Caterpillar Crater Circular Loop

de fr

This 12.1 km circular walk starting from Hill 60, near Ypres, offers an immersion in nature and the memory of the First World War. Accessible and of moderate difficulty, it begins along the Ypres-Komen canal before crossing the open landscapes and ponds of the Palingbeek estate. The route alternates between paths, forest trails and wooden footbridges, with a few flights of steps.

Details

n°96161768
Creation:
Last update:
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–
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.89 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 285 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 276 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 213 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 89 ft
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Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 190 ft - Zwarte Leen - Mine Crater Caterpillar
  2. 1 : mi 0.26 - alt. 203 ft - Mine Crater Caterpillar
  3. 2 : mi 1.61 - alt. 141 ft - Fork in the road
  4. 3 : mi 2.35 - alt. 190 ft - Intersection
  5. 4 : mi 2.55 - alt. 171 ft - Junction
  6. 5 : mi 3.9 - alt. 118 ft - Fork in the road
  7. 6 : mi 4.91 - alt. 115 ft - Crossroads
  8. 7 : mi 5.44 - alt. 115 ft - Junction
  9. 8 : mi 5.52 - alt. 115 ft - Fork in the road
  10. 9 : mi 6.01 - alt. 138 ft - Crossroads
  11. 10 : mi 6.63 - alt. 177 ft - Intersection
  12. 11 : mi 6.86 - alt. 213 ft - Fork in the road
  13. 12 : mi 7.03 - alt. 184 ft - Land art installation
  14. S/E : mi 7.89 - alt. 190 ft - Zwarte Leen - Mine Crater Caterpillar

Worth a visit

Several highlights line the route, such as the Bluff memorial and crater, the tree-lined avenue of Molenbos, and a contemporary land art installation. The end of the route is marked by the impressive mine craters, including the famous Caterpillar Crater, striking reminders of the past.

A varied, accessible walk full of discoveries, ideal for combining walking with history.

Other walks in the area

Walking The Gasthuisbossen from Ypres

Visorando Member
↔6.00 mi ↗+144 ft ↘-144 ft ◔2h 55 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Ieper (Flandre-Occidentale)
A very pleasant hike: lots of woodland, very few small roads and some beautiful clearings. A good half-day in the great outdoors. This hike can be combined with a stroll through the Palingbeek Estate for a route of about 22 km (connecting route between Palingbeek and Gasthuisbossen).

Walking Zillebeke via Mont Sorrel and Zandvoordebos

Visorando Member
↔6.63 mi ↗+144 ft ↘-148 ft ◔3h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Ieper (Flandre-Occidentale)
Departure from the car park on Zwarteleenstraat in Zillebeke via Mont Sorrel and Zandvoordebos. Crossing the woods of Zandvoorde and the provincial domain of West Flanders. Passing through Mont Sorrel.

Walking Circular Zillebeke Palingbeek Vaartstraat

Visorando Member
↔6.74 mi ↗+240 ft ↘-240 ft ◔3h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Ieper (Flandre-Occidentale)
Departure from the car park at the visitor centre of the Palingbeek provincial estate on Vaarstraat.

Walking Palingbeek and Hill 62 starting from Zillebeke

Visorando Member
↔9.34 mi ↗+348 ft ↘-331 ft ◔4h 35 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Ieper (Flandre-Occidentale)
Walk along part of the First World War front line: the area between Hill 60 and Hill 62. You will also pass one of the most remarkable and interesting war museums in Belgium: the Sanctuary Wood Museum. A must-see. You can also have a drink there.Departure from the in 't Riet cultural centre via the visitor centre of the Palingbeek provincial estate and the Canadian site Hill 62.

Walking Hill 60, Mont Sorrel and Zwarte Leen from Zillebeke

Visorando Member
↔9.51 mi ↗+295 ft ↘-295 ft ◔4h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Ieper (Flandre-Occidentale)
Departure from Zillebeke, at the in 't Riet cultural centre, via the provincial estate of Palingbeek, the Caterpillar crater, Hill 60, Zwarte Leen, Mont Sorrel and Hill 62.

Walking Circular from Zillebeke and the 't Riet cultural centre

Visorando Member
↔9.53 mi ↗+276 ft ↘-262 ft ◔4h 35 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Ieper (Flandre-Occidentale)
Departure and arrival at the car park of the cultural centre in 't Riet in Zillebeke. Passing through the woods of Zwarte Leen, Mont Sorrel, Zandvoorde, Sanctuary Wood, and the provincial domain of Vierlingen

Walking Zillebeke Palingbeek Vaartstraat via Zwarte Leen and Mont Sorrel

Visorando Member
↔9.43 mi ↗+240 ft ↘-223 ft ◔4h 35 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Ieper (Flandre-Occidentale)
Departure and arrival at the car park of the visitor centre of the provincial domain of Palingbeek, Vaartstraat 7 in Zillebeke. Other departure and arrival points are possible at the Hill 60 car park on Zwarteleenstraat in Zillebeke or at the car park on Zwarteleenstraat 7 in Zillebeke via Mont Sorrel.

Walking A stroll through the Palingbeek estate

Visorando Member
Déambulation dans le domaine de Palingbeek
↔6.69 mi ↗+295 ft ↘-289 ft ◔3h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Ieper (Flandre-Occidentale)
A lovely cool walk when it’s hot in the Palingbeek Estate, which is remarkably well-maintained considering we’re in Belgium.There are numerous paths on the site; I recommend using the app.For history buffs, there are plenty of information boards (in multiple languages!). Please note, it gets very busy at weekends. This walk can be combined with the Gasthuisbossen for a route of around 22 km (connecting route between Palingbeek and the Gasthuisbossen)

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