The best running trails around Poperinge

Selfie with Ginger: in the picture with Eliane Cossey In the middle of the center of Poperinge stands a striking bronze lady: Eliane Cossey, better known as Ginger. Her fiery red hair earned her that nickname during World War I among the many soldiers who visited Poperinge. During the war, Eliane worked in her parents' inn, La Poupée, near the Grote Markt. For the British and other Allied soldiers, she was a familiar and cheerful face in a period that otherwise consisted mainly of fear, violence, and uncertainty. Her warmth and zest for life offered them a glimpse of ordinary life for a moment before they headed back to the front. Today, Ginger is once again in the midst of people. And she regularly gets an extra colorful coat: local residents occasionally decorate the statue with crocheted creations. A nice tradition that gives her a playful appearance. Tip: this is one you won't just cycle past! Put your bike aside, sit comfortably next to Ginger, and take your own selfie with this Poperinge legend.

From Belgian WWI rest zone to Trappist pickup point Today, cyclists and beer lovers come here to pick up their reserved crate of Westvleteren. More than a hundred years ago, this was a very different place. At the end of 1917, the area around St. Sixtus Abbey was set up as a Belgian rest zone. Soldiers could catch their breath here after their deployment at the front. Initially, the monks feared that the Belgian troops would cause nuisance, but that concern proved unfounded. The soldiers behaved exemplarily and helped the abbey where needed. A British officer described the place as an “oasis of rest and peace in the middle of the war desert.” Today, that peace still reigns here, only with a very different mission: no soldiers resting, but cyclists picking up their crate of Blond, 8 or 12. 🍺 Tip: picking up your Westvleteren here? Then take a look at the information board. You are standing in a place where war history and Trappist beer come together beautifully today.

In de Vrede: the ultimate trappist stop After kilometers of cycling through the Westhoek, In de Vrede, right opposite the Saint-Sixtus Abbey of Westvleteren, is a wonderful place to rest your legs. Here you can taste the famous Westvleteren trappists – Blond, 8, and 12 – directly from the abbey. A great reward after a hearty bike ride! And while you enjoy the peace on the terrace, your bike can also catch its breath. Charging points are available for electric bikes. You with your coffee or trappist, your e-bike with power: everyone continues with fully charged batteries. 😉 Beer, cheese, and more delicacies Those who stop here can, of course, hardly ignore the combination of beer and abbey cheese. The characterful Saint-Sixtus abbey cheese is a great partner for the Westvleteren. You can also discover trappist pâté and beer ice cream here, among other things. Prefer non-alcoholic? Then the choice is a bit more limited: Westvleteren is not offered non-alcoholic here. Fortunately, there are also coffee and soft drinks for those who still have miles to go or are simply the designated driver. Fancy a look inside? Before you hop back on your bike, it's worth popping into the abbey shop. With a bit of luck, you'll find Westvleteren and other abbey products to take home. Tip: feel free to schedule some extra time here. Because at In de Vrede, it's not just the bike that comes to a standstill... the pace of the day can also slow down a notch here. 🍺🚲

St. Sixtus Abbey & In de Vrede: Trappist beer with a touch of mystery 🍻 A bike tour through the Westhoek is not complete without a stop at the St. Sixtus Abbey of Westvleteren. The brewery itself remains closed to visitors, but the abbey walls and the information center Het Claustrum offer a beautiful glimpse into the lives of the monks and the rich history of this special place. Right next to the abbey, you'll find In de Vrede, the meeting center where you can enjoy a Westvleteren Blond, 8, or 12, accompanied by a snack on the terrace. In the abbey shop, depending on availability, you can also purchase Trappist beer and official glasses. A delightful stop where tranquility, history, and an authentic West Flemish beer moment come together!

Cycling through the hop cathedrals 🍺🌿 The Sint-Sixtusstraat near Westvleteren is a delightfully quiet cycle path that takes you right through the typical landscape of the Poperinge hop region. On either side, meter-high wooden poles and wires rise up, making you feel like you are in an open-air cathedral of hops. During the growing season, the hop bines twist ever higher, forming an impressive green backdrop. Even after the harvest, the tall poles and wires remain a special and photogenic landscape. And of course, you'll be cycling here close to the Sint-Sixtus Abbey of Westvleteren, in the middle of a region where hops and beer have been linked for centuries. Pedal gently on, look up, and enjoy one of the most typical landscapes of the Westhoek!

Nice Statue of Eliane Cossey (Poperinge, 9 December 1902 – London, 1942), known by the nickname Ginger, was a striking red-haired precocious child in the Belgian town of Poperinge during the First World War. The café "A la Poupée", an unpronounceable name for English speakers, on the main square grew under the name "Ginger's" into one of the most famous taverns behind "The Ypres Salient". The appeal of the young diva can be read in various diary excerpts and in the Visitors Book with compliments and drawings. Ginger krijgt eigen standbeeld https://www.hln.be/.../ginger-krijgt-eigen-standbeeld.../

During WW1 this is where soldiers condemned to execution were shot. There are detention cells here as well as the location of the post. Chilling but also a must see if you’re in this area and interested in military history.

In the town hall courtyard, an execution post commemorates the atrocities that took place here during World War I. At least eight soldiers faced the firing squad here. From 1916 onwards, the adjacent police cells were converted into "death cells," where the condemned soldiers spent their last night. At dawn, these soldiers were executed here (shot at dawn). To enhance the experience even further, text panels and a soundtrack explain the "shot at dawn" phenomenon. You can also visit the site with a guide. More information via toerisme@poperinge.be.