Messines, the Irish Peace Park and the Ploegsteert countryside
A circular walking route starting from the car park at the Peace Park on Ireland Island in Messines. This park commemorates the Battle of the Mines in 1917. At that time, Irish Catholic and Protestant soldiers fought side by side. Young Irish people helped to build the tower as a symbol of reconciliation.
Details
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 6.66 mi -
Average duration: 3h 10 -
Difficulty: Moderate -
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Back to start: Yes -
Ascent: + 135 ft -
Descent: - 144 ft -
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Highest point: 161 ft -
Lowest point: 49 ft
Country:
City:
Waypoints
- S/E : mi 0 - alt. 151 ft - Irish Peace Park
- 1 : mi 0.52 - alt. 72 ft - Steenbeek
- 2 : mi 1.4 - alt. 157 ft - The Nightingale
- 3 : mi 1.9 - alt. 105 ft - N365
- 4 : mi 3.54 - alt. 75 ft - Potterie Path
- 5 : mi 4.55 - alt. 56 ft - Douve (rivière) - Belgique - Affluent de la Lys
- 6 : mi 4.86 - alt. 62 ft - Dumortier Farm
- S/E : mi 6.66 - alt. 151 ft - Irish Peace Park
Other walks in the area
The Irish Tower in the Peace Park and the Wijtschate countryside
Visorando Member6.27 mi
+177 ft
-184 ft
3h 00
Easy
Departure from Mesen (Hainaut)
Departure and arrival at the car park of the Irish Tower in the Peace Park in Messines. The Irish Island Peace Park refers to the Battle of the Mines in 1917. At that time, Irish Catholic and Protestant soldiers fought side by side. Young Irish people helped build the tower as a sign of reconciliation. This site offers a magnificent view of the surrounding hilly landscape.
Messines Peace Park and the Spanbroekmolen British Cemetery
6.09 mi
+210 ft
-217 ft
3h 00
Easy
Departure from Mesen (Hainaut)
A circular walking route starting from the car park at the Irish Tower in Messines Peace Park, passing through the Spanbroekmolen British Cemetery and the New Zealand Memorial.
Messines Peace Park via the countryside around Ploegsteert and Wulvergem
6.48 mi
+240 ft
-246 ft
3h 10
Moderate
Departure from Mesen (Hainaut)
A circular walking route starting from the car park by the Irish Tower in the Peace Park in Messines. The walk passes by the British military cemetery, ‘Saint-Quentin Cabaret Military Cemetery’, in Wulvergem
The Wijtschate circular campaign starting from Messines
6.29 mi
+213 ft
-223 ft
3h 05
Moderate
Departure from Mesen (Hainaut)
A circular walking route starting from the car park at Messines Church, passing by the British military cemetery at Derry House, named after a farm which had been nicknamed “Derry House” by soldiers of the Royal Irish Rifles. It was established amongst the ruins of the farm in June 1917 by a field ambulance unit of the 11th Division (32nd Brigade). It was used as a front-line cemetery until December 1917, and again in October 1918 by the 2nd London Scots.
Messines via the countryside of Warneton and Bas-Warneton
6.27 mi
+144 ft
-144 ft
3h 00
Moderate
Departure from Mesen (Hainaut)
Departure and arrival at the car park on Messines' main square. This is an important memorial site for the First World War. This route is ideal for hiking in winter as it follows paths with solid surfaces and no muddy sections.
Messines via the countryside of Warneton, Bas-Warneton and Houthem
9.49 mi
+194 ft
-197 ft
4h 30
Moderate
Departure from Mesen (Hainaut)
Start and finish at the car park on the main square in Messines via the countryside of Warneton and Bas-Warneton and through the village of Houthem.
The start and finish can also be in the village of Houthem.
Grand Place in Messines via the centre of Wijtschate and its countryside
6.35 mi
+207 ft
-213 ft
3h 05
Moderate
Departure from Mesen (Hainaut)
Departure and arrival at the car park on the main square in Messines.
During the 1914-1918 war, Wijtschate was taken by the Germans in early November 1914. It was recaptured by Commonwealth forces during the Battle of Messines on 7 June 1917, but fell back into German hands on 16 April 1918. The village was recaptured for the last time on 28 September.
Messines town square via the countryside of Houthem and Hollebeke
9.30 mi
+207 ft
-210 ft
4h 25
Moderate
Departure from Mesen (Hainaut)
Departure and arrival at the car park on the main square in Messines via the countryside of Houthem and Hollebeke.
The walk passes the old school in Linde, which is a completely renovated and very peaceful rural school in the Heuvelland. The building is listed in the cultural heritage index and is therefore unique.
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