Easy hikes and walks around Veurne

The Sint-Jans-Onthoofdingkerk in Stavele is also known as the 'Leaning Tower of Pisa' of the Westhoek! If you look closely while cycling through the Yser Valley, you'll notice something about the skyline of Stavele. No, it's not due to the Westvleteren trappist beer or the Hommel beer from the Hop Festivals: the church tower of the Sint-Jans Onthoofdingkerk is really a little bit crooked! This robust church tower has been suffering from stability problems for decades and at some point decided to subtly lean towards the countryside. Although engineers are keeping a close eye on things and the tower has fortunately been declared stable, we secretly have our own, West Flemish version of the Tower of Pisa here in the Westhoek.

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! 😉

Folk nostalgia on the Yser 🍻 Anyone cycling through Stavele can hardly ignore the authentic facade of ’t Hof van Commerce. This 180-year-old inn breathes the atmosphere of the Westhoek, with old signs, horse stables, and an interior full of antiques and stories. The former stables have been given a new life as atmospheric themed rooms, the terrace is located on the spot of the former pigsty, and even the toilet is in an old rabbit hutch. 😄 On the terrace, near the historic Stavele bridge and the Yser, you can enjoy a Picon, regional beer, or a hearty Breughel buffet. A wonderful place to put your bike aside for a moment and experience the authentic Westhoek at its best!

looks wonderful when you see it live. The water runs under the artwork on the pedestal

The pedestrian and cycle ferry is free and you can save a lot of distance

The demarcation post in Nieuwpoort-Bad (officially Demarcation Post No. 2) is a historical monument marking the northernmost point of the Western Front during World War I. The granite column symbolizes the extreme limit of the German advance and the place where the enemy was finally halted. A demarcation post (or borne Vauthier) is a memorial stone designed by the French sculptor and veteran Paul Moreau-Vauthier. In the 1920s, a total of 118 posts were erected along the entire 650-kilometer front line, from Nieuwpoort on the North Sea to the Swiss border. Today, 19 of these posts remain in Belgium. Symbolism and appearance: the post is about a meter high, made of red Alsatian granite, and is full of maritime and military symbols. The top: atop the post rests a Belgian soldier's helmet (Adrian type with a lion's head) on a laurel wreath. The sides: carved military equipment, including a canteen, a gas mask, hand grenades, and laurel branches. The inscription: the post bears the text in three languages (Dutch, French, and English): "Here the invader was stopped" Destruction and restoration in WWII: the confrontational text on the posts was an eyesore for Nazi Germany. During the occupation in World War II, the Germans ordered the multilingual inscriptions on the West Flemish demarcation posts to be chiseled away. It was not until September 1991 that the damaged inscriptions on the posts in Nieuwpoort were officially restored and rebuilt to their former glory. Historical significance of Post No. 2 The German attack (1917): Although the front on the Yser stabilized in October 1914 due to the deliberate flooding of the polders, the post in Nieuwpoort-Bad specifically commemorates a later, fierce battle. On July 10, 1917, the Germans launched a surprise attack (Unternehmen Strandfest) on the British lines on the coast to thwart an Allied offensive. Extreme limit: German stormtroopers managed to push the Allies back to the mouth of the Yser, but could not cross the harbor channel. The post stands exactly at the spot where this bloody advance was halted.

Wooden plank floor is being renovated, autumn 2025

"Westerpunt" is a six-meter-high architectural gem on the promenade leading to France. Studio MOTO designed it as a symbolic connection between the sea, dunes, and humanity. From the top, you can enjoy a magnificent 360° view of the surroundings. At high tide, part of the structure is submerged, making it seem as if you are literally suspended "above" the sea.