Themed route

Peace Wood

Belgium

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Type

Hiking
Cycling

Distance

10.17 km

This themed route follows the events surrounding the defence of Bastogne in December 1944 to January 1945, and the stories of the loss and bloodshed in the Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge.

This route enables visitors to discover the sites and stories connected to the battles fought to the north and the east of Bastogne, by the troops of the 506th and 501st Parachute Infantry Regiments of the U.S. 101st Airborne Division.

The landscapes between the villages of Mageret and Foy are still marked by the traces of combat. Since the end of the 20th century, various monuments have been added throughout the area and act as a permanent reminder of the sacrifices made by many during the Battle of the Bulge.

One of these monuments, located between Bizory and Foy, reminds us of the sacrifice of many American soldiers who were killed fighting in the area of the Bois Jacques (Jack's Wood).

Another commemorative site, is that of the Bois de la Paix (Peace Wood). Through each of its memorial trees, it pays tribute to all the American soldiers and units that fought during the Ardennes Offensive. Inaugurated in 1994, the wood’s message of peace takes on its full meaning from the sky, with the trees of remembrance laid out in the shape of the UNICEF symbol.

Following this route through the Ardennes countryside, visitors will discover more about the extent of the fighting.  They will also learn about the difficulties experienced by the soldiers in their foxholes and on the frontline, and the fear and suffering experienced by the civilians trapped both inside and outside the perimeter of Bastogne during the winter of 1944 to 1945.

The route is accessible to both walkers and cyclists alike.

Sites and stories along the route