Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Polygoonbos

Polygoonbos

Highlight • Forest

Polygoonbos

Name: Polygoonbos
Rating: 2

Recommended by 90 hikers

Save

Location: Zonnebeke, Ieper, West Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

Save

See hikes here

Take Me There

Routes here

Best Hikes to Polygoonbos

4.6

(55)

404

hikers

1. Peace Monument Sculpture – Polygon Wood Cemetery loop from Mexico

14.0km

03:36

70m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

4.4

(43)

292

hikers

2. Zillebekevijver – Polygon Wood Cemetery loop from Torrepoort

27.8km

07:09

130m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Hard

4.8

(30)

159

hikers

3. Polygoonbos – Polygon Wood Cemetery loop from Mexico

7.07km

01:48

20m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

Tips

🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

September 15, 2022

A former military shooting range becomes a battlefield.
The once beautiful forest has been replanted twice over the years. During the Great War it was transformed into a mud plain with only the Buttes rising above it. The Germans expanded this landscaped hill into a fortified place. The recapture of the Buttes was quite a challenge for the Australians at the end of September 1917, but it was successful. A front cemetery was constructed on this site during the German occupation. In the autumn of 1917 this place was shared with the British war dead. Now 1,422 fallen soldiers are buried there. The forest (... or the place where the forest stood was subsequently replanted). The second time the forest was cut down was during WWII. The trees were then used as beach obstacles (Rommel's asparagus poles) in the Atlantic Wall. After WWII the forest was replanted. Finally, in 1955, the German fallen were exhumed and transferred to a collective cemetery. One German soldier is still buried in this cemetery. Don't forget to visit the front cemetery across the street.
Still a very special place. Today you can still walk in the forest and think about the nonsense of war.
Parking is available within walking distance (100 m) from the site.

Translated by Google •

🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

September 15, 2022

Many human sacrifices to the Australian victory in 1917.
The Battle Memorial on top of the Buttes radiates the Australian victory over the many sacrifices made at this place. Enter these stairs with dignity. At the top of the Buttes you have a beautiful view of the cemetery.
Those who died here reconquered this artificial ridge with great courage and blood. A German stronghold lost out to a combative 5th Australian Division on September 26, 1917. Respect.
Out of respect, this year we also attended the Dawn Service on ANZAC – DAY April 25. An annual ceremony that is definitely worth attending.
Today you can still find several bunker remains in the forest. Silent witnesses of a crazy war.

Translated by Google •

Maciou

September 27, 2022

Main alley of Polygoonbos which is also accessible by bicycle.

Translated by Google •

Maciou

May 23, 2022

Polygoonbos main driveway which is also passable by bike.

Translated by Google •

Maciou

September 18, 2022

One of many beautiful trails in Polygoonbos.

Translated by Google •

Maciou

May 23, 2022

Magnificent secondary path of Polygoonbos.

Translated by Google •

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 100 m

Weather

Today

Sunday 16 November

10°C

4°C

0 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 9.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Zonnebeke, Ieper, West Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Polygon Wood Cemetery

Uitzicht Over Het Polygoonbos

Brothers in Arms Memorial

Buttes New British Cemetery and 5th Australian Division Memorial

Hill 62 Canadian Memorial

Heuvel 60 bewaarde Slagveld (Eerste Wereldoorlog)

Gasthuisbossen

Captain Clement Robertson VC Memorial

Canadian Passchendaele Memorial Garden

Ieper-Komen Canal

Wooden Sculpture

Sanctuary Wood Cemetery

Polygoonbos

1. Peace Monument Sculpture – Polygon Wood Cemetery loop from Mexico

2. Zillebekevijver – Polygon Wood Cemetery loop from Torrepoort

3. Polygoonbos – Polygon Wood Cemetery loop from Mexico

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️