RoutesHiking trails & RoutesFlandersWest Flanders
Viconia Castle Farm – Viconia Clay Pits loop from Kaaskerke
RoutesHiking trails & RoutesFlandersWest Flanders
Viconia Castle Farm – Viconia Clay Pits loop from Kaaskerke
Moderate
4.3
(69)
329
hikers
Viconia Castle Farm – Viconia Clay Pits loop from Kaaskerke
02:07
8.39km
10m
Hiking
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Last updated: May 13, 2026
Waypoints
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1
39 m
petroleum tanks
Highlight • Historical Site
A remarkable anecdote about the kerosene tanks in Diksmuide dates back to the night of October 23-24, 1914, during the Battle of the Yser. The Germans crossed the Yser and captured, among other things, the De Toren farm and the kerosene tanks. To stop the German advance, the French marine fusiliers planned an attack on the tanks.
During this attack, the Germans set the kerosene tanks on fire, resulting in a dramatic situation: the burning kerosene burned the French soldiers alive. After the fire, one tank, though pierced with holes, remained upright, while the other tank was tilted. These tanks offered the Germans an excellent view of the Yser plain and allowed them to bring the Belgian positions under heavy fire.
During this attack, the Germans set the kerosene tanks on fire, resulting in a dramatic situation: the burning kerosene burned the French soldiers alive. After the fire, one tank, though pierced with holes, remained upright, while the other tank was tilted. These tanks offered the Germans an excellent view of the Yser plain and allowed them to bring the Belgian positions under heavy fire.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
2
3.83 km
Viconia Castle Farm
Highlight • Historical Site
The history of the farm goes back to the 12th century, when a sheepfold was built on higher ground between the salt marshes and mud flats of the Yser. In 1161 the cage was taken over by Premonstratensian abbey of Vicogne in France and expanded to 130 hectares. The pastures were later surrounded by dikes and ramparts making it an important center for sheep farming.
The area fell into disrepair during the Wars of Religion in the 16th and 17th centuries. In the 18th century there was a revival that lasted until 1794 when all church possessions became state property and were sold publicly. At that time, the whole of the parts sold consisted of: a monastery, a chapel, a house of the keeper, a farm with barns, a forge, a wagon workshop, houses for the staff, a windmill, sheep and horse stables, a sawmill, wood warehouses, bird cages and small livestock sheds, with a total area of 219 hectares.
The domain mainly came into the hands of the De Smet and De Grave families and around 1900 the area was parceled out. The castle and farm were then owned by the Vernier-Valentin family from Roubaix. Degrave leased it well then. He was also mayor of the municipality and had the new parish church built near the domain.
During the Battle of the Yser, the castle was taken by the German occupiers as an outpost in October 1914. The castle was completely destroyed during the war. After the war, it was rebuilt in 1925 under the direction of the architect Camille van Elslande.
The area fell into disrepair during the Wars of Religion in the 16th and 17th centuries. In the 18th century there was a revival that lasted until 1794 when all church possessions became state property and were sold publicly. At that time, the whole of the parts sold consisted of: a monastery, a chapel, a house of the keeper, a farm with barns, a forge, a wagon workshop, houses for the staff, a windmill, sheep and horse stables, a sawmill, wood warehouses, bird cages and small livestock sheds, with a total area of 219 hectares.
The domain mainly came into the hands of the De Smet and De Grave families and around 1900 the area was parceled out. The castle and farm were then owned by the Vernier-Valentin family from Roubaix. Degrave leased it well then. He was also mayor of the municipality and had the new parish church built near the domain.
During the Battle of the Yser, the castle was taken by the German occupiers as an outpost in October 1914. The castle was completely destroyed during the war. After the war, it was rebuilt in 1925 under the direction of the architect Camille van Elslande.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
3
4.06 km
Viconia Clay Pits
Highlight • Lake
The area was created by clay extraction from the Nieuwpoort brick factory. This created six shallow clay pits between 1945 and 1979 on an area of 22 hectares.
The area was recognized as a nature reserve in 1981 and transferred to the Flemish Region in 1995. Due to a land consolidation in 2001, the area was expanded by 8 ha.
The Viconiapad runs through the area, along which there is also a bird hide that offers an overview of the lake.
The area was recognized as a nature reserve in 1981 and transferred to the Flemish Region in 1995. Due to a land consolidation in 2001, the area was expanded by 8 ha.
The Viconiapad runs through the area, along which there is also a bird hide that offers an overview of the lake.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
4
6.34 km
Onze-Lieve-Vrouwehoekje Memorial Site
Highlight • Historical Site
THE WWI INFONDATION AREA at a GLANCE
1st Battle of the Yser:
On the night of October 22 to 23, 1914, Belgian officers set fire to the church so that the Germans could not use it as an observation post. The next day, however, the Germans pushed further and occupied several farms. However, the farm is completely destroyed. However, three days later the Germans managed to cross the Yser. The Belgian army cannot push them back, only bring them to a standstill.
During the night of October 30 to 31, the Yser plain was flooded by the Belgians, putting an end to the German advance.
On this site, a Belgian outpost bunker was built on the old ruins of a damaged farm in March 1915. This outpost bunker was very strategically located. It was more than 1km into the inundation area. This place was actually an island in the middle of the inundation area.
The island could only be reached via slippery footbridges.
The island was further expanded in 1917 with 2 accompanying concrete shelters (command post and 1st aid post), barbed wire, trenches and connecting trenches.
Today you can visit the fortified outpost bunker. On the roof you have an orientation table and a beautiful view of the polders. With some imagination you can go back 100 years in time. There is also an intact “Demarcation pole” next to the bunker with the inscription “Here the captor was stopped”. A memorial chapel has also been erected on this site.
Memorial columns and memorial stones have also been erected next to the chapel in honor of Belgian regiments that served here.
1st Battle of the Yser:
On the night of October 22 to 23, 1914, Belgian officers set fire to the church so that the Germans could not use it as an observation post. The next day, however, the Germans pushed further and occupied several farms. However, the farm is completely destroyed. However, three days later the Germans managed to cross the Yser. The Belgian army cannot push them back, only bring them to a standstill.
During the night of October 30 to 31, the Yser plain was flooded by the Belgians, putting an end to the German advance.
On this site, a Belgian outpost bunker was built on the old ruins of a damaged farm in March 1915. This outpost bunker was very strategically located. It was more than 1km into the inundation area. This place was actually an island in the middle of the inundation area.
The island could only be reached via slippery footbridges.
The island was further expanded in 1917 with 2 accompanying concrete shelters (command post and 1st aid post), barbed wire, trenches and connecting trenches.
Today you can visit the fortified outpost bunker. On the roof you have an orientation table and a beautiful view of the polders. With some imagination you can go back 100 years in time. There is also an intact “Demarcation pole” next to the bunker with the inscription “Here the captor was stopped”. A memorial chapel has also been erected on this site.
Memorial columns and memorial stones have also been erected next to the chapel in honor of Belgian regiments that served here.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
5
6.50 km
Onze-Lieve-Vrouwhoekje Memorial and Chapel
Highlight • Religious Site
Until 1870, the parish church of Stuivekenskerke stood in the hamlet of Oud-Stuivekens, now Onze-Lieve-Vrouwhoekje. During the First World War, Oud-Stuivekenskerke was an advanced position of the Belgian army. The old tower of the former parish church was used as a lookout post.
The Onze-Lieve-Vrouwhoekje consists of the chapel of Our Lady of Victory, the ruins of the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-ter Zege church tower, one demarcation pole, two memorial columns and 41 memorial stones for the regiments that participated in the Battle of the Yser of 18 until October 31, 1914.
The Onze-Lieve-Vrouwhoekje consists of the chapel of Our Lady of Victory, the ruins of the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-ter Zege church tower, one demarcation pole, two memorial columns and 41 memorial stones for the regiments that participated in the Battle of the Yser of 18 until October 31, 1914.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
B
8.39 km
End point
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
4.38 km
2.86 km
1.00 km
130 m
Surfaces
3.69 km
2.10 km
1.72 km
825 m
< 100 m
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Tuesday 7 July
26°C
16°C
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