The best traffic-free bike rides in Slagveld Passendale

Hill 60 is an authentic area from the First World War. The artificial hill, built in 1850, stood at a height of approximately 60 meters, hence the name Hill 60. Between 1914 and 1918, fierce fighting took place here between the Germans and the Allies. Starting in 1915, both sides dug tunnels under the hill in which mines were detonated. The explosion of the deep mines on June 7, 1917, created the current landscape of Hill 60. Many soldiers are still buried beneath this hill.

An interesting anecdote concerns the circumstances of their death. While the train was stationary, residents heard several shots and found the bodies of Marchant and Olivier about 200 meters away. It is still a mystery whether they tried to escape or whether they were executed. In 1969, a memorial stone was unveiled to commemorate their courage and sacrifice.

The French Resistance Monument at Hill 60 commemorates two French resistance fighters, Pierre Marchant and Lucien Olivier, who were executed by German troops during World War II. On September 2, 1944, they were captured in their hometown of La Madeleine, near Lille, and taken by train to Belgium. They were taken from the train at Hill 60 and shot.

Tyne Cot Cemetery is the largest Commonwealth cemetery in the world, located near Passchendaele. It was established in October 1917 and contains over 11,000 graves of soldiers who died during the First World War. The site was strategically important during the Battle of Passchendaele and was used as an advanced dressing station after its capture by the 3rd Australian Division on 4 October 1917. The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker and includes an impressive Cross of Sacrifice, built on a former German bunker. The cemetery was significantly expanded after the Armistice to include graves from nearby battlefields and smaller cemeteries.

Zonnebeke, a charming municipality in West Flanders, is a place where history and nature come together. Known for its role in the First World War, it is home to impressive memorial sites such as Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest British military cemetery in the world. In addition to its historical significance, Zonnebeke offers beautiful landscapes and recreational routes, ideal for a trip through the rolling Flemish countryside. The Zonnebeke Castle Estate is an absolute must, where you can not only enjoy the green surroundings, but also take a culinary break at Koklikoo, a charming place for lunch, coffee and sweet temptations.

The Polygon Forest, also known as Polygon Wood, is a historically and ecologically valuable forest area in Zonnebeke. The forest is located on the Central West Flemish ridge and is an important breeding ground for birds of prey such as sparrowhawks, kestrels and buzzards. The Polygon Forest also houses important war memorials, including the Buttes New British Cemetery and the smaller Polygon Wood Cemetery. These cemeteries are a tribute to the soldiers who died during the First World War. An interesting anecdote concerns the Scott Post and the New Zealand Bunkers, which can still be found in the forest. These bunkers were built by the Germans and later occupied by the Australian divisions in 1917.

The Strolijn in Passendale is a former railway line, known as Spoorlijn 64, which ran between Ypres and Roeselare. This line was used during the First World War for the transport of troops and equipment. After the war, the railway line was transformed into a recreational walking and cycling route, now known as the Stroroute. The name "Strolijn" comes from the fact that the line was often used for the transport of straw and beets. The route connects the Passchendaele Museum with Tyne Cot Cemetery and offers a quiet and green environment for walkers and cyclists.

Tyne Cot Cemetery is the largest Commonwealth cemetery in the world, located near Passchendaele. It was established in October 1917 and contains over 11,000 graves of soldiers who died during the First World War. The site was strategically important during the Battle of Passchendaele and was used as an advanced dressing station after its capture by the 3rd Australian Division on 4 October 1917. The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker and includes an impressive Cross of Sacrifice, built on a former German bunker. The cemetery was significantly expanded after the Armistice to include graves from nearby battlefields and smaller cemeteries.