The Canadian Vimy Memorial

de fr

This site represents Canada's most impressive memorial to its citizens who fought and gave their lives in the First World War. A strategic high point, offering breathtaking views of the coalfield and Artois hills.

Details

n°240688
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.23 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 13 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 13 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 151 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 132 m
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Photos

The woman in mourning
souvenir
snail
Vimy Memorial Park

Description of the walk

Start: Park in the car park on the left at the entrance to the site, on the D55 coming from Givenchy.

(S/E) Follow the D55 road South towards Arras, using the pedestrian walkway alongside the road. At the fork in the road (contour 135), turn right in the direction of Arras.

(1) After about 100m, enter the visitor centre. Go straight ahead along the path beside the trenches.

(2) Merge onto the Route Canadienne (D55E2) and follow the dirt road to the right.

(3) At the junction (contour 143), turn left onto a track blocked by a metal fence.

(4) At the end of the road (Forêt domaniale de Vimy sign), turn left onto the forest pathway of Train de Loos. Go straight ahead on this road (North-West) to reach a gated entrance.

(5). Turn left onto the road leading to the memorial.

(6) Turn right to visit the memorial and admire the panorama, then return. Retrace your steps.

(6) Turn right again to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 145 m - Parking du - Mémorial Canadien de Vimy
  2. 1 : km 0.87 - alt. 132 m - Entrance to the Welcome Centre
  3. 2 : km 1.35 - alt. 139 m - Route Canadienne
  4. 3 : km 2.7 - alt. 143 m - Intersection - Barrier
  5. 4 : km 2.94 - alt. 139 m - Forest road
  6. 5 : km 4.41 - alt. 144 m - Entrance to the Canadian Memorial
  7. 6 : km 4.7 - alt. 147 m - Access to the - Mémorial Canadien de Vimy
  8. S/E : km 5.23 - alt. 145 m - Parking du - Mémorial Canadien de Vimy

Notes

Start: Park in the car park on the left at the entrance to the site, on the D55 coming from Givenchy.

A short, easy walk in tribute to those who died in the First World War.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 16 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
fsaudemont
fsaudemont

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very easy, wide paths, be well equipped in case of high humidity/rain

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Salamand59115
Salamand59115

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We really enjoyed this tour, which combines hiking and history. Unfortunately, we won't be able to do it again because part of it is off-limits to dogs, even on a lead. We discovered it by walking. I think that's a shame, especially when the owners have obedient dogs and respect the cleanliness of the area. We were kindly taken back by a guard and had a bit of trouble getting to our car in the car park. I'd like it to be made clear on future hikes that you can't take your canine companion with you.

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4641881059
4641881059

I was delighted to do this walk again on 1/04/2021.

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christine gouy
christine gouy

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Only one negative point not specified in the description of the hike: site forbidden to dogs

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4641881059
4641881059

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Interesting heritage and historical walks in very pleasant surroundings

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Frédéric62
Frédéric62
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great hike, a little off the beaten track meant I came across a bunch of snails.
https://youtu.be/F6gsYprVp0I

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jo wilfried
jo wilfried

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great walk and beautiful trenches nearby
For your information, the memorial has already reopened

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jo wilfried
jo wilfried

Do you know if we have to go through the memorial site because it doesn't answer the phone?
It hasn't reopened yet but the forest has already reopened.
Thank you very much.

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dancamphin
dancamphin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

to increase the distance I set off from Givenchy en Gohelle
It's an 11.5 km walk with a nice climb up to the memorial.

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Doylah
Doylah

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Reliable description and route, except for the part around the forest road in Loos where the path is not very well maintained, so there is a lot of grass (and ticks!) Be careful and don't wear shorts! Otherwise, the Canadian Memorial is very beautiful (and less warlike than the French memorials of the same period...) The shell craters are impressive too.

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chris62680
chris62680

Hi, I haven't done this route yet.

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js.maubert
js.maubert

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very simple, easy-to-access route.
Very pleasant on the site of the Canadian Vimy Memorial.

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sevandseb
sevandseb

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A superb historical walk.
I suggest starting from the small car park on the route des canadiens (between the memorial and the trenches). Then follow the path of the trenches, the forest road... to finish at the memorial and the breathtaking view ***!

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Philippe Degeye
Philippe Degeye

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Easy to get to. If you are interested in the history of the First World War, the exhibitions and guides are free of charge.

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woody70
woody70

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb hike on a superb site; welcome to Canada. Don't hesitate to visit the interpretation centre at the start of the trail, and try out the trenches.

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