Kaaskerke: Yser Front, memorial sites and routes through the polder region

Kaaskerke combines a distinctive polder landscape with memorial sites from the First World War and well-marked walking routes. The village is part of the so-called Middelland van de Polderstreek, whose topsoil is characterised by marine sediments, mainly clay. The villagescape also tells a story: its built heritage is characterised by 1920s reconstruction architecture inspired by the local brick architecture. Kaaskerke is therefore particularly interesting when choosing a holiday apartment if you would like to include culture, landscape and walking routes in your travel plans.

Between reconstruction and remembrance

One of the visible landmarks in the village is the Sint-Bartholomeuskerk, which is a protected monument. The IJzertorencomplex, a large communal First World War memorial in Kaaskerke, offers a more comprehensive insight into the history of the Belgian front line. The European Peace Site “Aan de IJzer” comprises the Museum aan de IJzer, the Paxpoort, the IJzercrypte and the IJzertoren. The IJzertoren houses an interactive museum about war and peace spanning 22 floors.

The Dodengang is also one of the defining historical sites. It is a strategically significant trench system of the Belgian front line and was protected after the First World War as a testimony to trench warfare. A quieter memorial site is the Gedenkkapel voor Paul de Goussencourt. It was built in 1923 in memory of pilot Paul de Goussencourt, whose aircraft crashed at this location during the First World War. An approximately 100-metre-long unpaved path leads from Kapellestraat through the fields to the chapel.

Walking routes with historical connections

Anyone wishing to explore Kaaskerke on foot can include the IJzerfrontommetje circular route in their plans. It starts at the car park of the IJzertoren and leads past the Frontzate and the Stiltepad, the Museum aan de IJzer and the Dodengang. The circular route is 5 kilometres long, or 6 kilometres if you walk to the Dodengang and back. These two distances help you take the preferred route option into account before choosing your accommodation.

Between the Dodengang and the village of Kaaskerke, the Stiltepad follows an old communication trench known as “de loopgraaf van de hoop”. In the middle of the Stiltepad lies a ruin that is a remnant of Hoeve Sabbe. It was rebuilt after the First World War. In this way, the route connects landscape and remembrance without requiring you to view the historical sites solely from a museum perspective.

Nature experiences and family-friendly discoveries

The IJzerboomgaard complements the historical themes with quieter landscape experiences. It has an orchard with local fruit and walking paths. The site also features an adventurous nature playground. In ‘t Land van Vlierbos you will find a pick-your-own garden, a community garden, a children's farm and Café de IJzerboomgaard. These different places make it possible to create a varied outing: a historical visit can be followed by a walk, while younger travellers can make their own discoveries in the nature playground or at the children's farm.

Practical guidance for finding accommodation

For those travelling by car, free parking spaces are available at the IJzerboomgaard car park next to the Museum aan de IJzer grounds. When searching for a holiday apartment in Kaaskerke, you can therefore first consider whether the focus of your trip should be on the Yser Front, the IJzerfrontommetje, the memorial sites or the nature attractions.

More places for your travel plans: Nieuwkapelle.

To the main travel overview: Diksmuide.