Via Brugensis

At a Glance

• Start / Finish: Sluis (Netherlands) → Arras (France)
• Length: 199 km
• Stages: 9 daily stages (18–25 km)
• Duration: 7–9 days of hiking
• Countries: The Netherlands, Belgium (Flanders), France (Hauts-de-France)
• Terrain: Flat terrain—lots of asphalt and bike paths, with some cobblestone sections
• Waymarking: In Bruges, there are about 40 bronze shells embedded in the pavement; outside the city, they are scattered — a guidebook and a GPX track are required
• Guidebook: “Via Brugensis – Via Yprensis” (2023), Route Update April 2026
• Connection: from Arras to the Via Turonensis (via Épernon, bypassing Paris) — or via Reims to the Via Campaniensis to Vézelay

Overview

The Via Brugensis is the Flemish Way of St. James with the most honest name: it's named after a city, not a saint, and follows a trade route, not a legend. 199 kilometers in nine stages, without a single meter of elevation gain worth mentioning—from the market in Sluis on the old Zwin, via Bruges, Torhout, Roeselare, and Menen all the way to Arras in northern France, on the hills of Artois. In the Middle Ages, this axis was called the Artesian Road, popularly known as the “Arrasche Baene”—and its documented course is, town by town, today’s route.

What carries this route is a booklet: between 1360 and 1380, a man from Bruges wrote the “Brugse Wegwijzer,” which lists the route to Compostela in 388 stations over about 2,200 kilometers—with distances. Care for travelers was in place long before: in Menen, a hospice for travelers is attested as early as 1087. And in Bruges, to this day the route lies as bronze in the pavement—about 40 shells from Dampoort to the train station, passing a St. James’s Church that Philip the Good and Charles the Bold helped fund. To be honest: Outside of Bruges, the markings are sparse, and there’s no network of hostels—a guidebook, GPX track, and advance reservations are essential here.

Recorded in 1360, paved over in 1754, restored in 2023

The Via Brugensis is not a fictional route—it is a reconstruction of a road that was officially surveyed. Between 1360 and 1380, the Itinerarium Brugense was compiled in Bruges, the “Brugse Wegwijzer”: a list of 388 stops over about 2,200 kilometers to Compostela, with distances, including Bruges, Torhout, and Menen—someone walked the entire route in the 14th century and wrote it all down. The infrastructure had long been in place: the St. Joris Hospital in Menen, a “Passanten Lieden Gasthuis,” has been documented since 1087, the St. Jansgasthuis in Roeselare since 1268 at the latest, and at the Gasthuis ten Bunderen near Beitem, from about 1269 to 1578, sisters gave travelers passing through food and lodging—free of charge. So as early as 1087, there was already soup here, but no signpost yet.

Bruges itself had a second route to Santiago: the sea. In 1134, a storm surge tore open the Zwin and turned the inland city into a world-class port; from 1280 to 1480, the German Hanseatic League maintained its most important overseas office here, and cog ships sailed from Bruges, Damme, Hoeke, and Sluis to La Coruña—a journey of “about 7 days” with a favorable wind. The voyage of the knight Jan Taccoen van Zillebeke is documented: departure from Komen on March 18, 1512; La Coruña on April 7; back on April 29—44 days for a journey that would have taken months on foot. He wrote it down himself, first in Flemish, then in French: “et moy qui suis Flaman, si en faisant mon voyage, le mit tout en Flamen.” By around 1500, the Zwin had silted up, the trading post moved to Antwerp—the sea route was cut off. All that remained was the footpath.

And it was buried before it was brought back: in 1751–1754, Empress Maria Theresa had the Meensesteenweg built; the new highway covered the old pilgrim’s path—but street names such as “Oude Heirweg” and Soldatenstraat have remained. In 2010, the Holy Year, the Vlaams Compostelagenootschap re-surveyed the Belgian Vias; at that time, the Via Brugensis still ended in Pecq after 175 kilometers. It was not until 2023 that the organization returned it to its historic axis: Sluis → Arras, 199 kilometers; the old final stretch is now merely a cross-connection. In Bruges, the route is now marked by bronze plaques set into the pavement—twenty kilometers further on, it lives on as a street name in the countryside. Both are the same route. One has been polished; the other has simply never been forgotten.

Other Names

Via Brugensis is Latin and simply means “Bruges Way”—the organization consistently gives its routes Latin names so that they have the same names in Flanders, Wallonia, and France; in Dutch, you occasionally hear de Brugse weg. The older, colloquial name is more precise: In the Middle Ages, the Bruges–Arras route was called the Artesian Road, popularly known as the “Arrasche Baene” — the Arras road. Don't confuse this route with the Brugse Wegwijzer: This is a manuscript from 1360–1380 that lists the route to Compostela in 388 stations. And one number needs some explanation: Until 2023, the Via Brugensis ended in Pecq and Doornik after about 175 kilometers. With the new edition of the guidebook, the organization returned it to the historic axis to Arras — 199 kilometers; the old Menen–Pecq section is now the cross-connection to the Via Scaldea. If you come across “175 km to Doornik” online: That’s the version from before 2023.

Who it's ideal for—and who it's not so ideal for

Ideal if you’re looking for a starting point that doesn’t feel like jumping in at the deep end: 199 kilometers, nine evenly paced stages, no significant climbs—and, at the end, Arras, a true connection point to the French network. You’ll walk along a route whose medieval path researchers can trace step by step, and on the first day you’ll pass through a city where pilgrimage was never just about piety, but also about the harbor, trade, and international travel. If you like Flanders—brick buildings, canals, church towers in the mist—this is the place for you.

To be honest, though, this route isn’t for you if you’re looking for panoramic views, mountain passes, or solitude. You’ll be traveling through densely populated areas, often on asphalt and bike paths, and between Menen and Lens, you’ll be skirting a metropolitan area with a population of one million—not passing through wilderness. The romantic charm of Spanish trails is missing here: there’s no network of albergues; you’ll need to book B&Bs, small hotels, and hosts from the organization’s list in advance—you plan for these gaps beforehand, not while you’re on the road. And anyone expecting a continuous trail of yellow arrows will be disappointed: outside of Bruges, the trail markings are sparse. Guidebooks and GPS tracks are essential gear here, not just extras.

Route & Landscape

The route doesn't start in Bruges, but 22 kilometers before it—at the market in Sluis in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, and there’s a reason for that, one that dates back to 1134: Back then, a storm surge tore through the Zwin and turned Bruges into a port; when the estuary silted up again, the ports moved farther out—Damme, Hoeke, Sluis. On the first day, you’ll retrace exactly this route: along the Damse Vaart, through Hoeke with its Sint-Jakobskerk and through Damme to Bruges. You're walking the history of trade upstream.

After that, the trail turns south and winds through Flemish farmland: via the Benedictine abbey of Zevenkerken to Torhout, via Lichtervelde and Gits—both of which have churches dedicated to St. James—to Roeselare, past Beitem and Ledegem to the Leie River at Menen. At Halluin, you cross into France and skirt Lille in a northern arc: Roncq, Bondues, Marcq-en-Barœul, then out into the Marque Plain toward Bouvines, the site of the famous battle of 1214. The last three stages wind through the old mining basin of Nord-Pas-de-Calais—slag heaps, mining towns, canals, and near Lens now also a branch of the Louvre — and up into the hills of the Artois, until the rebuilt Baroque city Arras stands before you with its two large squares. No mountain peaks, no ocean views: just a route from one commercial center to the next.

Stages, Terrain, and Difficulty

The organization divides the 199 kilometers into nine stages and estimates seven to nine days of hiking—those who walk briskly can combine stages; those who really want to see Bruges and Arras will need closer to ten days. The daily distances are pleasantly consistent, ranging from 18 to 25 kilometers, and elevation gain isn’t an issue: Bruges lies four meters above sea level, while the Artois hills reach just over a hundred. The real challenge is the terrain—lots of asphalt, bike paths, and cobblestones in some sections: Bring cushioned shoes, not hiking boots, and rely on the GPS track rather than the signs. All stage distances are rounded figures from the guidebook—the binding figure is the total length of 199 km.

1. Sluis → Bruges (approx. 22.5 km) — from the market square in Sluis along the Damse Vaart, through Hoeke with its Sint-Jakobskerk, and through Damme; in Bruges, about 40 bronze shells embedded in the pavement lead from the Dampoort straight through the old town.
2. Bruges → Torhout (approx. 25 km) — past Tillegembos and Beisbroek, by the Benedictine Abbey of Zevenkerken, through heathland and forest to Torhout.
3. Torhout → Roeselare (approx. 21 km) — via Lichtervelde and Gits, both of which have St. James’s Churches, to Roeselare, where a gasthuis stood even before 1268.
4. Roeselare → Menen (approx. 22 km) — past Beitem and Ledegem, where the medieval route still lives on in street names, all the way to the Leie River in Menen.
5. Menen → Marcq-en-Barœul (approx. 21 km) — Cross the border at Halluin, then pass through Roncq and Bondues on the northern loop around Lille.
6. Marcq-en-Barœul → Bouvines (approx. 22 km) — through the suburbs of Lille and out into the Marque Plain as far as Bouvines.
7. Bouvines → Libercourt (approx. 25 km) — the longest stage, passing through Seclin and across the vast open fields of South Flanders.
8. Libercourt → Lens (approx. 18 km) — the shortest stage, right into the heart of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais mining basin.
9. Lens → Arras (approx. 23 km) — the final leg through the hills of Artois to the rebuilt Baroque city of Arras.

If you want to avoid the canal dike, just start in Bruges — then it's 176 kilometers to Arras. And the old cross-connection Menen → Pecq (31.7 km), part of the main trail until 2023, now connects you to the Via Scaldea along the Scheldt Corridor.

Highlights Along the Way

• Sluis and the Damse Vaart — The starting point was an outer harbor of Bruges, created because the Zwin had silted up; the canal dike takes you there in four hours, to where the ships came from.
• The 40 Bronze Shells of Bruges — From Dampoort to the train station, the route is marked by bronze inlays in the pavement. Nowhere else along the route are the markings this beautiful.
• St. James' Church, Bruges — Elevated to the status of a parish church around 1240; expanded into a hall church between 1457 and 1512, with funding from Philip the Good, Charles the Bold, and the Arnolfini and Portinari banking families. Free admission.
• Basilica of the Holy Blood, Bruges — The Holy Blood Procession has been documented since 1304; on June 1, 1310, Pope Clement V granted indulgences to the pilgrims for participating in it.
• St. John's Hospital, Bruges — Founded around 1150; the earliest document dates from 1188; it took in the sick, the poor, and pilgrims. Today it is a museum housing the Shrine of St. Ursula, which Hans Memling painted in 1489.
• Sint-Andriesabdij Zevenkerken — A Benedictine abbey right on Stage 2, a classic lunch stop, followed shortly afterward by the Emmaus Grotto.
• Ten Bunderen near Beitem — From about 1269 to 1578, nuns provided free room and board to travelers passing through; the old path lives on in street names such as “Oude Heirweg.”
• Menen on the Leie — St. Joris Hospital, a “Passanten Lieden Gasthuis” has been documented since 1087. The Via Yprensis, coming from the coast, joins it here.
• Bouvines — end of stage 6 and the site of the Battle of 1214, in which Philip II Augustus defeated the coalition led by Emperor Otto IV.
• Arras — two Flemish Baroque square complexes and the belfry, which was destroyed during World War I and faithfully reconstructed; in Dutch, the city is called Atrecht.

How Pilgrims Find Their Way onto This Path

The most natural feeder route is the Via Yprensis: It starts in Nieuwpoort—500 meters offshore on the Westerstaketsel in the North Sea—and follows the World War I front line for 72 kilometers over three days, passing through Diksmuide, Ypres with the Menin Gate, and Wervik, until it joins the Via Brugensis between Wervik and Menen. For those interested in the historical connection: The knight Jan Taccoen lived in Komen along this route; in 1512, he set out from here on his pilgrimage by ship to Compostela.

From the east, the Via Scaldea links in — via the old Menen–Pecq cross-connection and a variant from Doornik to Bouvines. Those coming from farther away can use the Via Brabantica from Bergen op Zoom or the Via Monastica from Vessem; however, both routes head toward Saint-Quentin and Rocroi, bypassing Arras. Without a feeder route, the easiest option is to take the train to Bruges and the regional bus to Sluis — or to start right in Bruges.

Continue the pilgrimage?

Arras is not a terminal but a junction—the organization names two connections: One route heads west to Épernon, where you join a variant of the Via Turonensis and continue via Chartres; the great advantage of this route is that it bypasses Paris. The second option runs via Saint-Quentin and Reims onto the Via Campaniensis, which takes you to Vézelay — the starting point of the Via Lemovicensis.

Both lines ultimately lead to the same place: in southwestern France, the Turonensis, Lemovicensis, and Via Podiensis merge near Ostabat, and from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, the Camino Francés takes over to Santiago. The distance from the market in Sluis to the Apostle's tomb is about 2,200 kilometers — pretty much the same figure that the Brugse Wegwijzer recorded in the 14th century for the route from Bruges.

Preparation & Practical Information

The best time is between April and October — Flanders and northern France have a mild but wet climate: a rain jacket and sturdy shoes are essential gear, not just a precaution. In July and August, Bruges and Arras are crowded and expensive; May, June, and September are the smarter months to visit. The route is still doable year-round, though—the organization even runs a winter hike from Sluis to Bruges.

Plan your accommodations in advance: There is no network of hostels; you’ll need to book B&Bs, small hotels, and private hosts from the “Onderdak langs onze Via’s” list—be sure to book early in Bruges, as it’s always peak season there. Your basis is the guidebook “Via Brugensis – Via Yprensis” (2023 edition, 128 pages, 37 topographic maps, approximately 17 euros, as of August 2026) plus the GPX/KML tracks provided by the organization—the latest route update is from April 2026. The pilgrim passport (credencial) is issued by the Vlaams Compostelagenootschap itself; order it online in advance so it arrives in time for the start.

And expect Flanders, not Spain: You collect stamps in churches and from hosts, not at every bar. With the Camino Ninja App, you're on the safe side—it has the entire route on board, and you can put together your own itinerary and plan suitable accommodations right away.

What the journey will cost you

This route is more expensive than Spain, and that’s because of the accommodations: Without a hostel network, you’ll pay roughly 60 to 100 euros for a double room at B&Bs and small hotels—significantly more in Bruges, less in the surrounding area (as of August 2026). If you find private lodging through the host list provided by the organization, it’s cheaper. If you’re traveling alone, budget for 60 to 90 euros per day including meals; when sharing a room with a partner, the room rate is split, and you end up paying significantly less. You can save money on food—there are supermarkets in every stop along the route, and Flemish bakeries and fry shops are inexpensive and plentiful. Fixed costs: the guidebook (about 17 euros), the pilgrim’s passport, and travel expenses—and if you want to take full advantage of the organization’s update PDFs and accommodation list, you’ll pay the annual membership fee of 25 euros (30 for international members). In return, the best highlight is free: Admission to the Sint-Jakobskerk in Bruges is free.

Getting Here

Sluis has no train station — the most convenient way to get there is via Bruges: From Brussels in just over an hour; from Germany via Brussels or Antwerp. From Bruges, a regional bus will take you to Sluis, where you’ll start at the market. If you want to skip the first leg, just start in Bruges—you’ll only miss the canal dike.

Arras is on the Paris–Lille line: take the TGV to Paris-Nord in under an hour, or the TER to Lille—with its international connections—in about 45 minutes. Those continuing on don’t take a train at all—head toward Épernon on the Turonensis variant or via Saint-Quentin toward Reims.

• Getting to the starting point: Take the train to Bruges ([belgiantrain.be](https://www.belgiantrain.be)), then continue by regional bus to Sluis; alternatively, start directly in Bruges.
• Joining or leaving along the way: Bruges, Torhout, Roeselare, Menen, and Lens are located along train or bus routes—the trip can easily be broken up into weekend segments.
• Return trip: From Arras, take the TGV to Paris-Nord or the TER to Lille ([sncf-connect.com](https://www.sncf-connect.com)).
• From Germany: via Brussels or Lille ([bahn.de](https://www.bahn.de)).