The best walks and hikes around Ieper

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.

Dozinghem Military Cemetery – the largest of the medical trilogy As the closing piece of the medical trilogy surrounding the field hospitals of 1917, Dozinghem Military Cemetery is an impressive stop. During the Third Battle of Ypres, the 4th, 47th, and 61st Casualty Clearing Stations were located here. Soldiers who did not survive their injuries found their final resting place here. The name is also a typical example of British soldiers' humour: Dozinghem refers to 'to doze' and winks at the rest and anaesthesia in the hospital. With 3,312 graves, this is the largest of the three medical cemeteries. Besides the Cross of Sacrifice and the Stone of Remembrance, 73 victims from the Second World War, 65 German soldiers, and three members of the Chinese Labour Corps are also buried here. Hidden in the greenery near De Lovie, this is a particularly quiet place with an impressive story.

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!

You walk over this when you do the city walk.

The cemetery grounds were assigned to the United Kingdom in perpetuity by King Albert I of Belgium in recognition of the sacrifices made by the British Empire in the defence and liberation of Belgium during the war.

In 2026 still in need of repair ;-) Lots of mud next to the path.

A very well-maintained cemetery right by the water.

Ramparts Cemetery, Lille Gate is a British military cemetery for the war dead of the First World War, located in the Belgian city of Ypres. The cemetery is situated within the Ypres ramparts, next to the Lille Gate, and covers an area of 1,871 m².