W W 1 BATTL E F I E L D T RE K
BELGIUM
• TREK
• CHALLENGING
ABOUT THE CHALLENGE
The area around Ypres was immensely significant during the First World War, and saw devastating action. The fields and
villages around the town are scattered with memorials, cemeteries and preserved trenches.
This poignant and challenging trek offers a unique perspective as we walk between the prominent battle-sites of the
Ypres Salient, often tracing the line of the Western Front itself. There are beautiful views over the now-tranquil
countryside, but as we walk along hill-ridges and small country lanes, through muddy fields and woodland, it is all-tooeasy to imagine events of the past.
This is a poignant experience as well as a physical challenge – a memorable and meaningful way to test your limits.
WW1 BATTLEFIELD TREK • 5 DAYS
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WW1 BATTLEFIELD TREK
Day 1: London – Lille – Ypres
We meet in London and board the Eurostar to Lille in France, then transfer (approx. 45 mins) to Ypres. After time to
explore, we attend the evening Last Post ceremony at Menin Gate – a wonderful way to start our trekking experience.
Night hotel.
(Lunch not included)
Day 2: Langemark & St Julien
After an early breakfast we set off! We head roughly north out of Ypres on a pleasant walk alongside the Yser Canal. After
a few kilometres, we come to the site of a Medical Station established in 1915; Essex Farm Cemetery is nearby. It is
commonly believed that this was where Major John Macrae wrote his poem In Flanders Fields. We continue north
towards Pilkem Ridge, where the front line was at this time, and then on to Langemark, scene of fighting in the First
Battle of Ypres in 1914. We visit the German Cemetery here before turning south and heading for St Julien – where some
of the first poison gas attacks on the Western Front took place in the Second Battle of Ypres (1915). We pay our respects
at memorials en-route, and walk through fields and farmland, passing small villages, back to Ypres. Night hotel.
Trek approx. 6-8 hours
Day 3: Passchendaele & Tyne Cot
Today we take in more sites from the Second Battle of Ypres, walking from Ypres to Hill 60, strategically-important higher
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ground which changed hands several times. The land here has not been disturbed because of the extensive mining and
tunnelling which took place, and is essentially a mass grave for both Allied and German soldiers. We then walk to Hill
62-Sanctuary Wood, where we can visit the war cemetery and Canadian memorial. A small museum and preserved
British trenches can also be seen here. We continue walking north, towards battle-sites of 1917, including Polygon Wood,
Broodseinde Ridge and on to Tyne Cot Cemetery – the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the world. Our day ends
with a visit of the excellent Passchendaele Museum, before transferring back to Ypres. Night hotel.
Trek approx. 7-9 hours
Day 4: Kemmelberg & Messines Ridge
We transfer a few miles south to Kemmelberg, a 156m-high hill fought over in 1918 during the Fourth Battle of Ypres. We
then walk west towards Messines Ridge, important higher ground south of Ypres. This ridge, and the area around it, saw
action throughout the Great War but its most important battle was the Battle of Messines in 1917. From here we move on
to Messines British Cemetery, where there is also a New Zealand memorial. We walk north, back to Ypres, passing
through peaceful fields, woodland and villages. The scenery is beautiful, but we cannot help but think back to events 100
years ago, and this will no doubt help us to cope with any aching legs or sore feet caused by our three long days of
walking! Back at our hotel, we meet again for dinner to celebrate our achievements.
(Dinner not included)
Trek approx. 7 - 8 hours
Day 5: Ypres – Lille – London
Transfer back to Lille and travel by Eurostar to London.
(Lunch not included)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
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All transport from London to Ypres return (by Eurostar and coach)
All meals except where specified, and accommodation
Discover Adventure leaders & drivers
Vehicle support and back-up equipment
Entry to any sites included in itinerary
WHAT'S EXCLUDED
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Three meals as specified in the itinerary
Travel insurance
Personal spending money, souvenirs & drinks
Fees for any optional sites, attractions or activities
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WW1 BATTLEFIELD TREK
• Any applicable surcharges as per Terms and Conditions
CHALLENGE INFORMATION
DETAILED INFORMATION
• Roomshare Arrangements
Accommodation is usually on a twin-share basis in hotels or camp. Occasionally we may use hostelstyle accommodation. Please tell us if you know somebody else on the trip that you would like to
share with and we will try our best to accommodate your request. If you don't know anyone else in
the group don't worry, we always pair you up with someone of the same gender, and a similar age
where possible. We do not charge a single supplement if you are a solo traveller.
• Accommodation
Accommodation is usually in well-located, comfortable 2-3* hotel(s); standards are generally very
good though there may be some variation.
• Food & Dietary Requirements
The food provided is plentiful, often local in style and freshly-cooked, and will give you plenty of
energy. Sometimes we enjoy a buffet-style lunch-stop, other times we might have packed lunches.
On some trips we stop at small local restaurants. Dinners are generally eaten in camp or at the
hotel, depending on accommodation. In some regions there may be less variety than you are used to,
and in others fresh meat or produce can be harder to come by. Any meals not included are listed in
the itinerary and are generally on travel / free days, giving you the opportunity to explore and try
other culinary experiences! There is always something to suit different budgets.
Being vegetarian or having other dietary requirements is not usually a problem provided you let us
know well in advance. Please do not expect as much variety as you would have access to at home –
we may be in very rural or remote areas and among people of a different culture who may not
understand your requirements, however willing they are to help. If you know there are plenty of foods
you cannot eat we strongly recommend you bring extra snacks from home so you can top up your
energy supply. Please feel free to ask us for advice.
• Leaders & Trip Support
Your trip will be led by experienced Discover Adventure leaders and support crew. Our leaders are
selected for their knowledge and experience, friendliness and approachability, sense of humour and
ability to safely and effectively deal with any situation that arises; they are also trained in first aid. You
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WW1 BATTLEFIELD TREK
are in very safe hands with a Discover Adventure leader. The crew will have mobile phones and/or
radios where appropriate, medical kit and other safety apparatus where necessary, as well as vehicle
support.
• Luggage
Your main luggage will remain at our accommodation (camp, hostel or hotel as appropriate) and you
will not have access to it until the end of each day. You should carry a small daypack for items
needed during the day.
• Trip Safety
Your safety, and that of the rest of the group, is our highest priority. Our trips are designed and
planned with safety in mind. Your crew will be equipped with communication devices (eg phones,
radios and/or emergency satellite phones), medical kit and other safety apparatus appropriate to the
destination. Our leaders always have access to our 24-hour emergency UK back-up. They are
responsible for safety on the trip, and will make any changes to the itinerary they deem necessary,
should local conditions dictate. Pre-trip administration - such as medical questionnaires and travel
insurance as appropriate - is all done with your safety in mind.
PREPARING FOR THE CHALLENGE
• Clothing
We plan our trips around the optimal weather conditions, but could still be exposed to bad weather at
any time. It is vital you are prepared for all conditions. We provide you with a detailed packing kit-list
on registration, as well as details on useful discounts you are entitled to as a Discover Adventure
customer. We are always available if you need advice.
• Fitness Levels
This is designed to be a challenge, and it is vital that you train sufficiently for it. We will supply you
with a thorough training guide once you have registered. We expect all participants to train hard in
advance, but we respect everyone’s limits and do not expect everyone to maintain the same pace.
Inadequate training is likely to have an impact not just on your chances of completing the challenge,
but enjoying it too - and we want you to have the time of your life!
Our challenges attract people of all levels of experience and fitness, all ages and backgrounds. We
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design our challenges so that everyone can go at their own pace: this is not a race. For logistical and
safety reasons we sometimes need to re-group, so the front-runners may find themselves waiting for
the slower ones. Please relax, and remember that this is a team effort that enables people to achieve
their personal goals and earn sponsorship.
• Passport & Visa / Vaccinations
Entry requirements vary depending on your destination and nationality. It is your responsibility to
ensure your passport is up-to-date and any visas are obtained in good time. For further information
please see our Factsheet and Visa information page.
Your routine UK schedule of vaccinations should be up-to-date (especially tetanus). We recommend
you check Fit For Travel for further details. You should always check with a GP or travel clinic for upto-date travel health advice as it does change.
TREK TRAINING WEEKEND
£160 Special Offer - Only when you book at the same time as registering for your main challenge
Discover Adventure Trek Training Weekends take place in Snowdonia National Park, Wales. This training weekend is
designed to put you through your paces to enable you to gauge fitness levels and gain advice from our experienced
leaders.
GRADE | CHALLENGING (1)
Trip grades range from Challenging (1) to Extreme (5).
CHALLENGING trips involve full days of activity, and are designed to be challenging for those of good health and fitness,
but are achievable for most people with a commitment to training and a can-do attitude.
Discover Adventure reserves the right to change the route or itinerary for safety reasons should local conditions dictate.
Please note: This document was downloaded on 15 Jun 2017, and the challenge is subject to change.
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Tel: +44 (0) 1722 718444