Discover Hollebeke: Culture, Landscape and Paths in the Surrounding Area

Hollebeke is a rural settlement on a hillside, whose character is shaped by a west-east-running ridge and locally significant woodland complexes. The historic village centre developed on the edge of an extensive woodland area at a road junction. Anyone wishing to combine landscape, history and a variety of activities on a trip will find an interesting starting point here for planning their holiday.

Landscape and paths around Hollebeke

An important recreational hiking route runs along the former Ypres–Comines Canal and through the terrain cutting zone of Provinciaal Domein De Palingbeek. In the nearby Ieperboog hiking network, there is also a signposted Palingbeek hiking route with two lengths to choose from: 12.4 km or 7.9 km.

The surrounding area can also be explored thematically by bicycle. A guided cycling tour organised by Toerisme Ieper passes through Palingbeek, or via the Zuid and The Bluff starting point. For a different type of activity, Golfclub De Palingbeek offers group golf introductions with professional guidance, practical training sessions and a competition. The Start-2-Golf sessions last two hours and include a professional introduction on the driving range and putting green.

Pilgrimage and Church Art

Devotion to Mary in Hollebeke dates back to around 1300 or possibly even earlier. It gave rise to the pilgrimage of the three Marys, which connected Hollebeke with Linzele, Linselle in northern France, and Dadizele. An annual religious occasion is the novena in honour of Our Lady of the Nativity. It takes place from 8 to 16 September.

The Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Geboorte is at the centre of the local church history. The present church was built in 1922 according to plans by the architect M. Dujardin. Its basilica-style layout, crossing tower and three-aisled nave give the building a clearly recognisable architectural form. Around the church are small chapels with various stations in bas-relief. When planning your trip, this area can therefore be combined with an interest in religious history, architecture and traditional customs.

Traces of the First World War

The Hollebeke war memorial stands directly beside the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Geboorte church on Hollebeke-Dorp. Its dedications commemorate the heroes of Hollebeke, the fallen civilians of Hollebeke and the French fallen of 1914–1918. The memorial also contains an entry for 1940–1945. The individual inscriptions make it clear that the remembrance is directed towards different groups and periods.

Further historical traces can be found in the landscape. The old castle of Hollebeke was not rebuilt after its destruction in the First World War. The motte remains visible in the landscape near Kasteelhoek-Klijtgatstraat. The remains of Lock Lodge lie in a small wood beside the former Ypres–Comines Canal. Lock Lodge was built during the First World War on the never-completed Ypres–Comines Canal, east of Lock 6; the position was captured by Allied troops in September 1917 during the Third Battle of Flanders. A path from Kasteelhoekstraat west of the railway leads to the remains.

Further points of military-historical interest include a German military post on the railway embankment about 400 metres east of Hollebeke-Dorp, as well as two concrete military structures in a small wood beside the former Ypres–Comines Canal. These are located about 600 metres east of the church in Hollebeke, approximately 150 metres north-west of Kortewildestraat near house number 33, and west of the Vaart and the present-day spoorlijn Ieper-Komen.

Choose Hollebeke as a Place to Stay

A holiday apartment or holiday home in Hollebeke is particularly suitable for a trip planned around combining rural landscapes, historic sites and paths in the surrounding area. Komenseweg leads north to the N365 and to Ypres, and south via Houthem to Comines. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore consider whether your excursions will mainly head towards Ypres, the paths of De Palingbeek or Comines. For days focused on culture, the church, pilgrimage and war memorials are the main attractions; for active days, the signposted hiking routes, a guided cycling tour or the golf introduction are options.

More Destinations for Your Search

If you would like to expand your selection within the same search area, you can also view Zillebeke, Boezinge, Vlamertinge, Elverdinge and Voormezele.

To the higher-level travel overview: Ypres.