Tourist Car Routes
1. Bachten-de-Kupe Route (94 km)
The Bachten-de-Kupe Route explores a part of the Westhoek that is bounded by the North Sea, France and the Yser River. Since World War I this corner of Belgium unoccupied by the Germans has been known as ‘Bachten de Kupe’, although there are several theories about the origin of the name. The landscape is predominantly polderlike yet varied. There are, for instance, the clayish polders with the low-lying backlands in Lampernisse; the gently sloping sand and clay plateau in Izenberge; the reclaimed Moeren, Belgium’s lowest point; and the Cabour Dunes in Adinkerke, the oldest dunes on our coast.
The route, which can be divided into two stages, takes the tourist along picturesque old villages and historic towns. Starting in Veurne, the historic centre of the region, the route leads to villages such as Steenkerke, Lampernisse, Beauvoorde, Alveringem and Leisele; to the towns of Diksmuide and Lo-Reninge; and to Hondschoote, which is just across the French border.
Charming marketplaces, historic farmhouses and windmills, a moated castle and an open-air museum, town halls or pleasant village pubs and so on. In short, a part of Flanders Fields that is well worth discovering!
2. Yzer Front Route (79 km)
The Yser Front Route leads you through the polder landscape between Nieuwpoort, Koekelare and Diksmuide. A central theme is the First World War. After the German invasion the front became more stabilized. For four long years, the Yser was the front line.
Numerous relics, monuments and cemeteries remind us of this. The route starts in Diksmuide (Peace Gate, Yser Tower, Trench of Death). Via the battlefields of Stuivekenskerke and Ramskapelle we first drive to Nieuwpoort (King Albert I Monument). Along the Yser we continue in the direction of Keiem (Belgian military cemetery). After Leke, the route leads us to Koekelare (Fransmansmuseum, Käthe Kollwitz Tower). Then we call in at Vladslo with the German “Soldatenfriedhof” (soldiers’ cemetery). Through Werken and the valley of the Handzamevaart we finally reach our original starting point Diksmuide.
3. In Flanders Fields Route (82 km)
The In Flanders Fields Route leads you through the southern Westhoek. A central position is taken by the numerous relics and monuments that remind us of the First World War. The route, that starts in Ieper, first follows the Ypres Salient. For four years, harsh battles were fought here. The landscape is full of military cemeteries and monuments: Essex Farm Cemetery in Boezinge, Deutscher Soldatenfriedhof at Langemark, the Guynemer Memorial in Poelkapelle, Tyne Cot Cemetery, the Canadian Memorial in Sint-Juliaan, Hill 62,… Then the route leads you to the woods of the Heuvelland. The landscape is determined by hills, like the Kemmelberg, the Rodeberg and the Scherpeberg. Next to cosy villages in the Heuvelland (Wijtschate, Wulvergem, Nieuwkerke, Kemmel, Dranouter, Loker and Westouter) you also visit Mesen, near the language frontier. On your way back, you visit the hop region of Poperinge. Via Vlamertinge you come back to Ieper.
The Hoeven Route “explores the mountain between Ostend and Diksmuide. This area is part of the Great Westpolder “it is a sea reclaimed land with a strong agricultural character. Pastures, farm fields and courts determine there is the scenery. The route places the central farms. Thus, the Oudenburg Abdijhoeve the Viconia-chateau-farm, the impressive Schoormans BAKKE Farm, the Fleriskot and Spermalie-farmstead served. Other attractions include the forms Keignaertkreek, the Romanesque church of Ettelgem, the landscape of Moere-Nieuwland, Godelieve the abbey of Gistel, the nature of Stuivekenskerke, the Fort and the Royal New Damme domain Raversijde.