The Western Front Route
The full itinerary for the Western Front route is below.
The top three fundraisers will have the opportunity to be part of the ABF Frontline Walk team to lay a wreath at the Menin Gate, a once in a lifetime chance to take part in the emotional final salute to the fallen.
Itinerary
Day 1: London - Arras
We meet at Wellington Barracks, London, just as thousands of soldiers did between 1914 and 1918. We will travel by coach to Arras, France.
Day 2: Lochnagar Crater – Thiepval – Beaumont Hamel
We set off at dawn from the Lochnagar Crater, passing the stunning 38th Welsh Division Memorial. After a short break and historical talk at Flatiron Copse Cemetery we push on to Thiepval Memorial to the Missing and lunch.
After lunch we pass the Ulster Tower and walk through the preserved trenches at Beaumont Hamel. Passing the crater at Hawthorne Ridge, the site of one of the most famous videos from WWI we continue through the French countryside passing Sheffield Memorial Park before finishing in the French village of Hébuterne.
Trek distance approx. 34km
Day 3: Neuville St Vaast – Mont St Eloi – Vimy Ridge
Today’s start line is Neuville St Vaast German Military Cemetery – which contains the remains of over 44,000 German casualties. We follow the French country lanes past La Targette memorial, Ecoivres Military Cemetery before tackling the first major hill of the trip to Mont St Eloi. The route then continues uphill to Notre Dame de Lorette and the stunning ring of remembrance, where we break for lunch. We finish by passing through the trenches at Vimy, before finishing at the Canadian Monument at Vimy Ridge.
Trek distance approx. 35km
Day 4: Vancouver Corner– Tyne Cot – Ypres
Today we enter Belgium. Starting at St Julien Canadian Memorial at Vancouver Corner, we stop at Poelcapelle Cemetery before heading on to Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth War Cemetery in the world and breaking for lunch just outside of Zonnebeke.
After lunch the route goes through Polygon Wood, taking in Buttes New British Cemetery and the preserved bunkers before passing Black Watch Corner before regrouping outside of Ypres for the final march to the Menin Gate.
Trek distance approx. 31km
Day 5: Ypres – London
We leave Ypres to drive back to London, aiming to arrive in late afternoon (traffic dependent).
