Zillebeke

The Ieperboog in the southeast encompasses a range of hills 40 to 60 m high. The majority is forested, like the Molenbos, the Vierlingen, and the Gasthuisbossen. At the Palingbeek, you can see the remnants of a failed attempt to connect Ypres to the Leie via a canal. You start the walk at the romantic Zillebekevijver, beneath the towers of Ypres. The hills you stroll over belonged to the Canadian sector of the 'Salient of Ypres'. There, they gave the hills names corresponding to their height above sea level. This will be a beautiful and varied walk in an area where fierce fighting took place from 1914 to 1918.
DEPARTURE LOCATION
You reach the Zillebekevijver restaurant by leaving the A19 Kortrijk-Ieper at exit 4 - Ieper-Centre and taking the N37 towards Heuvelland. After 3 km at the large roundabout, take the N37 (third exit on the right) towards Heuvelland. After two roundabouts, turn left onto the N336 towards Lille. Just before the railway crossing, turn left towards Zillebeke. After 1 km, take the exit to the Zillebekevijver restaurant.
PARKING
Beyond the restaurant.
TYPE OF ROAD
Low traffic asphalt and concrete roads; many grass and gravel paths; stairs in the Palingbeek estate; grass paths in the Vierwinden; meadows and forest paths in the Gasthuisbossen.
ACCESSIBILITY
Impossible for strollers and wheelchairs; muddy after rainfalls; several times you will need to leash your dog.
INFORMATION
Tourist office Ypres: Grote Markt 34, 8900 Ypres, Tel. 057 22 85 84, Fax 057 22 85 89, toerisme@ieper.be, www.ieper.be.
EATING & DRINKING
-Restaurant Zillebekevijver: Zillebekevijverdreef 2, 8902 Ypres-Zillebeke, Tel. 057 20 00 86, Mon.-Tue. closed, July-Aug. only Mon. closed.
-Restaurant De Palingbeek (in the provincial domain): Tel. 057 20 56 72
-Café-Museum Hill 60: Zwarteleenstraat 40, 8902 Ypres-Zillebeke, Tel. 057 20 62 76, open 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM, sometimes closed Mon.
- Sint-Elooishoeve: Vaartstraat 18, 8902 Ypres-Voormezele, Tel. 057 20 10 61, July-Aug. Mon.-Tue. closed, rest of the year only open Friday evening-Sun.