 minutes for a professional, but those 3 minutes can win or lose a Monument.

Racing Heritage

The Muur was the defining feature of the Tour of Flanders from 1973 to 2011, when the finish moved to Oudenaarde. It remains part of the modern Ronde route and features in numerous other Flemish races. The cobblestones have been polished smooth by millions of tyres.

Pro Tip

Momentum is everything. Hit the base at speed and stay seated as long as possible on the cobbles — standing risks wheelspin. The right-hand gutter has slightly smoother stones.