Drie Grachten Walking Route

The walk starts in Merkem, which remained in the front zone for four years during the First World War. A memorial near the starting point recalls the Battle of Merkem.

The fighting of 17 April 1918 is central to this history. During the German Spring Offensive, German troops attempted to break through the Belgian lines near Merkem. The Belgians were initially pushed back in several places, but later that day a counterattack recovered the lost positions.

Just over four hundred servicemen were killed during the battle and many others were wounded. The village was almost completely destroyed during the war. That is difficult to imagine today while walking through the quiet, open farmland.

From the start, the route passes the de Coninck de Merckem castle estate. In late October 1914, German troops established an observation post in the park. From there, they could monitor the positions at Drie Grachten and the Belgian outposts towards Noordschote.

Several concrete structures were also built in and around the estate during the war. These included shelters and medical posts. The original castle and park were destroyed before being rebuilt after the war.

The route then follows the castle moat towards a small footbridge. I preferred this section in the past. The path has been resurfaced with small stones, and after only a few metres my low walking shoes were already full of them. From there, the route continues along paved roads between the fields.

Farther on, the walk reaches the Ypres-Yser Canal and follows the water towards Drie Grachten Bridge. Today it is a quiet area with a few benches. In the past, goods including coal, peat and sugar beet were transferred at the quay.

During the First World War, the site became especially important for military reasons. Flooding in 1914 made much of the surrounding land difficult to cross, while the raised route between Noordschote and Luigem remained usable. Drie Grachten therefore became a strategic outpost that was fought over several times.

This is also where the story of the Unknown Zouave took place. During the night of 11–12 November 1914, German troops launched a counterattack against the French outpost. They are said to have forced captured Zouaves ahead of them towards the French positions.

According to the story preserved after the war, one of the prisoners shouted: “Tirez donc au nom de Dieu, ce sont les Boches!” The French then opened fire. The prisoners and several German soldiers were killed, but the attack was stopped. A memorial plaque at Drie Grachten keeps the story of the Unknown Zouave alive.

After Drie Grachten, the route follows the Ypres-Yser Canal back for a short distance. A little farther on, you turn into Oostpoeselstraat and follow a quiet road between trees, ditches and fields towards Merkem.

If you still have time, St Bavo’s Church and the memorials on Merkemplein are also worth a look. The loop then returns to the starting point near the castle estate.