Bayernwald, German trench complex in Heuvelland, Belgium.
Bayernwald is a reconstructed trench system from the First World War featuring sandbags, wooden pathways, and underground concrete bunkers. The complex includes several connected sections that recreate the underground military infrastructure of the war.
The fortifications were built in 1914 after German troops captured this area from French forces during the opening stages of the conflict. The position remained strategically important throughout the war as a key defensive line in the west.
Visitors can understand how soldiers lived and worked during the First World War by walking through the trenches themselves. The site reveals the daily experiences and hardships that troops faced in this location during the conflict.
The site is easy to walk through and requires only normal clothing and sturdy shoes for stability on uneven ground. Plan for at least two hours to explore all areas and navigate the underground passages at a comfortable pace.
The site contains underground listening posts where soldiers monitored the enemy's movements across no-man's-land. These hidden positions reveal how intelligence gathering was as crucial as firepower in trench warfare.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.