In the footsteps of "Band of Brothers" and the Battle of Bastogne

Departure from the Bastogne War Museum car park.

(S/E) Leave the car park towards the access road, turn right and walk about 100 metres.

(1) Take the gravel path on the left towards the stone quarry, then follow the path that goes around it on the right.

(2) At the intersection, turn left, go under the old railway bridge and follow the path to the right. Continue towards the woods, staying on the main path, and continue straight on until you reach a small car park at the side of the road.

(3) Just before the car park, turn left to see the soldiers' positions, then join the road and follow it to the right. Pass the small car park again and continue along the road. Cross the Ravel L163 and find a gravel path on the left about a hundred metres further on.

(4) Follow this path and walk along the woods until you reach the first path on the right.

(5) Take this forest path. After about 50 metres, turn left, cross a lane, then take a 90° turn to the right and you will reach the European Peace Forest.

(6) Take the time to look at the various steles and panels, then rejoin the gravel path you left earlier, heading straight north-east. Cross it and continue on the forest path opposite. Walk about 50 metres to the forest path that runs alongside the concrete Ravel.

(7) Ignore the Ravel and turn right, then walk about 700 metres along the path overlooking the concrete Ravel until you reach a small wooden bridge.

(8) Turn left, cross the Ravel via the small bridge and then turn left onto the gravel path.

(9) At the second path on the right, continue along it, ignoring the paths on either side, for 1.4 km until you reach a crossroads in the village of Foy.

(10) Turn left and then right at the next crossroads towards the church.

(11) Cross the main road using the pedestrian crossing and continue towards Recogne. At the four-way crossroads, turn right towards the stele of the old American cemetery. Then retrace your steps and turn right. Pass in front of the German cemetery and continue towards Recogne until you reach the first road on the left.

(12) Turn onto this road towards the Bison Farm and continue along the road for 1 km. You will arrive at a five-way crossroads.

(13) Leave the road and take the gravel path opposite, slightly to the right. Continue for 1.2 km, leave the woods and rejoin the road you left earlier. Continue along this road until the next crossroads.

(14) Turn left and take the gravel path, which is almost straight, for 2 km. Stay on the main path, walk along the left-hand side of the motocross track and you will come to a road (N854).

(15) Cross over and take Rue du Doya opposite. Pass the hospital and the old military barracks and join the Chaussée de Houffalize (N30).

(16) Turn right and continue to the church.

(17) At the church, continue left towards Clervaux, Route de Clervaux, and walk for 800 m.

(18) In the right-hand bend, at the war memorial (fort from May 1940), turn left towards Mardasson. At the three-way junction, go straight ahead and head for the Bastogne War Museum car park (S/E).

- No shelters along the route.
- No drinking water available.
- Good waterproof walking shoes recommended in winter.
- Shops and restaurants along the route.

Find period photos to locate along the route and more details on our website: www.foxwildexplore.be

You can also download a comprehensive PDF file with historical explanations.

To kick off the new year, we wanted to offer you a slightly different kind of hike. We invite you to take a historical detour in the footsteps of the TV series "Band of Brothers" and the Battle of Bastogne.

During the winter of 1944-1945, here in the Ardennes, one of the longest and most gruelling battles of the Second World War took place. After four years of occupation of our territories, the German army was routed, thanks in particular to the Normandy landings and pressure from the Russian army in the east. In a fit of madness, the sad German dictator devised a secret plan to retake southern Belgium. The violent offensive was launched on 16 December and ended in mid-January. Bastogne was a strategic crossroads that the Allies did not want to concede, so the^101st American Airborne Division was sent to the rescue. These unfortunate soldiers did not know that they would be surrounded in the town for several weeks without supplies and with temperatures approaching -10°C, not to mention the incessant assaults and bombardments. However, they did not give in!

We offer an immersion into the city's defence perimeter, exactly where these young men probably endured the worst moments of their lives, because it was their duty, because they would have liked the same to be done for them, nothing more!

(S/E) Our route starts at the famous Mardasson monument, built after the war to honour the courage of the men who came from across the Atlantic. Here you will also find the Bastogne War Museum, a veritable treasure trove of information about the battle, accessible to all ages.

We walk directly towards Bois Jacques and the positions of the "Easy Company", made famous by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg's series, "Band of Brothers". We recommend watching it before embarking on our tour. It was here, in particular, that the paratroopers resisted the assaults and the terrible deluge of bombs for several weeks, day and night.
(3) Feel free to venture onto the small paths. You will be able to see the individual holes dug by the soldiers to protect themselves from the gunfire.

A little further on, we come to the monument dedicated to and funded by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. Deeply moved by the events during their visit to the site, they wanted to pay tribute to these soldiers.
A hundred metres before (4), this plaque bears the names of all the American soldiers killed on the positions you left a little earlier.

The next stop is called "The European Peace Forest". This wooded area is now dedicated to remembrance and protected from all human activity in order to preserve the peace that has reigned here for nearly eight decades.
(6) In the centre, you will find an impressive number of steles bearing the names of the soldiers who fought in Bastogne and the surrounding area.

We then descend into the vast and rugged Bastogne plateau, populated by thousands of spruce trees.
(11) The village of Foy witnessed some very violent fighting. Here, we provide you with period photos taken at the central crossroads to give you an idea of the disaster. You can find these photos on our Visorando route, along with their precise location.

The next hamlet brings another dose of despair. For years, the village of Recogne was home to the remains of the unfortunate soldiers from both sides who fell in battle.
Between (11) and (12), on the right-hand side of the route, you will find the site of the former American cemetery, which was moved a long time ago. The most impressive is the German cemetery, which is still there and needs no further explanation.

We slowly begin our return to Bastogne with a much lighter section. You must have heard of the famous "Promenade des Bisons" (Bison Walk).
(13) We suggest you visit these impressive animals before returning to a more historical chapter.

During the siege of the town, the garrison lacked everything, particularly food and ammunition, but also facilities and medical care. The living conditions of soldiers and civilians quickly became inhumane. What a memorable surprise it was to see thousands of aeroplanes appear in the sky on a sunny winter morning when all hope was lost. Survivors still talk about it today.
(15) It was here on the plain known as "Sans-Souci" that most of the parcels attached to parachutes of all colours were dropped. Not to mention the risk taken by the pilots.

Now it's time to head to the town of walnuts. Walnuts?
Between (15) and (16), you will pass the former military barracks in Bastogne. It was here that a message sent by the Germans, demanding the surrender of the town, was received by the commander of the stronghold. The commander's response to the German forces was "Nuts!" (Never!).

Thanks to the fierce resistance of the paratroopers and the massive influx of Allied reinforcements into the region. The German advance in Belgium was heroically halted. This offensive would be Germany's last, as it surrendered four months later. Even today, the battle still leaves a strong impression on people's minds, and the town still bears the scars in places. The suffering endured by the population and both sides is difficult to imagine in our time.

(16) and (17), we will now leave you to enjoy part of the city before returning to Mardasson Hill. We have added a few period photos taken during the siege.

(S/E) If your timing is right, you can enjoy a spectacular sunset at the top of the Mardasson monument or relax in the museum café.

Let's not forget the impressive museum located on Avenue de la Gare, which is largely dedicated to the 101st Airborne Division. It has an incredible collection.

We are also part of an association dedicated to researching these tragic events, so please do not hesitate to contact us for guidance or further information.