The “Four Days of the Yser” take place every year during the first full week following after August 15th and offers four days of walking for young and old to enjoy.
Participants are free to choose which and how many days they wish to participate.
For every day, there are different distances to choose from: 8, 16, 24 and 32 km. Alternative routes are available to maximize accessibility for participants with disabilities.
There is at least one ceremony per day to commemorate the civilian and military casualties of both World Wars, and particularly World War I given the region.
- The opening ceremony and the start and finish of the first walking day take place in Koksijde-Oostduinkerke, the town where the Four Days of the Yser originated.
- In general, the route of the first walking day passes through the territory of Newport, which was the last town on the Western Front during World War I. However, exceptions are possible.
- The start and finish of the last walking day and the closing ceremony including the parade of all participants always take place in the town of Ypres, which has become one of the symbols of World War I.
- The remaining start and finish points are located in the front line cities of Poperinge and Diksmuide.