The Comines Warneton 14-18 trail | Cycling trails in Wallonia

The Bike Welcome program features a wide range of sites to visit and quality lodgings in the area.

At the end of October 1914, a front line fixed the belligerent armies along 750 km, from the North Sea to the Swiss border.

The entity Comines-Warneton, which at the time, was at the very heart of the battle, kept its memorial heritage. This trail will take you to iconic locations, particularly rich in history: cemeteries, commemorative monuments and museums. The landscape proves surprisingly peaceful and poetic in comparison of this chaotic past.

The road leading to Ploegsteert, you will pass the place known as « Trêve de Noël » (Christmas truce). There, German and British troops shared a game of football the night of Christmas 1914. A headstone has recently been placed to mar the location. Footballs are often left at its side in memory of the event.

On the horizon stands the British Ploegsteert memorial with its circular temple and the Commonwealth war cemeteries. They pay tribute to the British soldiers and officers who died in the region. The names - 11,447 in total - of those who could not have a grave there are written on its walls. A moving stroll that is sure to touch your heart.

Good to know

Ask the Maison du Tourisme de la Wallonie picarde for information on their "Sleep with your bike" offers: stays including days out cycling, fantastic ways to relax and explore the region and lodgings participating in the Bikes Welcome program.

Practical information

Type of road

RAVel, tow paths, low traffic roads

Type of bike

VTC bike

Difficulty

A 38 km trail, mostly flat. The only difficulty is its length.

Children

From 12 y.o.

Start

Chemin du Moulin Soete, 21 -7780 Comines-Warneton (Comines-Warneton Tourist Office), where you will find node #5. Go towards node 6 towards the town centre.

Signs

Follow the nodes # 5, 6, 27, 4, 15, 2, 23, 3, 25, 29, 24, 13, 4, 27, 28, 7, 9, 6 and 5.

Parking

By the Tourist Office