Marije Onderwaater
Editorinvullen
Ypres Salient East is Walking Route of the Year 2025
The jury of the annual walking route election had a hard time during this edition. Because there is so much beauty to walk over in the Benelux. After careful consideration, a winner emerged, who was announced last week during the Cycling and Walking Fair in Ghent. And the Walking Route of the Year 2025 is... Ypres Salient East in Belgium.
Walking routes throughout the Benelux have a chance to win this election every year. It is important that they are new, or that something has recently changed on the route. Last year the title went to the Venntrilogie, also in Belgium.
Lots of competition
The Walking Route of the Year 2025 is Ypres Arc East. This route in West Flanders covers 256 kilometres of walking paths and trails, making it the largest network in the province.
The win was not self-evident. The competition was enormous, according to the jury. “The number of candidates was overwhelming, which is why five candidate winners were selected: Nieuwe Streek-GR Limburgse Mijnen (Belgium), Dommelpad (Netherlands), Links en rechts van de Peelrandbreuk (Netherlands), Via Christina Mirabilis (Belgium and Ypres Arc East (Belgium).”
Winner Ypres Salient East
The battle for gold was ultimately between Nieuwe Streek-GR Limburgse Mijnen and Ieperboog Oost, with the latter having just a few more plus points. For example, the jury mentions ’the tear-free and moisture-resistant map, which contains seven fully signposted suggested walks, including the new Legacy of Passchendaele route’.
In addition, the jury members were impressed by the high experience value of the Ieperboog Oost routes, including the audiovisual passages and collaboration with partners, and the good signposting that does not cause ‘over-marking’.
Unesco World Heritage and vineyards
Wine lovers will appreciate the Vierkavenbos walking route (14.8 kilometres). This route goes through various landscapes and vineyards. This also applies to the Kruiseke walking route, which is 6.3 kilometres long and partly goes over unpaved roads.
The PompesIeperboog Oost has a lot to offer walkers. This is partly due to the history of this area. For example, heavy battles took place here during the First World War. The 17.6 kilometre long Legacy of Passchendaele walking route is a reminder of that time. This route passes, among other things, the Tyne Cot Cemetery, which is the largest British military cemetery in the world and has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The 9.1 kilometre long chitters walking route is named after the nickname of the inhabitants of the pilgrimage site of Dadizele. The route passes through fields, chapels and the castle park of Dadizele.
The Boerenkrijgwandelroute (7.8 kilometers) offers beautiful views of the Leie valley. Walking along this route you will pass special farms and through the Moeremaaibos.
Routes in detail
On the Visit West Flanders website – see the button below – you can view all the routes of the Ieperboog Oost walking network in detail. The website also shows where you can order a booklet with routes.
Do you prefer cycling to walking? Then make the crossing to Sweden. There you will find the Göta Kanalleden, the Cycling Route of the Year 2025.
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