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Belgium

Flanders

West Flanders

Ieper

Zonnebeke

Polygon Wood - Lange Dreve

Discover

Places to see

Belgium

Flanders

West Flanders

Ieper

Zonnebeke

Polygon Wood - Lange Dreve

Recommended by 128 cyclists out of 131

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

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Top cycling routes to Polygon Wood - Lange Dreve

4.5

(56)

468

riders

1. Peace Route

45.2km

02:37

160m

Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

4.6

(17)

154

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2. Oude Leie – Polygon Wood - Lange Dreve loop from Menen

57.2km

03:22

240m

Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

4.7

(24)

174

riders

3. Hill 60 Memorial – Zillebeke Pond loop from Ieper

30.8km

01:54

150m

Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

Tips

Klaske Schep

February 20, 2024

A beautiful old forest and an important resting and breeding ground for birds of prey in the region. Wonderful to cycle through.

Translated by Google •

Willem VS

May 8, 2025

The Polygon Forest, also known as Polygon Wood, is a historically and ecologically valuable forest area in Zonnebeke. The forest is located on the Central West Flemish ridge and is an important breeding ground for birds of prey such as sparrowhawks, kestrels and buzzards.

The Polygon Forest also houses important war memorials, including the Buttes New British Cemetery and the smaller Polygon Wood Cemetery. These cemeteries are a tribute to the soldiers who died during the First World War.

An interesting anecdote concerns the Scott Post and the New Zealand Bunkers, which can still be found in the forest. These bunkers were built by the Germans and later occupied by the Australian divisions in 1917.

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🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

August 23, 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. Hidden deep in the greenery you will even discover the remains of some bunkers: Scott Post and New Zealand Bunkers

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Elevation 50 m

Weather

Today

Saturday 20 September

22°C

14°C

100 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 13.0 km/h

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

Polygon Wood - Lange Dreve

1. Peace Route

2. Oude Leie – Polygon Wood - Lange Dreve loop from Menen

3. Hill 60 Memorial – Zillebeke Pond loop from Ieper

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