The witness hills of the Heuvelland

Walk the central ridge of the Heuvelland with the Kemmelberg, Monteberg, Baneberg, and Rodeberg

Nature walk through the Heuvelland: Kemmel, Dranouter, and Loker
The beautiful region of Heuvelland in West Flanders offers an enchanting environment for hikers and nature lovers. Here is a mapped walking route that starts in the picturesque village of Kemmel, known for its breathtaking landscapes and historical significance. We ascend the majestic Kemmelberg, the highest mountain in West Flanders, twice to continue our journey to Dranouter and the Rodeberg, where we can enjoy a unique attraction.

We depart from Kemmel, immersing ourselves in the rustic charm of the village. Featured in the list of the 50 most beautiful villages in Flanders, this is our starting point at the foot of the Kemmelberg. A hill that proudly rises from the rolling landscape and rewards you with a panoramic view over the surrounding Heuvelland. As we explore the southern slope of the Kemmelberg, we experience the serenity of nature and the impressive beauty of this region.

After conquering the Kemmelberg, we descend to Dranouter, a picturesque village known for its annual folk festival. After exploring Dranouter, we continue our journey through nature reserves 'Eeuwenhout' and the Douvevallei, towards the Rodeberg. This hill is special due to its unique attraction - the only cable car in Flanders. This chairlift offers a beautiful view of the surrounding landscape as we effortlessly glide upwards over the vineyards. It's a great way to relax and enjoy the breathtaking panorama.

From the Rodeberg, we continue our way to Loker, an idyllic little village known for its rural charm. We proceed to the final stage of our walk, the Monteberg. This hill once again offers beautiful views and a chance to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. After admiring the landscape, we continue with the second climb to the top of the Kemmelberg, where we have the opportunity to take one last look at the spectacular surroundings.

After completing the descent, we return to the Warandepark of Kemmel, where we began our adventure. We can reminisce about a delightful and surprising walk through this rural and hilly Heuvelland.

Sights along the way:

- Heuvelland is a municipality in the Westhoek consisting of the villages of Dranouter, Kemmel, Loker, Nieuwkerke, Westouter, Wijtschate, Wulvergem, and De Klijte. The West Flemish Heuvelland can also refer to the hilly and rural region which until 2018 was still called 'West Flemish Hills'. Located on the border with French Flanders (France) between the Ijzer and the Leie, this region is well known to cycling enthusiasts due to the Flemish cycling classics that climb various hills in this area.

- Kemmel is a village at the foot of the Kemmelberg with the Saint-Laurent Church and is on the list of 50 most beautiful villages in Flanders. Although this is an agricultural village, tourism is also an important source of income. Since the end of the 19th century, residents from Northern France have come here to their holiday homes. After World War I, wartourism also grew, thanks to the numerous cemeteries you can find here: Godezonne Farm Cemetery, Irish House Cemetery, Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Kemmel Churchyard, Kemmel No.1 French Cemetery, Klein-Vierstraat British Cemetery, La Laiterie Military Cemetery, Lindenhoek Chalet Military Cemetery, Suffolk Cemetery. As of 2023, you can also engage in cycling and hiking tourism to enjoy the Heuvelland.

- Castle de Warande with the Warandepark is located in Kemmel. This castle was built in 1925 on the same site as the former castle, which was destroyed in 1918 during World War I. The current castle initially served as the country residence of the mayor of Kemmel - Jacques Bruneel de la Warande. After the merger of the municipality in 1977, this castle eventually became the town hall of the new merged municipality - Heuvelland from 1979 onward and was opened to the public.

- The Kemmelberg is a witness hill and, at a height of 154m, is the highest point in West Flanders. Evidence of habitation has been found on this high hill dating from the Old Stone Age to the Middle Ages. During World War I, heavy fighting occurred for this strategic location, causing the mountain to be completely shelled/bombed. Afterwards, deciduous trees were replanted, and it regained military purposes as a former command bunker during the Cold War - this bunker has since been transformed into a war museum.

- Dranouter or 'Dranoeter' is an agricultural village around the Saint John the Baptist Church in the municipality of Heuvelland and was completely destroyed during World War I. The village was rebuilt in a similar style, and the Dranoutre Military Cemetery with its 457 war graves continues to remind us of this. Dranouter is now known for its annual Folk Festival Dranouter.

- Eeuwenhout and Douvevallei are nature reserves in the valley of the Douvebeek. A small river that forms the border between Belgium and France and springs just over the border around the French Zwarteberg. After 20.6 km, this river flows into the Leie, particularly the upper reaches and this Douvevallei are of ecological importance due to its meandering course.

- Baneberg (140m) has its hilltop located between the Rodeberg and the Vidaigneberg near Loker. Near the top stands the Lijstermolen and the chairlift Cordoba, built in 1957, departs from there. The only cable car in Flanders connects the vineyards of Entre-Deux-Monts, the Baneberg with the Vidaigneberg. This chairlift appears in the series 'Eigen Kweek' and 'Reizen Waes - West Flanders'.

- The Rodeberg (138m) is a witness hill and is part of the Natura 2000 area 'West Flemish Heuvelland'. This hill is located in the village of Westouter and was part of the former recreation center Kosmos.

- Lijstermolen is a wooden windmill that has stood on the Rodeberg in Westouter since 1961. However, this post mill dates from 1801-1805 and was originally located at Lijsterhoek in Beernem, where the mill was active until 1947.

- Vacation domain Kosmos was built in 1934 as a relatively small youth hotel. Thanks to its good reputation and the only open-air swimming pool in the area, expansions followed in 1965, 1974, and 1992. Since 2002, the pool's license was revoked, and from 2004, the building was protected as a monument, preventing the owner from making any expansion plans, leading to its closure in 2005. It has since faced failed sales leading to arson, eventually becoming the property of the Flemish Government (VLM) in 2009. There is still demand to create an open-air swimming pool here again, even though the original has been dismantled for some time.

- Loker is a district of Heuvelland where since Roman times, a highway from Kassel to Kortrijk has existed. Loker was also inhabited then, evidenced by a rediscovered Roman cremation grave. Since 1072, 'Lokere' has been mentioned in writings and likely derives from a clear brook or enclosure. During World War I, Loker was completely destroyed. You can find the rebuilt Saint Peter's Church alongside the Loker Churchyard memorial; The Loker Hospice cemetery, Locre No.10 Cemetery & the grave of William Redmond serve as reminders of this terrible war. 

- The Monteberg is also referred to as 'The Little Kemmelberg' and is a hill near Dranouter with a summit of 115m. On the slope lies a vineyard of the same name, and like the Kemmelberg, Baneberg, and Rodeberg, the Monteberg is part of the central ridge of the Heuvelland.

- On the border of Kemmel and Loker lies the triangular French military mass grave - Ossuaire Kemmelberg is the largest French military cemetery in Belgium, with 5294 fallen soldiers from World War I, of which only 57 soldiers could be named.

- Monument Aux Soldats Français is a white war monument of 17m high on the Kemmelberg. It commemorates the battle of the Kemmelberg where more than 5000 French soldiers lost their lives. The monument is popularly referred to as 'Den Engel', but refers to the Greek winged goddess of victory - Nike - the Roman equivalent of Victoria.