The Canadian Vimy Memorial

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.

Technical sheet

n°240688
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.23 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 13 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 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

Practical information

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.

In the nearby area

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 15 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Salamand59115
Salamand59115

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : 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 walk : Apr 03, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : 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 walk : Mar 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Interesting heritage and historical walks in very pleasant surroundings

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Frédéric62
Frédéric62
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : 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 walk : Jun 07, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : 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 walk : Oct 31, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ 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 walk : Jun 23, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ 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 walk : Aug 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ 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 walk : Aug 13, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ 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 walk : Jun 09, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ 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 walk : Aug 13, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ 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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vdidry1
vdidry1

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 21, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful walk, both historically and in terms of the route. The route was chosen for its shady aspect because of the very hot weather on the day of the walk.
Impressive views of the monument and the Lens plain. The terrain, riddled with shell holes and trenches, reminds us that a century ago, thousands of men fought in conditions that are hard to imagine today.

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