summer search 2026 KW Houthulst

60 - 13 - 10 - 25 - 44 - 8 - 61 - 19 - 80 - 45 - 27 - 21 - 84 - 28 - 5 - 63 - 93 - 86 - 55 - 17 - 53 - 54 - 20 - 79 - 1 - 4 - 60

There is plenty of free parking at the Markt to start this very nice ride put together by KW Roeselare. We did not drive to the starting point junction (KP) 60 but directly to KP 13.

Through rural roads and beautiful nature, we drive towards Klerken. A first stop you definitely should make is the Vredesmolen. Secure your bike and take the time to go up: what a view, on a nice day you can see the apartments along the coastline. Also, take the time to read the information boards, there is a lot of interesting information on them.
From there we go further to De Blankaart and along the reservoir to the Knokkebrug over the IJzer. You will need to 'gravel' here, but it is well passable for an electric bike, perhaps somewhat less for a racing bike due to the stony surface here and there. By the way, at the Knokkebrug there is a beautiful spot for a picnic.
Along the Ieperlee then towards Merkem where you can make a stop if necessary at 'De Boot' (www.deboot.be). In good weather, you can enjoy beautiful nature along the water and see various water birds performing their most beautiful antics.

Through the beautiful villages of Merkem and Jonkershove we continue to the Bos van Houthulst. You follow a stretch of Poelkapellestraat, but the bike path is separated from the roadway and is therefore 'safe'.
Before heading into the forest, ride a little further and visit the military cemetery. It was established after World War I and is on UNESCO's World Heritage List. There are 1804 graves, including soldiers from Italy. For all info: https://www.houthulst.be/belgische-militaire-begraafplaats.

Enjoy the silence and coolness in the forest on warm days. When you drive out of the forest to the left onto Eugène de Grootelaan, turn immediately right and drive to the Lourdes grotto. We had never been there either and were impressed by how large it is, a small pilgrimage site actually. Take a seat on the benches of the well-maintained area and perhaps say a short prayer. Maybe to remember someone, to give thanks for the beautiful weather or a trouble-free ride, ...

In the meantime, you have passed KP 60 in the forest where the ride actually begins/ends. From there back to the car to enjoy this beautiful trip a little longer.