On Sunday, November 8, the Canada Committee, together with the Wandelende Noordzeeboys and the municipal council, organizes the Canadian Liberation March between Hoofdplaat and Knokke. The walk starts at the Westerscheldedijk in Hoofdplaat and follows a route along dikes and through villages like Zuidzande, Terhofstede, and Retranchement, before crossing the Belgian border towards Oosthoek and Knokke. Participants can travel by bus from Knokke-Heist to Hoofdplaat in the morning or use their own transport. Pre-registration is mandatory due to limited bus capacity. The start in Hoofdplaat is open between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM, with the finish control in Knokke closing at 6:00 PM.
For those who find the 33 km too long, shorter versions of 8, 10, 14, and 19 km are available. These mini-liberation tours start at the Alfred Verweeplein in Knokke-Heist between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM. The routes lead via Kalfduinen and the new dike around De Zwinvlakte, with the 19 km extending to Retranchement (NL). The final section towards Oosthoek and the finish in Knokke is walked together with the 33 km participants. The routes are fully signposted, and rest stops are provided.
Knokke was liberated on November 1, 1944, by Canadian troops after fierce fighting along the Leopold Canal and the 'Breskens Pocket'. The liberation of Duinbergen and Heist followed on November 2 and 3, 1944. These historical events are commemorated annually with this march, organized by the Canada committee, the municipality of Sluis, the Sport Service, WNZB Wandelclub, and the Local History Society Cnocke.
