The Western Front Way hiking trail takes you along the historic First World War front lines.

Overview:

Concept: This is a walk with serious backbone. We created the Western Front Way to follow the line of the WWI front, over 1,000km of former trenches, battlefields, and hard-won peace. You’ll hike through quiet villages and open farmland, past bunkers, memorials, and forests like the Argonne and Vosges. Understand all sides of the story, and not just the ones we’re taught. This is a spectacular history trail.

Distance: 1,000 km (620 miles)
Duration: Around 5–6 weeks for the full route, or break it into segments
Start: Porrentruy, Switzerland; official start is Kilometre Zero marker stone at Bonfol.
End: Nieuwpoort, Belgium
Ability: Classified as an expert-level, the route demands very good fitness and some sure-footedness.
Terrain: The trail comprises various surfaces, including mountain hiking paths, tow-paths, unpaved sections, and asphalt roads
Best For: Long-distance walkers who don’t want another Camino. This is a rare thing, uncrowded, beautiful, and stitched with meaning. Do it in one go or break it into segments.

Paper Maps: There is the digital maps for straightforward navigation and trip planning, ideal for the majority who now use digital tools to map their journeys. For those who prefer paper, we recommend the excellent IGN Grande Guerre 1914–1918 map, available from the IGN website (preferred) or Amazon.

The Western Front Way. Less Pilgrim, More Perspective.

The Western Front and WWI wasn’t one country’s war. And this isn’t one country’s trail. It’s French, Belgian, German, South African, Australian, New Zealand, Indian, Canadian, American, British and more.

This is a 1,000-kilometre hike from Kilometre Zero marker stone at the French-Swiss border to the beaches of Nieuwpoort, Belgium. It follows the Western Front as close to the lines as possible, through forests, frontline towns, and ridge lines. You’ll pass field hospitals, trench systems, bunkers, battlefields, memorials, and museums. 

This isn’t a walk for Kudos or Likes. It’s a serious trail for people who want to understand more about the multiple narratives that shaped the modern world. A decade was spent building it so the world could access it freely.

The Western Front Way is a physical and mental challenge. The people are generous. The stories are extraordinary. The landscape will surprise you. Now it’s yours to share.

looking for supported trips?

Freedom Trails specialises in guided and self-guided walking and cycling expeditions inspired by history and adventure. They manage and run our supported trips along the Western Front Way, offering expert leadership and immersive experiences on this 1,000 km trail.

Essentials to Know

• South – North: A recommended start is from Basel Airport to Porrentruy (CH). Opposite Porrentruy station you will find the Hotel de la Gare. This efficient hotel has a restaurant and is ideally located to start early the following day. Porrentruy is a picturesque town with plenty of amenities, including a big Migros supermarket (closed on Sundays; buy Zweifel Paprika crisps and their hand wash liquid for clothes!).

  From Porrentruy station, you can choose your start time using this train timetable to take you the 14mins regional train to Bonfol.  This is where the Western Front Way trail begins. 

• North to South: The trail begins at the pier on beach front, near the tourism office in the coastal town of Nieuwpoort-Bad. Access to Nieuwpoort is a fast train from Brussels to Ostend approx. 1h30 (Fast train with one change from Brussels Midi – Gent – Bruges – Ostend). From Ostend book the regional tram to Nieuwpoort. (Nieuwpoort and Nieuwpoort-Bad are the same place, however, ‘Bad’ means beachfront). To get closer to Nieuwpoort-Bad, a city tram leaves every 15 minutes, it takes 12 minutes and you alight near the tourism office. From here you are central to the hotels, beachfront restaurants, amenities and most importantly, the start point on the pier, near the tourism office, Hendrikaplein 11, 8620 Nieuwpoort

Packing Checklist

• Gear: Be prepared! See our Kit List recommendations but you’ll know what you’ll want and need to make this trail work best for you.
• Food & Water: Due to limited amenities in certain areas, hikers should carry sufficient food, water, and emergency provisions at all times. We highly recommend you always have enough food and water. We also recommend you carry emergency food sachets such as Firepot Meals. Pack energy-dense snacks and energy bars for easy-to-grab boosts.
• First Aid: Basic first-aid items must be carried. 

Safety Tips and Trail Etiquette

• • Trail Rules: Wild camping / bivouac is not prohibited but is tolerated and you must respect certain regulations – Le camping sauvage. Bivouacking is generally understood to mean a one-night stop, in respect to leaving no trace, and is implicitly authorised between the hours of 7 p.m and 9 a.m and is subject rules in coastal areas, listed natural sites and historic monuments. Making an open fire when wild camping in dry/and or wooded areas in France in summer is strictly forbidden. You must seek the owner’s permission if you camp on private land.
  • Emergency Contacts: For life or death emergencies, dial 112 for immediate assistance in France & Belgium.
  • Local Awareness: France and Belgium experienced profound devastation during WWI, with varied local perspectives that should be approached with respect. France faced three significant wars in close succession, the Prussian War, WWI, and WWII, with southern regions near Verdun often overlooked despite their fierce, mountainous conflicts.