The best cycling routes around Heuvelland

Sint-Bavokerk – Watou's historic heart Anyone walking or cycling through Watou can hardly fail to notice the striking Sint-Bavokerk. This historic church has been the heart of the village for centuries and, with its graveyard wall and characteristic architecture, is an atmospheric eye-catcher on Watouplein. The church also has a special connection to the art that so typifies Watou. During the Kunstenfestival Watou, the historic interior is regularly given a contemporary interpretation, bringing together old and new in a surprisingly beautiful way. So, during your visit, be sure to take some time to look up, step inside the church, or enjoy the view from the square. History, art, and the typical atmosphere of Watou come together beautifully here.

Flandrien Challenge – Gildestraat is a short but fierce calf-biter! Do you see this tile on the asphalt? Then you are at the foot of an official Flandrien Challenge segment! This is your invitation to give it your all on the flanks of the Rodeberg in Heuvelland. What awaits you on the Gildestraat? It is short and powerful! With a length of only 250 meters, this climb seems like a piece of cake on paper, but appearances are deceiving. Steep stretch: the road starts relatively calmly with an average of 8%, but in the second part it shoots up venomously to a maximum gradient of no less than 14%! Perfect launch: This asphalted climb brings you to just before the notorious Baneberg. Ideal for getting your heart rate up sharply for a moment. Golden tip: just before you dive under the trees, quickly look over your shoulder. You will get one of the most beautiful panoramas of the village of Loker for free. Step on it and blaze!

Wine between the two mountains 🍇 For three generations, the Bacquaert family has been growing wine here on 18 hectares between the Rodeberg and Zwarteberg, also known as Entre-Deux-Monts. Thanks to the south-facing slopes and special soil, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Auxerrois, Pinot Noir, and other grape varieties have ample opportunity to ripen here. During a tour, you will discover the vineyard, vinification room, and wooden barrel cellar, and learn all about the winemaking process. And of course, a tasting is included: enjoy a good glass of wine with a view over the vineyards. A tasty stop for every passerby!

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An interesting anecdote concerns the name of the cemetery. It refers to a chalet that stood in the hamlet before the war. This chalet served as a point of reference for the soldiers and gave the cemetery its name.

Lindenhoek Chalet Military Cemetery is a British military cemetery from the First World War, located in the hamlet of Lindenhoek, south of Kemmel. The cemetery was established in March 1915 by medical posts and combat units and remained in use until October 1917. After the war, approximately 130 more graves from the battlefields around Kemmel were added. The cemetery contains the graves of 317 soldiers, 69 of whom are unidentified. The cemetery has a rectangular plan and is slightly raised above street level, surrounded by a brick wall.

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.