Muur van Geraardsbergen

The spiritual summit of Flemish cycling culture. The Muur — 'wall' in Dutch — climbs through the medieval cobbled streets of Geraardsbergen to the Chapel of Our Lady of Oudenberg at 110m, its spire visible for kilometres across the flat Flemish plain. Unlike the more rural bergs, the Muur ascends through a living town, past cheering residents who understand and celebrate the climb's significance. The 1.1km averages 9.3% with a notorious section of 19% cobbles in the middle third. The chapel at the top has become one of cycling's most photographed locations. Removed from the Tour of Flanders route in 2012 to move the finish to Oudenaarde — a decision that still provokes strong opinion among Flemish cycling fans — but reinstated to the race in recent editions.