Helleketelbos

Helleketelbos is a roughly 56-hectare woodland near Abele, a village that belongs to the municipality of Poperinge in the province of West Flanders, close to the border with France. It is one of the few surviving remnants of forest in the region with an early medieval origin, now protected as part of the Natura 2000 network and managed by the Flemish nature and forestry agency (Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos).

What does the forest look like?

Helleketelbos is a mixed deciduous woodland crossed by the small Bommelaarsbeek stream, which has carved out a distinct little valley through the trees. This damp, varied terrain supports a rich range of wildlife. Mammals recorded in and around the forest include weasels, polecats, stoats, foxes and roe deer. In the wetter hollows of the woodland, amphibians such as crested newts, smooth newts, and both brown and green frogs can be found. The forest also holds particular ecological value for its bats: it is home to the rare Bechstein's bat, a species strongly tied to old, undisturbed deciduous woodland — its presence is considered a marker of the forest's ecological quality.

A trace of an old farmstead

Within Helleketelbos stands a restored half-timbered cottage (vakwerkhuisje), the last remaining piece of a much larger half-timbered farmhouse known as Het Groot Gasthuisgoed, which once stood on this site. The building is a physical reminder of how this land was used before it became a protected woodland.

Why visit?

The forest is freely accessible year-round and crossed by marked walking trails that take visitors past both the Bommelaarsbeek valley and the historic half-timbered cottage. It suits anyone looking for a quiet walk away from crowds, nature watchers hoping to spot birds or amphibians in the wetter corners of the woodland, and travelers exploring the rural Westhoek region of West Flanders near the French border. Because Abele and Poperinge sit in a quiet, largely agricultural area, a visit to Helleketelbos pairs easily with exploring other small towns and countryside sights nearby.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Helleketelbos located? The forest lies in Abele, a village administratively part of the municipality of Poperinge, in the province of West Flanders, near Belgium's border with France.

How large is the woodland? The forest covers roughly 56 hectares.

Is the area protected? Yes, Helleketelbos is part of the Natura 2000 network of protected areas and is managed by the Flemish nature and forestry agency.

What animals can be seen here? The forest and its surroundings are home to weasels, polecats, stoats, foxes and roe deer, along with crested newts, smooth newts, and brown and green frogs in the damper areas. The rare Bechstein's bat has also been recorded here.

What is the cottage inside the forest? It is a restored half-timbered building, the sole remaining part of the former Het Groot Gasthuisgoed farmstead that once stood on the site.

Is there an entrance fee? No, Helleketelbos is freely open to visitors throughout the year.