Bayernwald German Trenches (Croonaert Wood)

Back in WWI, Germany used Croonaert Wood as a defensive base. Tons of preserved WWI trenches, bunkers, dugouts, and mining shafts are in this open air museum.

Back in 1914, the world was at war. This site was one part of Germany’s trench network where they fought against Allied forces to occupy Belgium. Germany took this site from the French in 1914. You’ll find the trenches in between villages Wijtschate and Voormezele, a 10 min drive from Ypres.

Why should you go see it? Well, there’s a few special sites in Belgium where you can walk through WWI trenches. There aren’t many with as many details preserved as the WWI open air museum Baynerwald. This is more than walking through trenches. This is seeing how warfare worked in WWI.

Baynerwald was reconstructed and preserved by archaeologists to be an authentic WWI trench network, although only 10% of the original size. We’ve all seen the war movies of soldiers sitting in dreary, muddy trenches listening to gunfire. That is generally accurate. But there’s some stuff you don’t really see or learn about. The German forces used Bayernwald trenches to eavesdrop on the British. Spying isn’t always glamorous!

What to See: Yes, there’s trenches. But what else? You get to see the mining galleries and shafts, plus five bunkers. Info panels are all over the trenches to give you more info on its history. Want more trenches? Check out Sanctuary Wood and the Yorkshire Trenches over in Ypres.

Important Note: Tickets are not available to buy on site at the Bayernwald Trenches. You have to pay for your ticket elsewhere otherwise you won’t be able to get in as it’s all fenced. You can get tickets from the Tourist Office Heuvelland, Bistro Saint-Hubert, Local shop Appetijtje, Bakkery Pauwelyn, and Tourist Office Ieper nearby. Check ahead to see which of these are open and easiest for you to buy tickets from.