The Koppenberg is the most notorious climb in Flemish cycling: a narrow, cobbled lane rising 77 metres at gradients that touch 22 percent, steep enough that even professional riders sometimes have to walk. On race day in April, tens of thousands of spectators line the hill, making passage almost impossible. On any other day, you can ride or walk it yourself and understand exactly why it matters.
The approach from Melden village gives the best sense of the surrounding landscape — rolling fields, narrow farm roads, and the sudden drama of the climb itself. The cobbles are rough and uneven, and the hill crooks sharply near the top, denying any sight of the finish until the last moment. It is a short climb, barely 600 metres, but those who attempt it on a bicycle will not forget it.