For the 'Bike and Hike of the Month', a project of the Rural Guilds (www.landelijkegilden.be), which started in January 2018, we will take you into the deepest Westhoek. We will hike near Diksmuide, which was located on the front line between 1914 and 1918. The entire region was devastated back then. Today, many seek peace and relaxation here in the protected nature reserves such as the Viconiakleiputten or simply in the open landscape along the many rural roads.
The starting point of our 12.5 km hike is in Pervijze, a village with a rich history of breweries and two medieval lordships, but of course also with many references to the First World War, which caused terrible damage here. The Frontzate, an old railway line that connects Nieuwpoort with Diksmuide, is such an important witness of war. Among other things, it served as a buffer for the waters of the IJzer when the entire area between the IJzer and the railway embankment was flooded.
Stuivekenskerke is the second village you will get to know during the hike. It is a charming polder village, where the Viconiahoeve and the 30 ha nature reserve of the Viconiakleiputten have played a prominent role in the past and are still quite well-known.