The best traffic-free bike rides around Warneton

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.

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!

Dadizele has been a renowned place of pilgrimage since the 15th century. Pilgrims worship the statue of Our Lady and Child there. Construction of the basilica began in 1857 in response to the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854. Monsignor Malou, Bishop of Bruges, wanted a monumental church for his diocese to honor this dogma. The plans were by the English architect Welby Pugin. The church of Dadizele was elevated to a basilica in 1882 by Pope Leo XIII. Along with the Chapel of the Holy Blood in Bruges and the abbey church of Zevenkerken, the Basilica of Our Lady is the only basilica in the diocese. The beautiful stained-glass windows depict not only the history of the church but also various facts from the life of Mary. In the crypt, we see the tomb, spurs, gloves, and sword of Knight Jan van Dadizele. The basilica is a protected monument and remains very popular, especially during the pilgrimage months of May and September. Source: toerismedadizele.be

The beer Ypra, now brewed by the Omer Vander Ghinste brewery in Bellegem, is an ode to the Vermeulens' perseverance! Visit the brewery to hear the whole story.

Hill 62, also known as Sanctuary Wood, is home to the Canadian Hill 62 Memorial, which commemorates the actions of the Canadian Corps in the defence of the southern sector of the Ypres Salient between April and August 1916. This memorial marks the first time that Canadian divisions were involved in planned offensive operations during the war.

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.

The Irish Peace Tower is the central monument in the Irish Peace Park in Mesen, West Flanders. The park and the tower were built in memory of the Irish soldiers who were killed, wounded or missing in action during the First World War. The tower, which has a height of 30.5 metres, is designed according to the traditional model of an Irish round tower. Since September 2023, the park has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

An interesting anecdote concerns the explosion of one of the mines on 17 July 1955 by lightning. This mine had not been detonated during the war and was still underground. The explosion created a new crater and reminded the local population of the lasting impact of the war.