Woods and trenches between Thélus and Vimy

Car park at Place du Maréchal Leclerc in Thélus.

(S/E) Start opposite the church and take the first street on the left (Rue de Vimy). You’ll reach a fork opposite the cemetery.

(1) Take the right-hand path. Follow the path and you will reach a fork at the edge of the Bois du Goulot.

(2) Take the left-hand track to cross the woods.

(3) Just before reaching the road (D51), take the correct path on the left (l'Entre-Deux-Chemins-De-Vimy). Pass in front of the Fontaine Saint-Ragnulphe and continue along this path until you reach the first houses of Vimy (on the right).

(4) At the junction, continue to the right, then turn immediately left onto Rue Gambetta. Ignore Rue des Croix on the left and look for a small lane on the left at the corner of No. 19. Follow this narrow lane heading west, and through a series of small streets and lanes, reach Rue Georges Buret. Follow it to the right until you reach a T-junction. Turn left and reach Avenue du Canada.

(5) Head for the pedestrian crossing on the right, cross (taking care, though ) and take the small lane opposite.
Continue along the street that leads from there until you reach a T-junction at the end of Résidence du Vieux Mont. Turn right and, about a hundred metres further on, you’ll find a narrow lane on the left, at the corner of No. 21.

(6) Take this pretty, winding lane and, via a flight of steps leading down, join a main path. Follow it to the left.
Ignore the path on the right leading to the English Cemetery and continue along this good path through the woodland. A bend to the right, another to the left, and you’ll reach a crossroads.

(7) Turn right (yellow arrow), then immediately left (also marked in yellow) to cross over the dual carriageway, following a fence. Follow the path as it climbs and reaches a T-junction.

(8) Take the path on the right and arrive near the northern edge of the woodland. The well-marked path slopes to the left and continues along the edge. It is a lovely path full of dips and bumps which, broadly speaking, follows the edge (pink markings on some trees, late March 2026). Reach a fork.

(9) Continue straight ahead. The path then turns left and, after a steep climb (often damp), joins the Route Forestière du Train de Loos.

(10) Continue to the right, leave the woods, and arrive facing the monument. Go to the left and pass in front of the public toilets,

(11) Immediately after, take the path on the left. Join the road (D55) and follow it to the left, keeping to the left-hand side. If you’re lucky, you’ll see the magnificent flock of sheep that roams the area.

(12) At the fork, continue straight ahead, still on the D55, and arrive at the entrance to the trench site.

(13) Turn left and follow the clear path that runs through the middle of the trenches before joining a small road (^D55E).

(14) Follow it to the right (there is a good path on the left-hand side).

(15) When the road turns sharply left, leave it and take the path on the right. It is a wide path, but unfortunately quite rutted and damp.

(16) On leaving the woods (facing the motorway), head left along the edge. A wide path (British cemetery on the right) leads to the D917 (traffic lights). Cross over and head straight on towards Thélus. Ignore the first street on the right (Rue de Victoria).

(17) Take the second street on the right and leave it immediately to follow the path that starts on the left (Chemin des Haies).

(18) At the second junction, turn left onto the Grand'route. Cross it and head straight on (Rue des Abouts).
Then take the first street on the right, Rue du Sac, and head for the car park (S/E).

The paths can be difficult, so make sure you wear suitable footwear.

There are public toilets opposite the Monument, but the water is marked as not drinkable.