The best traffic-free bike rides around Langemark - Poelkapelle

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.

Shady in sunny and warm weather

Beautiful cycling route

Here you can happen to see a boat passing through the lock.

The New Zealand Division Passchendaele Memorial commemorates the more than 5,000 New Zealand soldiers who were killed or mortally wounded during the series of battles that culminated in the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. Located in Zonnebeke, Belgium, the memorial pays tribute to the sacrifices of New Zealand troops during one of the darkest days in New Zealand's military history.

Beautiful cycle path, what a luxury!

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.