Routes

Route planner

Features

Product updates

Get the App

Discover

Places to see

Belgium

Flanders

West Flanders

Veurne

Nieuwpoort

Machine gun post Villa Bertha

Discover

Places to see

Belgium

Flanders

West Flanders

Veurne

Nieuwpoort

Machine gun post Villa Bertha

Recommended by 33 cyclists out of 34

Save

Location: Nieuwpoort, Veurne, West Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

Save

See rides here

Take Me There

Routes here

Top cycling routes to Machine gun post Villa Bertha

4.6

(40)

448

riders

1. Frontzate path through the greenery – Koolhofput Nature Reserve loop from Westende

40.1km

02:22

40m

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

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Intermediate

4.8

(27)

149

riders

2. Frontzate Railway Path – Leaning Tower of Pervijze loop from Nieuwpoort

56.7km

03:24

60m

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

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Intermediate

4.5

(29)

171

riders

3. Yser Estuary at Nieuwpoort – Grote Markt Veurne loop from Westende

56.9km

03:31

80m

Expert bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Expert

Tips

Willem VS

June 10, 2025

The machine gun post “Villa Bertha” is a Belgian military construction from the First World War, located along the former railway bed between Nieuwpoort and Diksmuide—the so-called Frontzate. This railway line, line 74, played a crucial role as a defense line after the flooding of the IJzervlakte in 1914. The machine gun post was located in the railway embankment near Ramskapelle, approximately 150 meters from the current A18 bridge.

According to local tradition, the post was nicknamed “Villa Bertha”. The construction was part of a network of brick and concrete shelters, kitchens, medical stations and footbridges that the Belgian troops used to hold out in the swampy no man’s land. The opening in the roof of Villa Bertha is said to be the result of a post-war attempt to recover iron.

Translated by Google •

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

Details

Informations

Elevation 50 m

Weather

Today

Monday 22 September

15°C

11°C

10 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 17.0 km/h

See rides here

Take Me There

Location: Nieuwpoort, Veurne, West Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

Machine gun post Villa Bertha

1. Frontzate path through the greenery – Koolhofput Nature Reserve loop from Westende

2. Frontzate Railway Path – Leaning Tower of Pervijze loop from Nieuwpoort

3. Yser Estuary at Nieuwpoort – Grote Markt Veurne loop from Westende

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️