Easy hikes and walks around Vrijbos

Shady in sunny and warm weather

Although the fame of this place as "Peace Mill" refers to the First World War (a monument value that only acquired its current form in the summer of 2013), the history of the mill goes back to the third quarter of the 18th century. In 1766, a wooden post mill was built here. In 1879, the then owner replaced the wooden mill with the stone tower mill, supplemented a year later with a steam engine (in an outbuilding), so that milling could also take place when there was no wind. The current outbuilding dates from after WWI (1920).

The Vredesmolen (also "Old mill", "Van Couillie's mill" or "Shooted mill") is a former windmill in the Belgian village of Klerken (Houthulst). The former wooden grain and oil mill is located at the highest point of the village (43 meters) and was therefore used as a lookout post by the Germans during the First World War. During the final offensive it was captured by the Allies, but the Germans had already left the mill via an underground passage. The mill is a rare example of a mill ruin and became a protected monument on April 1, 1999. On the same date it also received its official name "Peace Mill". source: https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vredesmolen

a beautiful green piece of forest with a war past...

The Vredesmolen was a GERMAN LOOKOUT POST during the Great War and is definitely worth a visit. The Vredesmolen, located in the sub-municipality of Klerken, is definitely worth a visit. In clear weather you have a beautiful view. The mill was used as a lookout post during the German occupation. There is also a secret escape tunnel at the bottom of the mill. However, this is not accessible. This would have been used effectively during the final offensive, launched on September 28, 1918, by the Germans to escape the mill unscathed. The mill was recaptured on September 29, 1918. The mill has been beautifully restored to its value. Unfortunately, a large piece of wall was blown away by a storm

In clear weather you have a view of the Heuvelland with the Kemmelberg etc. over the polders to the skyline of the coast. During WWI the mill was used by the Germans as a lookout post. During the final offensive this strategic location was recaptured by the Belgians on 29 September 1918. The mill ruin was preserved as a war memorial and in 2012-2013 restored and consolidated as a lookout tower.

The Vrijbos in Houthulst is one of the larger forests in West Flanders with its 350 hectares. It is an important place of pilgrimage because of the Lourdes grotto in the sub-domain Rotsebos. Deciduous trees set the tone in the Vrijbos, some of which are 100 years old. Woodpeckers, birds of prey, deer, bats and the bright yellow golden oriole are just a few of the many guests in the Vrijbos. Don't be fooled by the tranquility because it is teeming with life! Source: https://www.natuurenbos.be/vrijbos

The Peace Mill was a GERMAN LOOKOUT POST during the Great War and is definitely worth a visit. The Peace Mill, located in the sub-municipality of Klerken, is definitely worth a visit. In clear weather you have a beautiful view. The mill was used as a lookout post during the German occupation. There is also a secret escape tunnel at the bottom of the mill. However, this is not accessible. This would have been used effectively during the final offensive, launched on September 28, 1918, by the Germans to escape the mill unscathed. The mill was recaptured on September 29, 1918. The mill has been beautifully restored to its value. Unfortunately, a large piece of wall was blown away by a storm