A circular bike route from Nieuwpoort to Diksmuide along the Frontzate and back over the IJzer. We start at the lock complex De Ganzepoot in Nieuwpoort (Sluizen, 8620 Nieuwpoort, Belgium).

We ride briefly along the Plassendale-Nieuwpoort-Dunkirk canal to the old railway bridge. Here we take the car-free Frontzateroute. The bike path runs from Nieuwpoort to Diksmuide, is 14 km long, and is located on the former railway line No. 74 (a branch of the Gent-De Panne line, i.e. from Diksmuide to Nieuwpoort).
On the right is the provincial domain Koolhofput. The nature reserve with fishing pond was excavated for sand extraction during the construction of the E40 motorway.
The Frontzate contains numerous (restored) war relics: remnants of bunkers, accommodations, observation positions, and artillery positions. Near Ramskapelle is a Belgian military cemetery. This is understandable, as the Belgian front was located here during World War I. Our soldiers defended the Nieuwpoort - Diksmuide - Steenstrate zone. The IJzer played an important role. The area between the elevated railway embankment we are cycling on and the left bank of the IJzer was successfully flooded during World War I to stop the German advance.
The Frontzate ends at the IJzer, very close to the IJzertower. The IJzertower, the Paxpoort, and the IJzercrypte are all symbols of the Flemish struggle. New on the banks of the IJzer is the IJzer orchard. It is a small provincial domain with an adventurous playground and petting zoo.
We follow the left bank of the IJzer towards Nieuwpoort. On the other side is the city of Diksmuide, and the yacht harbor immediately catches the eye. After a few kilometers, we reach the Dodengang, the best-preserved trench complex of the Belgian front.
Over 1 km further, we choose the car-free bike path to Oud-Stuivekenskerke. Only the tower remains of the old church, which was reinforced into a bunker during 1914-1918. We continue our course towards Stuivekenskerke, and along the Viconiakleiputten, a beautiful nature reserve, we reach the IJzer again. We cross the Tervate bridge and ride over the Schoorbakkehoeve to the Schoorbakkebrücke. Now we follow the right bank to the Uniebrug.
For the last section, we take the left bank again, and after 22 km we return to Nieuwpoort via the retention basin.

Route guidance Cycling - Nodes