E2
Description
- Name E2 (E2)
- Length of trail 4,850 km, 3,014 miles
- Length in days 250 days
- Start of trail Galway (Irl)
- End of trail Nice (F)
- Traildino grading EW, Easy walk, nature trail
E2
North Sea – Lake Geneva – Mediterranean Sea
Trail planned to measure 4850 km, from Galway in Ireland to Nice in southern France. However the Irish portion is as yet non-existent. The trail now starts from Stranrear in Scotland, Great Britain and runs (and is waymarked) through the Netherlands/Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland, meandering in and out of France along the way. It ends on the French Mediterranean coast in Nice.
In Britain, after leaving the Pennine range, the trail splits into 2 alternative routes: the eastern route via Harwich, and the western route via Dover. After crossing to the continent the eastern route continues in the Netherlands, the western route in Belgium. The alternatives rejoin near the Belgian town of Zoersel.
The continental part of the E2 is almost identical to the popular GR5, the trail that connects Hoek van Holland in The Netherlands to Nice in France.
The E2 is made-up of many national trails:
Ireland
- Non-existent
- Galway will be future start
United Kingdom
Northern Route (unofficial)
- Inverness, start
- Great Glenn Way
- West Highland Way
Central Route
- Stranraer, current start
- Southern Upland Way
- St. Cuthbert's Way
- Pennine Way
Eastern branch
- Teesdale Way
- Cleveland way
- Yorkshire Wolds Way
- Viking Way
- Hereward Way
- Fen Rivers Way
- Icknield Way Path
- Stour Valley Path
- Essex Way
- Ferry Harwich – Hoek van Holland (Netherlands, connects to northern branch)
Western branch
- Pennine Way
- Staffordshire Way
- Heart of England Way
- Oxfordshire Way
- Oxford Canal Walk
- Thames Path
- North Downs Way
- Ferry Dover – Calais (France, connects to southern branch). (As some of you pointed out: The ferry Dover - Oostende is not operated anymore. Alternative: Channel Tunnel between Folkestone and Coquelles near Calais, France).
Netherlands (Northern branch)
- First village is Hoek van Holland
- Deltapad (LAW 5-1), Hoek van Holland - Bergen op Zoom
- GR5, Bergen op Zoom - Essen
Belgium
Southern branch, coming from United Kingdom
- First village is Oostende
- GR5a south, Oostende - Antwerpen
- Antwerpen - Deurne, Connecting trail
- GR565, Renier Sniederspad, Deurne - Zoersel,
- GR5 coming from the Netherlands, Zoersel - Diest - Luik - Luxembourg
Northern branch, coming from The Netherlands
- First village is Essen
- GR5, Essen - Ouren
- Last village is Ouren
Luxembourg (212 km)
- GR5 (red paint stops)
This could be broken down to the following paths:
- Our Path, Ouren – Diekirch. Near Hosingen, the E3 coming from the west joins the E2 / GR5
- Maurice Cosyn Path, Diekirch – Echternach
- Lower-Sûre Path, Echternach - Wasserbillig
- Moselle Path, Wasserbillig – Remerschen. Here, the E3 and E2 / GR5 are separated again
- South Path, Remerschen – Tétange / Rumelange
- Last village is Tétange / Rumelange
France
Switzerland
- Jura Höhenweg (southern tip, across Lake Geneva)
France again
- GR5
- Nice, finish
Select some tracks
☐Staffordshire Way
☐Chemin de randonnée Européen E2 - Alpes Côte d'Azur, 630km
☐European long distance path E2 - Wallonien, 146km
☐European walking route E2, UK, South East England, 216km
☐Pretoro - Sentiero E3 Colle dell'Angelo, 4.7km
☐Pietre bianche - Colli bassi, 2.3km
☐Entenpfuhl 2, 6.8km
☐Rundwanderweg Erbach 2:, 7.6km
☐E2 - Kronwinkl, 3.8km
☐Eijsden-Margraten E2 Bloesemroute 1, 4.5km
☐Via Francigena - part 01 Great Britain, 76km
☐GR 35 E2 Altxonbide ibilbidea: Bidegoian - Zaldibia, 22km
☐GR 286 E2 Araindarri Hiru tenpluen ibilbidea: Loiola - Antio, 15km
Opinions
Rate
8.0 |
2 votes |
No 4. in Luxembourg
- Joke ter Weele October 2011
- Rate 8
- Positive Well marked and laid out, through lovely woodlands, valleys and villages
- Henk Nouws October 2011
- Rate 8
- Positive I walked parts in Luxembourg and France. These parts used interesting trails.
Map
Links
Facts
- GR 5 / E 2 (Noordzee - Rivièrapad) (Dutch)
They hiked many parts of GR5 / E2: Lumaj Hiking Blog.
- Ramblers in Great Britain
Excellent page on the British sections of the E2 trail by the Ramblers organisation in the U.K.
- E-Route 2 UK Section - Dover to Kirk Yetholm - LDWA Long Distance Paths
Fact sheet for the E2 in Brittain: maps, accommodation, downloads.
- E2 – Outdoor Wiki (German)
Good overview.
- European Ramblers Association
General E2 description on the official website of ERA.
- LDWA Long Distance Paths - E-Routes
Overview of the E-routes in the United Kingdom.
- Wandelroute E2 - Wikipedia (Dutch)
Dutch Wiki page.
- Wikipedia
Short overview of E2 with general info.
- Internationale routes | Wandelnet (Dutch)
Short intro to the E-paths running through The Netherlands (E2, E8, E9, E11).
Reports
- GR 5: Hoek van Holland - Nice [www.gr5.info] (Dutch)
Iwan Oprins finished the GR5 in 2009, and maintains a very informative website. The entire trail is photographed. Including GPS waypoints, maps, accommodation etc.
- Hike the GR5 and GR 52
Website dedicated to this popular trail.
- Walking the E2 European Path
Andrew Stephenson walked ALL of the E2 (Western route) in the UK, from Stranraer to Dover (about 810 miles), and this is his excellent account!
- GR 5A/ GR 5 -Zu Fuß von der Nordsee in die Eifel (German)
Im Sommer 2009 von De Panne (Belgien) über der GR 5A, den GR 5(E2) und den Krönungsweg in die Eifel.
- GR5-E2 - Maastricht to Nice: Our Story part 1
Concise description of the GR5. "It took us two and a half month".
- Santiago Route | Ton de Maagt
Ton de Maagt's hike from Netherlands to Santiago, partly using GR5 / E2.
Guides and maps
Lodging
Organisations
- FFRP - Federation Francaise de la Randonnée Pédestre (French)
Official website of the French Federation for Long Distance Hiking. Offering all you need for hiking in France. The FFRP maintains all long distance hikes - Grandes Randonnées - in France. The organisation participates in the European Ramblers' Organisation.
- GR Sentiers - Les Sentiers de Grande Randonnée (French)
Long Distance Paths Association of French speaking Belgium, Wallonia, giving short info on all trails in Belgium, a clickable map, a webshop to order guidebooks and maps online. Some info on lodging too. The organisation is member of the European Ramblers' Organisation and takes care of the E-Paths in Wallonia.
- Grote Routepaden (Dutch)
Long Distance Paths Association of Flanders / Belgium. giving short info on all trails in Belgium, a clickable map, a webshop to order guidebooks and maps online. Online info on lodging is for members only. The Stichting Grote Routepaden is member of the European Ramblers' Association, and they are responsible for the Belgium trajects of E2, E3 and E9.
- Long Distance Walkers’ Association
As they write: "The LDWA is an Association of people with the common interest of walking long distances in rural, mountainous or moorland areas." The Long Distance Walking Association is member of the European Ramblers' Association.
- Stichting Wandelnet (Dutch)
The Dutch Long Distance Hikes are called LAW, the equivalent of the French GR. This organisation - Stichting Wandelnet - plans and maintains the paths, and publishes the guides of the 40 or so long distance hikes. Recent route changes can be found here. There is a section with all trails loaded in Google Maps. Stichting Wandelnet is member of the European Ramblers' Organisation and maintans the E-paths in The Netherlands.
- Département du Tourisme // Luxembourg - Ministry of Tourism
In Luxembourg, the trail system is maintained by the Ministry of Tourism. The Ministry is member of the European Ramblers' Organisation.
Tour operators
GPS
Other
Books
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Ely, Wisbech & Downham Market OS Landranger Active Map 143 (waterproof)
- Cambridgeshire around Ely, Wisbech and Downham Market, including part of the E2 European Long-distance Path, on a waterproof and tear-resistant OS Active version of map No. 143 from the Ordnance Survey’s Landranger series at 1:50,000, with contoured and GPS compatible topographic mapping plus tourist information.MOBILE DOWNLOADS: As well as the... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- North York Moors Western OS Explorer Map OL26 (paper)
- The western part of the North York Moors National Park on a detailed topographic and GPS compatible map OL26, paper version, from the Ordnance Survey’s 1:25,000 Explorer series. Coverage extends from Ampleforth in the south northwards to Saltburn-by-the-Sea, and from Ingleby Arncliffe to Danby, Castleton and Hutton-le-Hole, and includes... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
Netherlands
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Aldershot, Guildford, Camberley & Haslemere OS Landranger Map 186 (paper)
- Aldershot and Guildford area, including the northern part of the South Downs National Park and a section of the North Downs Way / E2 European Long-distance Path, on a paper version of map No. 186 from the Ordnance Survey’s Landranger series at 1:50,000, with contoured and GPS compatible topographic mapping plus tourist information.MOBILE... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
Netherlands
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Oxford, Chipping Norton & Bicester OS Landranger Active Map 164 (waterproof)
- Oxford area, including sections of the Thames Path and the E2 European Long-distance Path, on a waterproof and tear-resistant OS Active version of map No. 164 from the Ordnance Survey’s Landranger series at 1:50,000, with contoured and GPS compatible topographic mapping plus tourist information.MOBILE DOWNLOADS: As well as the physical edition... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Peterborough, Market Deeping & Chatteris OS Landranger Map 142 (paper)
- The area around Peterborough, Market Deeping and Chatteris, including the Fens of the North and Middle Levels with part of the E2 European Long-distance Path, on a paper version of map No. 142 from the Ordnance Survey’s Landranger series at 1:50,000, with contoured and GPS compatible topographic mapping plus tourist information.MOBILE... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
Netherlands
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Worcester, The Malverns, Evesham & Tewkesbury OS Landranger Active Map 150 (waterproof)
- The area around Worcester, Great Malvern, Evesham and Tewkesbury, including the Malvern Hills and part of the Cotswold Way / E2 European Long-distance Path, on a waterproof and tear-resistant OS Active version of map No. 150 from the Ordnance Survey’s Landranger series at 1:50,000, with contoured and GPS compatible topographic mapping plus... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Cheviot Hills - Jedburgh & Wooler OS Explorer Active Map OL16 (waterproof)
- The Cheviot Hills on a detailed topographic and GPS compatible map OL16, waterproof version, from the Ordnance Survey’s 1:25,000 Explorer series. Coverage includes Jedburgh, Woolmer, part of the Northumberland National Park, the peaks of The Cheviot, Corby Pike, Cold Law, Scrathy Holes and Windy Gyle, Catcleugh Reservoir, sections of the... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Colchester, Halstead & Maldon OS Landranger Map 168 (paper)
- Colchester, Halstead and Maldon area, including part of the E2 European Long-distance Path, on a paper version of map No. 168 from the Ordnance Survey’s Landranger series at 1:50,000, with contoured and GPS compatible topographic mapping plus tourist information.MOBILE DOWNLOADS: As well as the physical edition of the map, each Landranger title... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
Netherlands
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Ely, Wisbech & Downham Market OS Landranger Map 143 (paper)
- Cambridgeshire around Ely, Wisbech and Downham Market, including part of the E2 European Long-distance Path, on a paper version of map No. 143 from the Ordnance Survey’s Landranger series at 1:50,000, with contoured and GPS compatible topographic mapping plus tourist information.MOBILE DOWNLOADS: As well as the physical edition of the map, each... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
Netherlands
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick & Banbury OS Landranger Active Map 151 (waterproof)
- The area between Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick and Banbury, including the northern part of the Cotswold Hills and part of the Cotswold Way / E2 European Long-distance Path, on a waterproof and tear-resistant OS Active version of map No. 151 from the Ordnance Survey’s Landranger series at 1:50,000, with contoured and GPS compatible topographic... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- North York Moors Western OS Explorer Active Map OL26 (waterproof)
- The western part of the North York Moors National Park on a detailed topographic and GPS compatible map OL26, waterproof version, from the Ordnance Survey’s 1:25,000 Explorer series. Coverage extends from Ampleforth in the south northwards to Saltburn-by-the-Sea, and from Ingleby Arncliffe to Danby, Castleton and Hutton-le-Hole, and includes... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Thames Estuary, Rochester & Southend-on-Sea OS Landranger Map 178 (paper)
- Thames Estuary with Rochester and Southend-on-Sea, including a section of the North Downs Way / E2 European Long-Distance Path, on a paper version of map No. 178 from the Ordnance Survey’s Landranger series at 1:50,000, with contoured and GPS compatible topographic mapping plus tourist information.MOBILE DOWNLOADS: As well as the physical... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
Netherlands
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Ipswich, The Naze & Clacton-on-Sea OS Landranger Active Map 169 (waterproof)
- Ipswich with Harwich and The Naze area, including part of the E2 European Long-distance Path, on a waterproof and tear-resistant OS Active version of map No. 169 from the Ordnance Survey’s Landranger series at 1:50,000, with contoured and GPS compatible topographic mapping plus tourist information.MOBILE DOWNLOADS: As well as the physical... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Worcester, The Malverns, Evesham & Tewkesbury OS Landranger Map 150 (paper)
- The area around Worcester, Great Malvern, Evesham and Tewkesbury, including the Malvern Hills and part of the Cotswold Way / E2 European Long-distance Path, on a paper version of map No. 150 from the Ordnance Survey’s Landranger series at 1:50,000, with contoured and GPS compatible topographic mapping plus tourist information.MOBILE DOWNLOADS:... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
Netherlands
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Cambridge, Newmarket & Saffron Walden OS Landranger Active Map 154 (waterproof)
- Parts of Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Essex with Cambridge, Newmarket and Saffron Walden, including part of the E2 European Long-distance path, on a waterproof and tear-resistant OS Active version of map No. 154 from the Ordnance Survey’s Landranger series at 1:50,000, with contoured and GPS compatible topographic mapping plus tourist... Read more
Maps
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Luxembourg South
- One of two topographic survey maps of Luxembourg at 1:50,000, with contours at 10-metres intervals and additional relief shading. An overprint highlights long-distance footpaths, including the GR5 (E-2), cycle routes, and various places of interest, including campsites. The map covers an area of approximately 53 x 43 km / 33 x 27 miles. Map... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Luxembourg North
- One of two topographic survey maps of Luxembourg at 1:50,000, with contours at 10-metres intervals and additional relief shading. An overprint highlights long-distance footpaths, including the GR5 (E-2), cycle routes, and various places of interest, including campsites. The map covers an area of approximately 53 x 43 km / 33 x 27 miles. Map... Read more
Forum
- Des de Moor 2015-08-02 09:33:54
No ferry between Dover and Oostende since 2003!
- Despite what's shown above, the ferry service between Dover and Oostende hasn't operated since 2003. There is a ferry from Ramsgate, an extra walk up the coast from Dover, to Oostende, but it doesn't accept foot passengers. Your page should acknowledge this, and also suggest possible alternative routings for the E2, for example via Dover - Calais which has a very frequent ferry service (when not disrupted as at time of writing).
- Traildino 2015-08-10 23:26:24
- Thanks for your help. I'll change the text accordingly.
- urabin 2015-01-31 15:39:31
de Hoek van Holand à mastricht en vélo par le GR5
- Bonjour,
afin d'organiser mon parcours sur le gr5, j'aimerais sa voir si quelqu'un peut me renseigner?
J'aimerais savoir si il est possible de louer un vélo à la gare de Hoek van Holland et de le rendre quelques jours plus tard à la gare de mastricht pour ensuite continuer à pied vers Nice;
Je cherche aussi topo guide Partie hollandaise, wallonne et lux.
Merci pour vos réponse? -
- Traildino 2015-01-31 16:30:03
- Oui, on peux louer un "OV-fiets" a gare A, et le rendre a gare B quelques jours plus tard. Mais attention: louer un vélo implique passer une montagne de bureaucratie. Contacter le NS bien a l'avance par e-mail ou telephone: http://www.ov-fiets.nl. Les topo guides: suivre les liens ici dessous.
- Helen Dickson 2012-03-10 15:12:50
E2
- Does anyone know of a guide book for the Netherlands and Belgium part of the E2 please? I'm hoping to walk it in 2013.
-
- Henk Nouws 2012-03-11 09:47:29
- Hi Helen. If you arrive in Hoek van Holland, you will follow the Deltapad to Bergen op Zoom. There is a Dutch Guidebook with excellent maps. Then follow the GR5. Here is the guidebook for that part: http://www.groteroutepaden.be/nl/route/45/gr-5-noordzee---middelandse-zee---deel-vlaanderen.html For the Wallonian part in Belgium, check the books section in Traildino | GR5. So: three guides.
- Henk Nouws 2012-03-11 09:52:06
- If you arrive in Oostende, you will follow the GR5a South to Antwerpen. You'll find the Guide in Traildino | GR5a. Check the Description section above for the connecting trails. From Zoersel onwards, you will need the two GR5 guides listed in my answer above.
Hope this helps you out!
- aqdennis 2013-05-08 09:38:26
- Please note that since the end of 2012 the Dutch Deltapad (LAW 5-1) and the GR5 have been separated. The Deltapad goes from Hoek van Holland to Sluis on the Dutch-Belgium border, close to the coast. The GR5 coincides with the Deltapad until Goedereede where the GR5 goes inland to Bergen op Zoom.
When entering Goedereede along the canal arriving at the small bridge over the canal there is no indication that this is the point where LAW 5-1 and GR5 part. There is a red/white sign going straight ahead, but this is in fact the LAW 5-1. For the GR5 turn left, following the road towards the bus stop and the main road. Close to the bus stop there is a red/white sign, but it is not specifically indicated one's now on the GR5.