Briana Gervat Walked 500 Miles Through WWI Battlefields… Alone
What would it take to walk 500 miles through history… completely alone?
Not a guided tour.
Not a bucket list trip.
But a full immersion into one of the most devastating chapters in human history.
That’s exactly what Briana Gervat did—becoming the first woman to walk the entire Western Front solo, tracing the path of World War I across Europe.
And after hearing her story, it completely changed how I think about travel.
Why Walk the Western Front?
For Briana, this wasn’t random.
It started with a lifelong curiosity about history—migration, war, and the forces that shape people’s lives.
From studying art history to visiting places like Cambodia and Rwanda, she became drawn to locations where history isn’t just remembered… it’s felt.
Then she discovered something most travelers have never heard of:
👉 The Western Front Way — an unmarked path stretching across France and Belgium, following the front lines of WWI.
And her reaction?
“There was no planning… it was just, I’m doing this.”
500 Miles. Solo. No Guide.
This wasn’t a casual hike.
No tour group
No guide
No marked trail
Just a GPS route… and a decision to go.
She carried everything on her back:
Tent
Sleeping bag
Supplies
Some nights she camped.
Other nights she stayed in small towns.
But the entire journey?
Completely solo.
The Mental Battle Is the Real Journey
Physically, it’s intense.
But mentally?
That’s where things get real.
There were days she walked 16 miles and collapsed at the end, questioning everything:
Why am I doing this?
Do I belong here?
Am I honoring this history the right way?
“There were days I would fall down defeated and cry…”
And then…
There were moments of clarity.
Days where everything clicked—and she knew she was exactly where she was supposed to be.
What It Feels Like to Walk Through History
Here’s what most people don’t realize:
The Western Front isn’t just one place.
It’s everywhere.
You’re walking through:
WWI battlefields
WWII remnants
French Revolution history
“One minute you’re in 1870… the next you’re in 1793… then suddenly 1944.”
But the most powerful part?
It’s quiet.
Unsettlingly quiet.
You stand in places where thousands died… and hear nothing.
And that silence forces you to sit with one question:
👉 Why did this happen?
The Hardest Moment Wasn’t Physical
You’d think the hardest part would be the distance.
It wasn’t.
It was mile 350… mile 400…
When she asked herself:
👉 Is this enough? Should I stop?
That mental battle—to keep going when you’ve already proven everything—was the real challenge.
Do People Think You’re Crazy?
Surprisingly… no.
Locals understood.
Because in that region, remembrance isn’t a tourist activity—it’s part of life.
People didn’t question her.
They just said:
“World War I… okay. Have a good walk.”
The Moment That Hits Everyone
There’s a realization that happens on trips like this.
And I’ve felt it too visiting battlefields.
It’s this:
👉 You realize how lucky you are to be born when you were.
Standing in these places… you can’t help but think:
What if I lived then?
Would I have been here?
Would I have survived?
It’s gratitude… mixed with disbelief.
This Isn’t Just a History Story
Briana didn’t write her book to explain tactics or generals.
She wrote it to show the human side of war.
Her book, There Will Come Soft Rains, is about:
Loss
Perspective
Endurance
And what it means to walk through history—not just learn it
“It’s not just about the Great War… it’s about what it means to walk through history.”
Where to Buy the Book & Follow Briana
If this story hits you even a little, her book is 100% worth your time.
📚 Book: There Will Come Soft Rains
Available on major platforms like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent bookstores
A deep, personal look at walking through history—not just reading it
📸 Instagram: Briana Gervat Instagram
Behind-the-scenes from her journey
Historical insights + photography
Updates on future travels and projects
The Biggest Travel Lesson From This Journey
This might be the most important takeaway:
👉 Don’t travel like a tourist.
👉 Travel like a curious human.
That one shift changes everything.
Watch the Full Interview
If you want to hear the full conversation—including the toughest moments, unexpected lessons, and what she’d do differently—
🎥 Watch the full episode: “Briana Gervat Walked 500 Miles Through WWI Battlefields… Alone”