Hey,
I am a college student and I got a grant to do some research on WWI and 2 battlefield memorials. I will be heading over to Europe in June, and don't know much about the territory. In particular, I am concerned because I will be on foot. However, I am highly athletic and love to hike. Is it feasible to hike around Ypres or the Somme etc? I am just trying to get to the major monuments. How much time is needed to visit say, the Somme battlefield?
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
No, it really isn't possible to walk around the Ypres Salient. The area is too large. See the other post on this subject.
Posted by
Phoenix, AZ, USA
1035 posts
While it is a large area to hike around it is ideal to bike. Flanders is pretty darn flat and bikes are very popular.
I took the afternoon Salient tour out of Ieper in the fall.
The guy who gave the tour, also offers bike tours of militarily significant areas throught the entire region.
The tour company is run by a real nice Canuck. If you email him, I am sure he can share the details.
If you go, stay around for Last Post at the Menin Gate. It is very moving.
Posted by
Adelaide, SA, Australia
977 posts
We have booked a day tour of the Somme battlefields, which includes, Villers Bretonneux, Ypres, Pozier, Bulleycourt and several other sites. It is not a walking tour. It departs from Arras. For further information go to www.westernfronttours.com.au