Cycling through history: Diksmuide and the Yser

The starting point of your route is Diksmuide with its historic center. Before or after your route, be sure to walk over the market with its Manneke from de Mane past the Town Hall, the Begijnhof, the Vismarkt, the Sint-Niklaaskerk, the Kleine and Grote Dijk, the old Bloemmolens and the Portus Dixmuda marina. Diksmuide has an illustrious past, on which the First World War has left its mark. In the Yser Tower, which you quickly cycle past at the start of the tour, the front comes to life again with original material such as uniforms and weapons, placed in lifelike decors. The river Yser, which you follow for a long way here, will ring a bell with many people. After all, this was where the Belgian army retreated in 1914 in a last attempt to repel the German attack. It's hard not to be impressed by this history. While cycling through the beautiful surrounding landscape with its endless views, you slowly come back to yourself. The charming village centers, ancient farms and protected nature reserves invite you for a wonderful discovery tour. Further along the Yser, at 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 conveniences every year! Only at the hamlet of Fintele do you bend away from the Yser. It is located exactly where the Lovaart and the Yser meet, at the lock and spillway. The Grote Beverdijkvaart also ends here. Also take a look at the old metal bridge over the Yser and an old wooden, removable bridge, called De Hooipiete, that was placed over the Yser every year so that the farmers could reach their moist lands. 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 bicycle-friendly place to grab a bite to eat or drink. The serene tranquility and the unique 18th century Pigeon Tower have remained of the Augustinian fathers - and the paradisiacal 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 should taste those delicious, artisanal brews in the authentic Brouwershof before you continue cycling to Diksmuide.