Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Login or Signup

Get the App

Login or Signup

Discover
Places to see

Natural Monuments

France
Hauts-De-France
Atrecht
Neuville-Saint-Vaast

Vimy Ridge Shell Craters

Highlight (Segment) • Historical Site

Vimy Ridge Shell Craters

Recommended by 11 hikers

Save

Share

  • More

  • Save

    Share

  • More

  • Take Me There

    Routes here

    Best Hiking Routes to Vimy Ridge Shell Craters

    4.5

    (21)

    187

    hikers

    1. Moroccan monument – Canadian Memorial loop from Thélus

    7.79km

    02:05

    90m

    90m

    Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Navigate

    Send to Phone

    Moderate

    Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Moderate

    Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Easy

    Tips

    July 1, 2025

    The Battle of Vimy Ridge (April 9-12, 1917)

    This is one of the most famous battles for Canadians during the First World War.
    Vimy Ridge was a strategic position fortified by the Germans since 1914.
    In April 1917, the four Canadian divisions, united for the first time, attacked to retake it.
    -
    💥 The bombardments that created the shell holes
    Before the assault
    For several weeks, Allied artillery (mainly British and Canadian) bombarded the German positions to weaken the defenses, cut the barbed wire, and destroy the enemy trenches.
    It is estimated that more than a million shells were fired in preparation for the attack.
    During the attack
    On April 9, 1917, the Canadian infantry advanced under a creeping barrage, that is, artillery fire that advanced just ahead of the soldiers to protect their advance. Result
    These intense bombardments literally riddled the ridge with craters.
    Each shell exploding in the ground dug a hole of varying width (depending on the caliber, often between 1 and 5 meters in diameter).
    🏞 After the War
    Why are the shell holes still there?
    After 1918, it was decided to preserve certain areas as they were, particularly around the future memorial, to demonstrate the scale of the fighting.
    The land was therefore not leveled or cultivated, unlike other areas of the front, which reverted to agricultural fields.
    A Landscape for Remembrance
    The shell craters, reconstructed trenches, and replanted trees (each tree represents a killed Canadian soldier) create a living memorial park, keeping the scars of the conflict visible for future generations.

    Translated by Google •

      In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

      Sign up for free

      Details

      Informations

      Distance 31 m

      Uphill 0 m

      Downhill 0 m

      Weather

      Powered by AerisWeather

      Today

      Thursday 20 November

      4°C

      1°C

      0 %

      If you start your activity now...

      Max wind speed: 14.0 km/h

      Most visited during

      January

      February

      March

      April

      May

      June

      July

      August

      September

      October

      November

      December

      Loading

      Location: Neuville-Saint-Vaast, Atrecht, Hauts-De-France, France

      Other Popular Places to Check Out

      Vers les tranchées canadiennes de Vimy

      Explore
      RoutesRoute plannerFeaturesHikesMTB TrailsRoad cycling routesBikepacking
      Download the app
      Follow Us on Socials

      © komoot GmbH

      Privacy Policy