Cycling through history: Diksmuide and the Yser

The starting point of your route is Diksmuide with its historic centre. Before or after your route, be sure to walk over the market with its Manneke uit de Mane along the Town Hall, the Beguinage, the Fish Market, the St Nicholas Church, the Kleine and Grote Dijk, the old Bloemmolens and the marina Portus Dixmuda. Diksmuide has an illustrious past, where the First World War also left its mark. In the IJzertoren, which you quickly cycle past at the start of the tour, the front comes back to life with original material such as uniforms and weapons, placed in lifelike settings. The river IJzer, which you follow for a long time here, will ring a bell with many people. After all, this was where the Belgian army retreated in 1914 in a final attempt to repel the German attack. It is difficult not to be impressed by this history. Cycling through the beautiful surrounding landscape with its endless views, you slowly come to yourself again. The charming village centres, centuries-old farms and protected nature reserves invite you on a wonderful discovery tour. Further along the IJzer, near Nieuwkapelle, you will see a windmill and another one further on. The windmills were purchased by local families, from a cooperative that converts the wind into energy in more and more places here in the Westhoek. Fun fact: these windmills provide enough energy to provide at least 1150 families with all the comforts every year! You only turn off the IJzer at the hamlet of Fintele. It is located exactly where the Lovaart and the IJzer meet, at the lock and spillway. The Grote Beverdijkvaart also ends here. Also take a look at the old metal bridge over the IJzer and an old wooden, removable bridge, called De Hooipiete, which was laid over the IJzer every year so that farmers could reach their wet fields. A special place and not for nothing a protected village view! You then follow the Lovaart to the old town of Lo, where De Oude Abdij is a beautiful and cycle-friendly place to have a bite to eat or a drink. The serene tranquility and the unique 18th century Pigeon Tower have remained from the Augustinian fathers - and the heavenly surroundings, complete with orchard and fish pond. History is all around you here - also in the Mout- & Brouwhuis de Snoek, a little further along the route. Here you will find a complete, authentic brewery and malt house from the 19th century, an exceptional piece of industrial heritage. And of course you must taste those delicious, artisanal brews in the authentic Brouwershof before you cycle on to Diksmuide.