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.
From
445,00 €
Bastogne: welcome to “Le Chemin de la Liberté”, one of the largest itineraries proposed in the Ardennes region by the Maison de la Randonnée – GTA Belgique.
The path to freedom is an invitation to remember the past in this area of the Bastogne region which, in 1944-45, was surrounded by the Germans and where the fighting was intense. This 68 km loop hike passing by the American memorial on the Mardasson hill takes you through the municipalities of Bastogne, Vaux-Sur-Sûre, Sainte-Ode and Bertogne. It connects various memorial sites erected in honor of the soldiers and civilians who died during the Second World War “Word War II”.
On this circuit, you will discover different places of a region which was crossed by the American army and, in particular, by the 3rd army of General Patton during the battle of the Bulge also called “Battle of the Bulge”.
From one stop to the other, you walk through villages that were liberated by the Americans after having experienced terrible fighting. Along the way, the route leads you successively through the natural park of the Deux Ourthes and the natural park Haute-Sûre Forêt d’Anlier. You walk on forest paths, village roads or through fields.
And, in some places, on major routes or local walks. For example, from the Mardasson hill to Sprimont in the municipality of Sainte-Ode, the route follows the Rhine-Meuse route that connects Andernach in Germany to Monthermé in France.
Program
Day 1
Lavacherie
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, you will take your car and park in the parking lot of the village of Houmont (10 minutes by car). 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.
Practical information
Home :
day 1, at the end of the afternoon (the meeting point will be confirmed at the time of booking). Delivery of the file with useful information for the stay (roadbook, vouchers,…).
Dispersion:
The last day at the end of the stage. Possibility of an extra night after the last day of walking and departure the next morning after breakfast.
Supervision:
walking tour, without a guide
Accommodation:
Hotel *** and guest house ** or ***
Dates / prices
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!
Price
Below is the price list per person for the year 2023. 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 a *** hotel and ** or *** guesthouse
- Breakfast and 3-course dinner
- 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 :
- drinks
- picnics
- personal expenses and insurance
- anything not indicated in “Price includes”.
In pictures
