The Freedom Trail – A walk of remembrance around Bastogne
This 68 km walking loop in 3 stages allows you to cross the places that were the scene of the famous Battle of the Bulge and the villages liberated by the army of General Patton.
Le chemin de la liberté is a 68 km loop developed by our partner“GTA – Maison de la randonnée“. It is an invitation to remember the past in this area of the Bastogne region, which was encircled by the Germans in 1944-45 and saw intense fighting. The trail passes by the American memorial on Mardasson hill and takes in the communes of Bastogne, Vaux-Sur-Sûre, Sainte-Ode and Bertogne. It links various memorial sites erected in tribute to the soldiers and civilians who died in the Second World War.
On this circuit, which is accessible to pedestrians and mountain bikers, you’ll have the opportunity to discover various places in a region that was traversed by the American army and, in particular, by General Patton’s 3rd Army during the Battle of the Bulge.
This major itinerary is part of the European Liberation Route, certified as a “Council of Europe Cultural Route” and complemented by various thematic itineraries. Libération Europe is an international memorial network linking the main regions of Europe liberated from Nazi occupation in 1943-1945. This network of paths has been developed in conjunction with hiking associations, and brings together identified routes across Europe in the footsteps of the Allied forces. It stretches for almost 10,000 kilometers.
Europ’Aventure offers you this walking or mountain biking holiday – Self-guided hiking – 3 to 4 days – Accessible all year round according to your availability.
Program
Day 1
Sainte-Ode
Reception at the accommodation in the afternoon and handing over of the complete file. Evening meal included.
Day 2
Houmont – Champs (23 km; + 361 m)
On this day, the itinerary takes you between the villages of Houmont and Champs. After breakfast, take your car and park in the village parking lot in Houmont (10-minute drive – free parking for the duration of your stay). You leave in the direction of the domain of Wachirock and cross the small villages of Tronle, Flamierge and Flamisoul. At the end of the stage, there is a small transfer back to the accommodation
Day 3
Champs – Bastogne (22 km; + 279 m)
You start the stage on the marked out circuit where you left it the day before (small transfer envisaged after the breakfast towards the starting point). You walk today in the direction of Bastogne which you reach after 22km. The route takes you through the villages of Longchamps and Recogne before arriving in the vicinity of Bastogne. You will pass through the famous Bois Jacques and will be able to meditate in the Bois de la Paix. Before arriving in the center of Bastogne, you will pass by the famous “Mardasson” and the Bastogne War Museum. Arrival on foot at the accommodation located in the center of Bastogne.
Day 4
Bastogne – Houmont (28 km; + 383 m)
On this day, the itinerary takes you from the center of Bastogne, the high place of the Battle of the Bulge, to Houmont in the commune of Sainte-Ode. You leave the accommodation on foot and quickly pass by the Mardasson memorial (possibility to visit the Bastogne War Museum) before heading to the village of Neffe. You then leave the road to join forest paths before returning to the road at Lutrebois. You follow the route of the Rhine-Meuse trail which takes you through the Haute-Sûre Forêt d’Anlier Nature Park. At the end of the stage you will reach your car parked in Houmont. Possibility to sleep an extra night in Bastogne.
Map
Practical information
Home : day 1, in the late afternoon (the welcome point will be confirmed to you at the time of booking).
Dispersion: On the last day, at the end of the stage, you walk back to your car. Possibility of an extra night and departure in the morning after breakfast.
Supervision: unaccompanied hiking.
Accommodation: bed and breakfast and/or hotel **/***.
Access: by car (free parking for the duration of your stay) or by public transport (TEC – Houffalize stop)
Dates
The stay on “The Freedom Trail – Memory Walk around Bastogne” can be organized at your convenience and departures are possible all year round. Please note: from 1 October to 31 December, the itinerary is likely to be deviated in some places due to the hunting season. You will always be warned!
Prices
Below is the price list per person for 2024. The price depends mainly on the number of nights desired and the type of accommodation desired.
| Double, Twin or Triple Room | Single Room | |||
| With luggage transport | Without Transport | With luggage transport | Without Transport | |
| 3 nights | 445,00 € | – | 665,00 € | – |
| 4 nights | 575,00 € | – | 835,00 € | – |
Prices are per person
The price includes :
- Half-board accommodation in *** hotels and ** or *** guest rooms
- Free parking at the accommodation for the duration of the stay
- GPX Tracks of hikes
- Official roadbook of the hike and map
- Complete folder with information brochures, luggage tags,…
The price does not include :
- The drinks
- Picnics
- Personal expenses and insurance
- Everything not mentioned in the “Price includes” section.
From
445,00 €
Highlights
- A brand-new route planned for 2023
- Immerse yourself in the landscape of the Battle of the Bulge
- Bastogne War Museum
In pictures
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Discovering the Mullerthal300,00 € -
Tour du Vercors770,00 € -
Tour du Mont Blanc960,00 € -
L’Echappée Jurassienne – Haut-Jura845,00 €
