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Vleteren walks
Westvleteren, Sint-Sixtus Abbey via the Dozinghembos
Visorando Member
9.56 mi
+105 ft
-102 ft
4h 30
Moderate
Departure from Vleteren (Flandre-Occidentale)
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.
Boezinge and the Kermiswandeling of 2025
9.74 mi
+26 ft
-26 ft
4h 30
Moderate
Departure from Ieper (Flandre-Occidentale)
Start and finish at the car park of Boezinge church, with a walk along the canal that connects the Lys to the Yser. Boezinge was devastated during the First World War
The town became a ghost town. Nothing remained of the buildings; the church was also completely destroyed. It was not until the summer of 1919 that the first inhabitants of Boezinge returned
Boezinge Dekemelelaan via Hagebos
9.27 mi
+66 ft
-69 ft
4h 20
Moderate
Departure from Langemark-Poelkapelle (Flandre-Occidentale)
Departure from the car park at Dekemelelaan 31 in Boezinge via Hagebos. Boezinge was devastated during the First World War and became a ghost village. Nothing remained of the buildings; the church was also completely destroyed. It was not until the summer of 1919 that the first inhabitants of Boezinge returned.
The ponds near Ypres
15.91 mi
+207 ft
-210 ft
7h 30
Difficult
Departure from Ieper (Flandre-Occidentale)
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.
Circular via Voormezele starting from Dikkebus Pond
9.62 mi
+108 ft
-95 ft
4h 30
Moderate
Departure from Ieper (Flandre-Occidentale)
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.
De Klijte via Scherpenberg and Mont Rouge
9.42 mi
+610 ft
-604 ft
4h 50
Moderate
Departure from Heuvelland (Flandre-Occidentale)
Departure from the car park at De Klijte church. Crossing Scherpenberg and the Hellebeek nature reserve. Passing close to the vineyards of Mont Kemmel, Mont Rouge and Mont Noir.
Loker, Scherpenberg, Mont Rouge and Sulferberg starting from De Klijte
9.73 mi
+768 ft
-794 ft
5h 10
Moderate
Departure from Heuvelland (Flandre-Occidentale)
Departure from the car park of De Klijte church via Loker, Scherpenberg, Mont Rouge and Sulferberg.
From De Klijte via Lettenberg, Kemmelberg, Monteberg and Scherpenberg
9.68 mi
+577 ft
-574 ft
4h 55
Moderate
Departure from Heuvelland (Flandre-Occidentale)
Departure and arrival in De Klijte via Lettenberg, Kemmelberg, Monteberg and Scherpenberg. Crossing Scherpenberg and the Hellebeek nature reserve. Passing close to the vineyards of Mont Kemmel, Mont Rouge and Mont Noir.
Mont Rouge circular starting from De Klijte
9.48 mi
+797 ft
-794 ft
5h 05
Moderate
Departure from Heuvelland (Flandre-Occidentale)
Departure and arrival at the car parks either at De Klijte church or Loker via Scherpenberg, Sulferberg and the Mont Rouge nature reserve (Hellegatbos, or 'hole in the hill') with its De Kosmos recreation park.
Mont Rouge from Loker
4.70 mi
+325 ft
-322 ft
2h 25
Easy
Departure from Heuvelland (Flandre-Occidentale)
A pleasant short hike near Loker and Le Mont Rouge, with easy-to-use numbered markings.
The plain around Mont de Boeschepe
8.42 mi
+531 ft
-538 ft
4h 20
Moderate
Departure from Boeschepe (Nord)
Starting from the typical Auberge du Vermont, a route through the plains of Flanders at the foot of Mont des Cats and its monastery. Pass by the Moulin de l'Ingratitude and the Vierpot estaminet. Pass through the Boeschepe and Kokereel hills. View of Belgium, Bailleul.
The Red and the Black
10.86 mi
+1,276 ft
-1,270 ft
6h 05
Difficult
Departure from Heuvelland (Flandre-Occidentale)
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).
Around and on Mont Rouge
10.03 mi
+787 ft
-814 ft
5h 20
Difficult
Departure from Heuvelland (Flandre-Occidentale)
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.
Roller coaster and maze on the Monts de Flandre
13.66 mi
+1,427 ft
-1,417 ft
7h 30
Difficult
Departure from Heuvelland (Flandre-Occidentale)
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.
Scherpenberg and Rodeberg, mid-season route
12.37 mi
+942 ft
-938 ft
6h 30
Difficult
Departure from Heuvelland (Flandre-Occidentale)
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).
Hill 60, Mont Sorrel and Zwarte Leen from Zillebeke
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.
Circular from Zillebeke and the 't Riet cultural centre
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
Palingbeek and Hill 62 starting from Zillebeke
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.
A stroll through the Palingbeek estate
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)
Zillebeke Palingbeek Vaartstraat via Zwarte Leen and Mont Sorrel
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.
Mont Rouge, route courte
4.37 mi
+525 ft
-551 ft
2h 30
Easy
Departure from Heuvelland (Flandre-Occidentale)
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!
Loker via Saint Jans Cappel, Mont Noir, Douve valley and Mont Rouge
9.37 mi
+712 ft
-702 ft
4h 55
Moderate
Departure from Heuvelland (Flandre-Occidentale)
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.
Discovering the Lettenberg
13.66 mi
+1,178 ft
-1,184 ft
7h 20
Difficult
Departure from Heuvelland (Flandre-Occidentale)
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.
The Mont Rouge and the Douve valley circular starting from Loker
9.42 mi
+673 ft
-673 ft
4h 55
Moderate
Departure from Heuvelland (Flandre-Occidentale)
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.
The Three Mountains of Flanders
12.77 mi
+1,152 ft
-1,161 ft
6h 55
Difficult
Departure from Berthen (Nord)
These three mountains watch over Bailleul, the capital of Flanders between Lille and Dunkirk: Mont des Cats, Mont de Boeschepe and Mont Noir, plus Mont Kokereel. From the top of these small hills (180m), you can enjoy views over the surrounding area.
The route offers several points of interest, including Marguerite Yourcenar's house on Mont Noir, the Boschepe mill in the village of the same name, and Mont des Cats and its abbey of Cistercian monks, founded in 1826.
Around Mont Kemmel in Dries
5.61 mi
+486 ft
-469 ft
3h 00
Easy
Departure from Heuvelland (Flandre-Occidentale)
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.
Let’s wander around the mountain
17.41 mi
+1,434 ft
-1,404 ft
7 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Godewaersvelde (Nord)
A very long route on and around Mont des Cats, allowing you to explore its southern section. I’ve tried to take as many paths as possible, resulting in a very winding route (hence the name of the walk). Take care on the small roads where visibility isn’t always very good.
Mont des Cats and the Helleketelbos Nature Reserve
15.89 mi
+719 ft
-738 ft
7h 55
Difficult
Departure from Godewaersvelde (Nord)
After passing through Mont des Cats, you head back down to Boeschepe before a short detour into Belgium near Poperinge. As a bonus, there’s a ‘short’ circular route through the Helleketelbos nature reserve – just for the fun of getting your boots muddy.
Caterpillar Crater Circular Loop
7.89 mi
+285 ft
-276 ft
3h 55
Moderate
Departure from Ieper (Flandre-Occidentale)
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.
Around Mont des Cats (Katts Walk)
3.03 mi
+322 ft
-322 ft
1h 40
Easy
Departure from Godewaersvelde (Nord)
Walk around the Mont des Cats monastery. Peaceful, natural surroundings and panoramic views guaranteed.
Mont des Cats - Around the Monastery
6.90 mi
+705 ft
-676 ft
3h 45
Moderate
Departure from Berthen (Nord)
This walk will take you around the Mont des Cats along paths and back roads. It will reveal its viewpoints, its chapels, its heritage and its gentle slopes.
Circular Zillebeke Palingbeek Vaartstraat
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.
Wijtschate church via the Wulvergem countryside and the Kampagnebos woods
6.23 mi
+338 ft
-338 ft
3h 10
Moderate
Departure from Heuvelland (Flandre-Occidentale)
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
Wijtschate and St Médard Church via the Spanbroekmolen Krater
6.24 mi
+233 ft
-220 ft
3h 05
Moderate
Departure from Heuvelland (Flandre-Occidentale)
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.
Wijtschate centre via Hollebeke and the Palingbeek estate
9.44 mi
+210 ft
-213 ft
4h 30
Easy
Departure from Heuvelland (Flandre-Occidentale)
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.