N8 road (Belgium)

The N8 near Alveringem

The N8 road in Belgium is a road connecting Brussels and Koksijde, passing Ninove, Oudenaarde, Kortrijk, Ypres and Veurne.[1]

National Route 8 shield}}
National Route 8
Dutch: Nationale Weg 8
French: Route nationale 8
Route information
Length152 km (94 mi)
Major junctions
FromBrussels
ToKoksijde
Location
CountryBelgium
Major citiesBrussels, Ninove, Oudenaarde, Kortrijk, Ieper
Highway system
  • Highways of Belgium

The N8 is the old road from Brussels to the coast. Most sections have been replaced by motorways, and only serve a regional purpose, except for the A19 [nl] which was supposed to go from Kortrijk to the coast, but which ends at Ypres. In 2012, the extension was permanently cancelled.[2]

The road is one of the 9 major national routes in Belgium. The start is in the Belgian capital Brussels at the inner ring road. The road goes west, passing the Brussels Ring R0 in Dilbeek, where it enters the province of Flemish Brabant. Continuing further west, the road enters East Flanders near the midsized city Ninove. After passing the larger city of Oudenaarde and entering West Flanders, the N8 crosses the E17 highway at the major city Kortrijk. The road turns northwest to traverse the Westhoek region, passing the city of Ypres end ending at the coast in Koksijde. The N8 has a length of 152km (95mi).

The N8 crosses 28 municipalities. 3 in the Brussels Capital Region, 3 in Flemish Brabant, 9 in East Flanders and 13 in West Flanders. A full list of municipalities[3] can be found below. Major municipalities are in bold.

Regions Province Municipality Population Length of N8 (km)
 Brussels Capital Region / City of Brussels 188737 0.1
Molenbeek-Saint-Jean 97697 2.0
Anderlecht 122547 1.7
 Flanders  Flemish Brabant Dilbeek 44095 7.9
Lennik 9312 4.3
Roosdaal 11735 4.0
 East Flanders Ninove 39626 11.5
Herzele 18489 1.1
Geraardsbergen 34328 3.3
Lierde 6689 4.7
Brakel 14850 7.9
Horebeke 2023 2.3
Oudenaarde 31866 11.3
Maarkedal 6386 0.1
Kluisbergen 6791 3.5
 West Flanders Avelgem 10291 7.5
Zwevegem 25140 10.5
Kortrijk 77741 7.5
Wevelgem 31565 5.9
Menen 33982 3.7
Wervik 19020 6.1
Zonnebeke 12556 5.0
Ypres 35039 14.9
Vleteren 3217 7.7
Lo-Reninge 3217 3.8
Alveringem 5025 7.4
Veurne 12295 8.6
Koksijde 21851 3.3
  1. ^ "Wegnummers in België". Wegnummers.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  2. ^ "Autoweg Ieper-kust definitief geschrapt". Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie (in Dutch). Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  3. ^ "Belgium: Regions, Provinces, Arrondissements, Cities, Municipalities, Sub-Municipalities, Agglomerations, Sectors - Population Statistics in Maps and Charts". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 2023-03-15.