The best walks and hikes around Winnezeele

The Witch's Cottage – a fairytale on the edge of the woods On the edge of the mysterious Helleketelbos (Hell Kettle Forest), in the middle of a green meadow, a small fairytale cottage suddenly appears. As if a witch has briefly leaned her broom against the wall here… This special building is known as the Witch's Cottage, but it is actually a beautifully restored historic half-timbered house. The cottage was once part of the 18th-century farmstead Het Groot Gasthuisgoed and is a fine example of the traditional building style from the Hoppeland region. The combination of wooden half-timbering, wattle and daub, finished with characteristic red roof tiles, gives the whole a wonderfully old-fashioned appearance. It once looked less fairytale-like. The cottage was in danger of being lost, but thanks to the efforts of the **Agency for Nature and Forest and enthusiastic volunteers**, it was restored and saved from ruin. Today it stands beautifully again, hidden between forest and meadow. A wonderful spot to pause for a moment, get your camera out, and wonder how many stories these old walls could tell. No witch to be seen, but a cottage with character. A small stop perhaps, but one with a great fairytale quality! And admit it… on the edge of a Helleketelbos, a little mystery just belongs, doesn't it?

Sint-Bavokerk – Watou's historic heart Anyone walking or cycling through Watou can hardly fail to notice the striking Sint-Bavokerk. This historic church has been the heart of the village for centuries and, with its graveyard wall and characteristic architecture, is an atmospheric eye-catcher on Watouplein. The church also has a special connection to the art that so typifies Watou. During the Kunstenfestival Watou, the historic interior is regularly given a contemporary interpretation, bringing together old and new in a surprisingly beautiful way. So, during your visit, be sure to take some time to look up, step inside the church, or enjoy the view from the square. History, art, and the typical atmosphere of Watou come together beautifully here.

Café De Helleketel is ‘Travelling through Time’. Since 1895, get off your bike, because this is a mandatory stop for every bon vivant! This colourful folk café with its characteristic blue-yellow shutters is hidden between the hop fields and the rolling hills of the Helleketel forest. Since 1895, the doors of De Helleketel have already been opening for passers-by, poachers, hikers and cyclists. Inside, the ceiling is full of witch dolls (a nod to the name "De Helleketel", which means witch’s cauldron) and you will also find folk games such as the traditional stove game. Outside on the terrace, you sit among the bicycles enjoying a beautiful view. Tip: order an iconic, homemade Picon from the house here or a hearty 'boerestute' (a richly filled sandwich). Feel free to ask for café owner Lena; she is a real village figure and the soul of this magical place!

At first glance, the Helleketelbos seems like a quiet piece of nature, but those who look closely will discover that the ground still bears silent traces of the First World War. During the war, the forest was part of the ‘West Poperinghe Line’ and was used as a camouflaged resting and hiding place for British soldiers who could escape the hell of the Ypres Salient for a while. Especially during the German Spring Offensive of 1918, the area came under artillery fire. Between the trees, irregular, bowl-shaped pits are still visible here and there. They are overgrown remnants of shell impacts, now largely reclaimed by nature. Even outside the forest, the traces of war are subtly present. British army maps from July 1918 show a large military camp with wooden barracks around the Helleketelweg. They disappeared shortly after the Armistice, but the straight roads and property boundaries in the area still recall this military history today. A beautiful example of a place where nature has slowly covered the past, but not completely erased it.

Unfortunately, you can't get any closer.

Het Ovenhuus is a charming, local restaurant where hospitality and classic Belgian cuisine are central.

on the border

“The Mud” a war poem from the poetry collection “Menschen in de Grachten” by Daan Boens (1893-1977).