Flandre-Occidentale walks

Short route on beautiful, well-maintained Belgian trails with good signage.Simple signposting: there are posts with numbers and an arrow indicating the number you want to go to (not easy to explain but obvious when you're there). In wet weather, some areas may be soggy or even very muddy.

A long, slightly winding route to enjoy the beautiful Belgian trails, which are well maintained and clearly marked. Simple signposting: there are posts with numbers and an arrow indicating the number you want to go to (not easy to explain but obvious when you're there). Difficult route, even very difficult in wet weather.

This is an easy hike despite a section on Mont Kemmel with steep slopes and steps. The rest is pleasant, with sections through vineyards and views of the surrounding countryside.

A pleasant short hike near Loker and Le Mont Rouge, with easy-to-use numbered markings.

A long walk in Belgium, a little flat, but the length makes up for it. It will allow you to discover beautiful lakes, the Palingbeek estate and part of the ramparts of Ypres. It may be a little monotonous, but it is sometimes pleasant to hike on well-maintained trails with good signposting. Our Pas-de-Calais has some progress to make in this area. The signposting system is the same as for the Mont Kemmel and Mont Rouge walks.

This is a more family-friendly version of my two other hikes on Mont Rouge. It's short but with a good elevation gain. Half of the route is in the countryside and half in the woods, with a minimum of tarmac. Enough to keep you busy for half a day while getting plenty of fresh air!

A pleasant route in Belgium. This is the Sentier des Gueux (Geuzen walking route), the end of which I have modified. It uses the same signposting as the Mont Kemmel and Mont Rouge routes. It is an easy walk along small roads, wide farm tracks and some very pleasant paths (including a "paved slanting street"!).

Return to Mont Rouge, passing through the Bois du Mont Noir. Enjoy a beautiful stroll through the woods, ending with a superb (and challenging) staircase. Be careful, as soon as it gets a little wet, the paths become very difficult and you can sometimes find yourself with mud up to your mid-shoes. This was the case this morning (19 November 2021).

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).

Another way to approach Kemmel, this time from the east. There are some sections in common with the first hike, but the paths are taken in the opposite direction, which allows you to enjoy them in a different way. And we can thank our Belgian neighbours for the quantity and quality of the trails they offer us.

A patchwork of different routes in the area for a long hike that will delight your thighs.As for the mountains, like the Musketeers, there are four (or even five, I forgot the Baneberg near the mill), as you climb Mont Noir twice.In short, a nice climb in the Flat Country on numerous paths and a few small, quiet roads. It's a demanding route, because even between the mountains, there are plenty of small hills. But, as is often the case in Belgium, the trails are well maintained and constantly being improved.

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)

Just a few kilometres from the French-Belgian border, a walk in Flanders, in the heart of the ‘flat country’. This walk will take you from the charming and picturesque town of Veurne (Furnes in French) to Beauvoorde Castle. Before setting off, do take a stroll around the town to admire the many Renaissance houses and perhaps visit the town hall, St Walburga’s Church or the bakery museum.

When the weather becomes a little wetter, you can still hike on Mont Rouge. This route alternates between small roads (with little traffic), paths and forest trails, which makes it a little less strenuous. It is a winding route, so the app is very useful. There is quite a bit of elevation gain and, in wet weather, the trails are quite slippery. The walk is therefore quite tiring (equivalent to a 25 km route).

Bruges becomes an enchanted setting during the Christmas market: chalets, the smell of hot chocolate, lights and golden reflections on the canals. Stroll through cobbled streets, medieval houses and illuminated bridges.Nicknamed the "Venice of the North", the city combines historic charm and peaceful corners, perfect for a stroll through its old town and green spaces.Bruges also has its stories: legends of haunted alleys, tales of guilds and small courtyards hidden behind façades.Despite the winter, swans, ducks and moorhens enliven the canals, while the Minnewater and the Beguinage offer havens of nature.With superb views from the bridges, local crafts, carousels and a magical atmosphere, this walk promises a unique blend of heritage, festive magic and culinary delights.

Departure and arrival at the car park of Loker Church via the countryside of Saint Jans Cappel and the Marguerite Yourcenar Nature Reserve at Mont Noir. Pass through the Douve Valley, which forms the border with France, and along Mont Rouge.

Start and finish at the car park of the church in Dranouter via Monteberg, Lettenberg and Kemmelberg. Pass along the Monteberg vineyard and through the woods of the Kemmelberg provincial estate.

This is a route on which I had fun concentrating as many difficulties as possible (more than 400 m of elevation gain). This gives it a somewhat labyrinthine feel, but it allows you to avoid tarmac as much as possible. So you walk from peak to peak on well-marked, clean paths. The use ofthe Visorando app is highly recommended, even though the numbering system is very practical.

Departure from the car park of Sint-Sixtus Abbey in Westvleteren. Pass through the Dozinghembos, along anunpaved path in the Dozinghembos and partly between fields. Then into the forest that is part of the Sixtusbossen.Following this route, you will encounter several beautiful forests in this part of the province of West Flanders. You will also enjoy wide views of the agricultural landscape.

Start and finish at the Dikkebus pond car park. The route crosses a meadow where, in summer, you may encounter cows grazing on the grass.

A circular walking route starting from the car park at Loker Church, via Mont Rouge, the Entre-deux-Monts vineyard, the Vidaigne estate, the countryside around Boeschèpe and Westouter, the Sulferberg and the Scherpenberg.

A circular walking route starting from the car park at Loker Church, via the Eeuwenhout estate, the countryside around Dranouter and Mont Noir, the Douve valley, Mont Rouge and the Entre deux Monts vineyard.

A circular walking route starting from the car park at Loker Church, via Mont Rouge, the ‘Trou de l’Enfer’ in the Hellegatbos woods, the Sulferberg, and the countryside around Westouter and Reningelst.

A circular walking route starting from the car park at Loker Church, via the Vidaigneberg, the Douve Valley, Mont Noir, the Westouter countryside, the De Broekelzen nature reserve and Mont Rouge.

An easy route, passing through Plassendale in the Flemish Polders and following a canal. Well-maintained cycle paths. Passes through the lovely little town of Oudenburg. Returns via Stalhillebrug and Vlissegem.

A circular walking route starting from the car park at the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Dadizele. This route takes in country lanes, green fields, chapels and local farms.

A circular walking route starting at Loker Church, via Mont Rouge, the Behaegel estate, the Douve Valley, the Entre-deux-Monts vineyards, the Hellegatbos, the Westouter countryside and the Scherpenberg.

A circular walking route starting from Loker Church via Scherpenberg, Sulferberg, the Westouter countryside, Marguerite Yourcenar Park, Mont Noir, the Douve Valley and Mont Rouge.

A circular walking route starting at the church in the hamlet of De Klijte in Reningelst, through the countryside around Reningelst and Dikkebus, and past the Klein-Vierstraat British Military Cemetery

A circular walking route starting from Loker Church, passing through the Sulferberg, the Westouter vineyards, Marguerite Yourcenar Park, Mont Noir, the Douve Valley and the Behaegel Estate

A circular walking route starting from Loker Church, passing through Mont Rouge, the Douve Valley, the Behaegel estate, the British Military Cemetery No. 10 at Locre, Dranouter Church and the Monteberg vineyard.

A circular walking route starting from the car park at Geluveld Church, via the Polygoonbos, the Nonnebossen, the ‘The Brothers in Arms’ memorial and the Buttes New British Cemetery in Polygon Wood.

A circular walking route starting from the car park at Geluveld Church, via the Polygoonbos (one of Belgium’s oldest state-owned forests), the Nonnebossen and the Brothers In Arms Memorial

A circular walking route starting from the car park at Zillebeke Pond, passing through the Dickebusch Old Military Cemetery, the hamlet of De Klijte and the British Military Cemetery ‘The Huts’ in Ypres

A circular walking route starting from Zillebeke Church and passing through the fourth-largest Commonwealth military cemetery in Europe, with 5,923 graves: Hooge Crater Cemetery. The walk passes by Bellewaerde Park, Mont Sorrel, Zwarte Leen and Palingbeek.

A circular walking route starting from Zillebeke Church via the Hooge Crater: the fourth-largest Commonwealth military cemetery in Europe, with 5,923 graves. Nearby are Bellewaerde amusement park, Mont Sorrel and the Palingbeek Estate nature reserve.

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.

Departure and arrival near the Church of Saint-Médard in Wijtschate via the Spanbroekmolen Krater. This is part of the Crater and Mine route, which passes through key battle sites from the 1914-1918 war, including the historic site of the British military cemetery and its crater: Spanbroekmolen. The route also passes close to the British military cemeteries of Lone Tree, Irish House and Wijtschaete Cemetery.

Departure and arrival at the car park near the Church of Saint Médard in Wijtschate via the Wulvergem countryside and the Kampagnebos woods This hike partly follows the route called Craters and Mines

Start and finish at the car park on the main square in Neuve Église via the countryside around Dranouter. This route is mostly on paved paths and is therefore ideal for a mud-free walk in winter.

Start and finish at the car park of Wulvergem Church or the main square in Neuve Église. This walk mostly follows paved paths and is therefore ideal for winter.

Departure and arrival at the car park of the church in Dranouter via Ravensberg in the Bailleul countryside. Pass by the Wijngaard Koudekot vineyard, which produces white, rosé and red wines.

A long stretch along the slopes of Mont Kemmel to discover the Lettenberg, a small hill near Kemmel (perhaps the result of the union between Mont Rouge and Mont Kemmel?). The rest of the route is fairly standard, but passes through areas that are often very damp. And as always in this area, the elevation gain is quite significant. Avoid this walk in early August, during the Dranouter Festival.

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

Departure and arrival at the car park near Saint Médard Church in Wervik. Crossing the border on the Lys bridge. A passage is made at Wervicq-Sud. The path runs along the river to Chemin des Vaches, crosses the countryside of Bousbecque, Parc Dalle-Dumont, followed by crossing the border and the De Balokken nature reserve.

Departure and arrival at the car park of Loker church via the Westouter countryside. Crossing the Hellegatbos woods with a passage through the Hell Hole of Mont Rouge. Passing near the Baneberg mill in Westouter. Crossing the Douve valley, which forms the border between France and Belgium. Passing into France through the Mont Noir countryside in Saint Jans Cappel and the vineyards of Dranouter.

Departure and arrival at the car park in front of the church in Wijtschate. Pass through the countryside of Houthem and Hollebeke, along the Kortrijk-Poperinge railway line and along the southern flank of the Palingbeek estate.

Pass Notre Dame Church, follow Bassevillestraat, cross Zuidlindestraat and take Naaikorfstraat. Pass the Cense de l'Alouette vineyard. At the end, turn right onto Rue du Rossignol, then right onto Leeuwerkstraat and continue straight ahead onto the farm track, which can be quite muddy in winter.

Departure and arrival at the car park of the church in Dranouter via Monteberg, the countryside of Kemmel and Loker. Passing by the vineyards of Monteberg, Kemmel and Loker. Passing by the French ossuary of the 1914-1918 war in Kemmel.

Departure and arrival at the car park of Wulvergem Church. Passing through Rosenberg, along dirt tracks and through fields that are wet and muddy in winter and close to the Cense de l'Alouette vineyard In the shadow of Mont Kemmel, the view overlooks the Douve to the north and the Lys valley to the south. The vineyard was planted in 2018.