The First World War set the Westhoek ablaze, but reconstruction proceeded at a rapid speed. Yet not all the scars in the landscape disappeared.
The renewed Peace cycling trail lets you explore the former front of World War I on the Ypres Salient. The 45 km route guides you past WWI sites, beautiful nature and impressive panoramas. In total, we explore three regions: Zonnebeke, Ypres and Langemark-Poelkapelle.
The route
From the centre of Zonnebeke, we climb the church tower and visit the Passchendaele Museum in the chateau domain. We then go uphill to the peaceful Polygoonbos, where a bloody battle took place. We descend via the Gasthuisbossen and provincial domain De Palingbeek to reach the centre of Ypres along Zillebekevijver.
You cycle through the peace city of Ypres and go to the former front on the Ypres Salient. You follow the Ypres – Ijzer Canal to then take the Vrijbos route towards the German positions.
You cycle past one WWI site after another, squeezing the brakes several times. The Soldatenfriedhof in Langemark-Poelkapelle is a poignant place of silence, especially when we read the ages on the gravestones. At the top of the giant Tyne Cot Cemetery, you get a great view of the region.
Good to know
This cycle route is integrated as a suggestion loop in the cycle network map “Westhoek”. There will no longer be a separate leaflet of the cycle route. However, the route will remain signposted.
