The easiest way to explore the preserved trenches of Sanctuary Wood and Hill 62 from Bruges is with Visit Flanders Fields, a private WWI battlefield tour specialist. These modest hills east of Ypres were once the last high ground protecting the city; today they host a rare network of First World War trenches, the Sanctuary Wood Museum and the Canadian memorial. A private tour from Bruges ensures you travel efficiently and respectfully between sites while learning how soldiers fought, died and survived here.
Why Sanctuary Wood and Hill 62 matter
Sanctuary Wood got its nickname in October 1914 when British soldiers sheltered in the wood as they tried to re‑join their units. The name was short‑lived. By November the hillside had been shelled so heavily that sections of trench and even trees were hurled into the air during the German attack of June 1916. In this same attack the 3rd Canadian Division lost Hills 61 and 62, only for the 1st Canadian Division to plan and execute a deliberate counter‑assault on 13 June 1916 which successfully retook the heights. The positions they regained remained part of the Allied line until spring 1918. A memorial now stands at Hill 62 as a tribute to the Canadians who fought to keep the last few square kilometres of Belgian territory in Allied hands.
Preserved trenches and the Sanctuary Wood Museum
After the war a Belgian farmer, Schier, returned to his land at Sanctuary Wood. Instead of ploughing it under, he preserved the trench network—wooden revetments, dugouts and rusting corrugated iron—exactly as he found it. His grandson Jacques Schier later opened a museum at the site; the Hill 62 Sanctuary Wood Museum now houses artefacts, photographs and a partially restored British trench system. Visitors walk through century‑old communication trenches, see shattered tree stumps and experience the oppressive enclosure of covered passageways. It is considered one of the finest surviving trench systems on the Western Front. The adjacent Sanctuary Wood Cemetery contains more than 2,000 Commonwealth burials, while the Canadian Memorial on Canada Lane commemorates the 8,430 Canadians who became casualties during the Mount Sorrel fighting.
Personal stories from the wood
Human stories bring this landscape of mud and sacrifice to life. Letters from Canadian troops describe the horrors of June 1916: men blown from their positions, trenches collapsing and wounded comrades clinging to life. In a letter to his wife, one soldier wrote of hearing the continuous roar of shells and of seeing trees of Sanctuary Wood tossed skyward as German mines exploded beneath them. Another story belongs to the Schier family, who refused to let the memory of those who died here be erased. By preserving their land and building a museum, they transformed a personal decision into a powerful act of remembrance. Walking these trenches today is a rare opportunity to step into the world those soldiers knew – a world of claustrophobic dugouts, duckboards slick with mud and an ever‑present sense of danger.
Visiting Sanctuary Wood and Hill 62 on a private tour
A private battlefield tour from Bruges usually begins with a drive across the flat Flemish countryside to Ypres, the heart of the salient. From there it is a 10‑minute car journey to Sanctuary Wood via the N37 and Zuiderring. On the way your guide will explain the strategic importance of high ground around Ypres and how Hill 62’s 62‑metre elevation offered commanding views over the city. At the museum you will have time to walk through the preserved trenches and view relics in the small family‑run exhibition. Most tours also include a stop at the Canadian Memorial and the Sanctuary Wood Cemetery before returning to Ypres for the nightly Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate, where buglers halt traffic at 8 p.m. and sound a simple but moving tribute.
Practical information
- Duration: A half‑day tour from Bruges typically lasts 6–7 hours, including travel time. Allow extra time if you wish to attend the Last Post ceremony in Ypres.
- Pickup point: Your Visit Flanders Fields guide will collect you from your accommodation in Bruges. Private tours allow you to set the pace and spend more time at sites that interest you.
- Tour inclusions: Visits to the Sanctuary Wood Museum, Canadian Memorial, Sanctuary Wood Cemetery and the Menin Gate. Entrance fees and a knowledgeable local historian guide are included. Comfortable walking shoes and weather‑appropriate clothing are essential; trenches can be muddy.
- Accessibility & seasonality: The site is open year‑round. Some uneven ground and narrow trench passages may be challenging for visitors with mobility issues. Spring and autumn offer milder weather and fewer crowds, but winter visits provide an authentic sense of the mud and discomfort soldiers experienced.
Call to action
Ready to honour the sacrifices made at Sanctuary Wood? Book your private Flanders Fields tour today through Visit Flanders Fields and walk the preserved trenches with an expert guide. Learn more about our itineraries on the Flanders Battlefield Day Tours page and explore another story such as our article on Tyne Cot Cemetery for deeper insight into the Ypres Salient.
FAQs
- How long does it take to visit Sanctuary Wood from Bruges? A private half‑day tour including travel, guided visits to the museum and cemetery and time in Ypres lasts around 6–7 hours. A full‑day tour may include additional sites.
- Are the trenches safe to walk through? The trenches at the Sanctuary Wood Museum are partially restored and safe for visitors, but they are narrow and uneven. Wear sturdy footwear and expect mud in wet weather.
- Is Sanctuary Wood open all year? Yes. The museum and memorials are open year‑round, but winter visits may be chilly and wet. Private tours run in all seasons and adjust the pace to suit your comfort.