Hill 62 Memorial, War memorial at Zillebeke, Belgium
Hill 62 Memorial is a war memorial at Zillebeke featuring a 15-tonne granite block positioned atop three landscaped terraces with rose gardens overlooking the surrounding countryside near Ypres. The site includes well-maintained grounds and pathways that allow visitors to explore the area easily.
The area saw intense fighting between 1916 and 1917 between Canadian and German forces, with Canadian troops suffering heavy casualties in these battles. These engagements were crucial to the defense line around Ypres during the First World War.
The site commemorates the battles between April and August 1916 when Canadian forces defended and recaptured this hill from German troops. Over time, it became a place where visitors come to remember the soldiers who died during these fierce engagements.
The site is located about 3 kilometers east of Ypres and can be accessed via Canadalaan, a tree-lined road branching from Meenseweg N8. Parking facilities are available, and well-marked paths make walking around the grounds straightforward.
From the memorial site, visitors can see the church towers of Ypres in the distance, which reveals why this hill held strategic importance during the war. The vantage point helps one understand how soldiers stationed here had a commanding view of the surrounding terrain.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.