The best hikes from bus stations around Polygonebos

The provincial domain of Gasthuisbossen (Hospital Forests) originated during the Middle Ages when the wealthiest inhabitants of Ypres sought to earn their keep by donating to churches and monasteries. This enabled the construction of impressive Gothic churches between 1200 and 1350. They also founded almshouses and almshouses: a combination of hospital, poor relief, and asylums (now the Public Centre for Social Welfare). To finance the operation of their almshouses and almshouses, the wealthy also donated agricultural land and forests. Thus, there are 220 hectares of "Hospital Forests" around Ypres. The Ypres Gasthuisbossen encompass eight domains: Huikerbossen and Padhoekbos, Twaalfgemetenbos and Papenelst, Zwarte Leenbos, Groenenburg, Zandvoordebos, Godtschalck Domain, Hoge Netelaar, and Drieblotenbos. In Wijtschate, there is also Kampagnebos. In 1996, over 200 hectares of forest were leased by the Ypres region to the Province of West Flanders. The Gasthuisbossen now form a provincial domain. This information is from the map "Ypres Salient Walking Network."

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.

Beautiful forest to relax.

For the attentive walker. The building exploded from the inside. Presumably by detonating explosives found after the war.

Edgard Robert Mobbs (9/6/1882 - 31/7/1917) was a well-known English rugby player who died nearby. His body was never found.

Unofficial commemoration by the family of Robert James Funnell who was killed nearby (9/8/1917) during the third battle of Ypres. Robert has no known grave and is also commemorated at the Menin Gate in Ypres.

The Gasthuisbossen walking route is an absolute top nature walk through forest and meadow. Info Wikipedia: The Gasthuisbossen are a provincial domain in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The forests consist of a number of forest domains southeast of the city of Ypres. They are located on the ridge of the Ypres Salient, on the watershed of the Yser and the Leie. The total area is more than 200 ha. The Gasthuisbossen are protected in Europe as part of the Natura 2000 area 'West-Vlaams Heuvelland' https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasthuisbossen_(Ieper)

An impressive memorial that vividly illustrates the role of the Maori presence in Europe during the First World War. The monument is a stone's throw from the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917. The pou maumahara (memorial carving) is made from 4,500 year old native New Zealand wood by master carvers, teachers and students from the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute (NZMACI) in Rotorua, New Zealand. The monument has two sides representing Tumatauenga (war) and Rongomaraeroa (peace), recognising those who travelled great distances to take part in the war, as well as those who remained in New Zealand", "Pohutukawa trees welcomed the tupuna (ancestors) of the Maori people of New Zealand when they first arrived in the country, and were also the tree that spiritually bids farewell to our loved ones." The story depicted, “Pou maumahara”, is part of New Zealand’s shared history with Belgium – and the reason so many of our people travel here each year to honour the memory of those who fought in the First World War. The red pohutukawa flower is also often compared to the poppy at Passchendaele when it is in bloom. The monument weighs just over six tonnes and is eight metres high. A monument to look up to with respect. You can also observe the Haka at this location pronounce. Ka mate! Ka mate! Ka ora! Ka ora! Ka mate! Ka mate! Ka ora! Ka ora! Tenei te tangata puhuru huru Nana nei i tiki mai Whakawhiti te ra A upa ... ne! A upa ... ne! A upane kaupane whiti te ra! Hi!!! Ha!!! English translation: This death! This death! This life! This life! This death! This death! This life! This life! Behold! There stands a hairy man He has brought something He made the sun shine A step forward! Another step forward! A step forward, another.. The sun is shining!! Hi!!! Ha!!!