The best walks and hikes around Poperinge

From Belgian WWI rest zone to Trappist pickup point Today, cyclists and beer lovers come here to pick up their reserved crate of Westvleteren. More than a hundred years ago, this was a very different place. At the end of 1917, the area around St. Sixtus Abbey was set up as a Belgian rest zone. Soldiers could catch their breath here after their deployment at the front. Initially, the monks feared that the Belgian troops would cause nuisance, but that concern proved unfounded. The soldiers behaved exemplarily and helped the abbey where needed. A British officer described the place as an “oasis of rest and peace in the middle of the war desert.” Today, that peace still reigns here, only with a very different mission: no soldiers resting, but cyclists picking up their crate of Blond, 8 or 12. 🍺 Tip: picking up your Westvleteren here? Then take a look at the information board. You are standing in a place where war history and Trappist beer come together beautifully today.

A fairytale discovery! Deeply hidden among the rhododendrons and old trees of Kasteeldomein De Lovie, you'll suddenly stumble upon this magnificent historic garden pavilion. With its classic columns and unique domed roof, this memorable 'gloriette' looks like it's straight out of a romantic picture book. The ultimate secret tip to slow down and admire during your bike tour!

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!

Dozinghem Military Cemetery – the largest of the medical trilogy As the closing piece of the medical trilogy surrounding the field hospitals of 1917, Dozinghem Military Cemetery is an impressive stop. During the Third Battle of Ypres, the 4th, 47th, and 61st Casualty Clearing Stations were located here. Soldiers who did not survive their injuries found their final resting place here. The name is also a typical example of British soldiers' humour: Dozinghem refers to 'to doze' and winks at the rest and anaesthesia in the hospital. With 3,312 graves, this is the largest of the three medical cemeteries. Besides the Cross of Sacrifice and the Stone of Remembrance, 73 victims from the Second World War, 65 German soldiers, and three members of the Chinese Labour Corps are also buried here. Hidden in the greenery near De Lovie, this is a particularly quiet place with an impressive story.

St. Sixtus Abbey & In de Vrede: Trappist beer with a touch of mystery 🍻 A bike tour through the Westhoek is not complete without a stop at the St. Sixtus Abbey of Westvleteren. The brewery itself remains closed to visitors, but the abbey walls and the information center Het Claustrum offer a beautiful glimpse into the lives of the monks and the rich history of this special place. Right next to the abbey, you'll find In de Vrede, the meeting center where you can enjoy a Westvleteren Blond, 8, or 12, accompanied by a snack on the terrace. In the abbey shop, depending on availability, you can also purchase Trappist beer and official glasses. A delightful stop where tranquility, history, and an authentic West Flemish beer moment come together!

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.

Nice dirt path parallel to the road.

This is probably a motte and bailey structure, perhaps built on an earlier Roman burial mound.