The best traffic-free bike rides around Alveringem

The Kallebrug – small bridge, big challenge! This striking wooden arch bridge over the Yser is the legendary Kallebrug, also known as the foot and cycle bridge near Stavele. It connects the towpaths between Stavele and Roesbrugge and forms a special and photogenic stretch of cycle route in the middle of the open landscape. But don't be fooled by its charming appearance… this bridge has a reputation! 😄 In the region, it's jokingly called 'the steepest bridge in the country'. The steep incline means that as a cyclist, you'll have to get out of the saddle here. And for those who find it a bit more difficult: the stairs on the side offer a solution to push the bike up by hand. A small bridge, in other words, where the budding Flandrien can prove themselves for a moment. 💪🚲 Once at the top, the reward awaits: a beautiful view over the Yser and the vast landscape. Take a moment to catch your breath, get your camera out, and then pedal on towards the next highlight. The Kallebrug: small in length, large in gradient… and even larger in cycling stories! 😉

Stavelebrug: from French riders to a lively war camp 🐎 Today, the Stavelebrug is a quiet passage for hikers and cyclists along the Yser. During the First World War, it looked very different here. A historical photo on the information board shows French soldiers on horseback wading through the Yser at this strategic crossing point. Stavele grew into a large army camp during the war, where thousands of soldiers stayed, rested, or were on their way to the front. The bridges over the Yser were also of great importance for the supply of troops, food, and ammunition. Nice detail: in June 1915, the French Zouaves even organised a big party with theatre and music here to boost the soldiers' morale. A beautiful spot to stop for a moment and compare today's peaceful landscape with the activity of more than a hundred years ago.

Bridge closure: The bridge at Fintele is closed to all traffic until October 2, 2026 due to works. New lock gates are being installed, among other things. I came from the Diksmuide direction, had to turn back and continued cycling along Reninge. I haven't seen the situation on the other side yet (whether you can continue to Veurne, for example)

After the poet Emile Verhaeren died in November 1916 in the French town of Rouen, he was initially buried in the military cemetery of Adinkerke (De Panne). Due to the advancing German troops, his remains were secretly transferred at the end of 1917 to a second temporary resting place in the cemetery of Wulveringem (Alveringem). It was not until 1927 that he was finally laid to rest in his monumental tomb on the Scheldt in Sint-Amands. You can find more details about his life and the various locations on the biography page of the Emile Verhaeren Museum.

In the churchyard lie 15 British casualties (including 3 unidentified) from the Second World War. They were members of the British Expeditionary Force who fought against the advancing German troops. They died between 30 May and 1 June 1940. Their graves are maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and are registered there as Wulveringem Churchyard. Source: Wikipedia

Modern and all curves, the Suikerbrug offers a beautiful view of the surrounding landscape.

Next to this church, there is also a small parking lot, so you can easily start your tour from here in all directions.

The harbor in Ypres, known locally as "De Kaaie," is actually the Ieperlee, which runs beneath the city of Ypres and becomes visible again there. At the Drie Grachten (Three Canals), the Ieperlee is joined by the Martjevaart canal, which originates in Merkem. Drie Grachten is a hamlet in the west of Merkem where the three canals converge: the Martjevaart canal, the Ypres-IJzer canal (also known as the Ieperlee Canal), and the Ieperlee itself. Drie Grachten is also known for the battles during World War I, in which the French, including the Zouaves, fought against the Germans. After a failed attack on the German outpost at Luigem, the Germans captured a number of Zouaves. They launched a counterattack but hid behind the captured Zouaves to prevent the French Zouaves from firing on them, thinking they were their own men returning. At one point, one of the captured Zouaves reportedly shouted: "Tirez donc au nom de Dieu, ce sont les Boches!" (For God's sake, these are the Boches!). Immediately after the warning, a French salvo erupted, mowing down both the Germans and the captured Zouaves. The Zouaves of Northern France (Union des Zouaves du Nord) continued to commemorate this after the war. Luigem is a hamlet 1 kilometer east of Drie Grachten and 1 kilometer west of the center of Noordschote. The Zouaves (French: zouaves) were a light infantry unit of the French Army, associated with French North Africa.