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
☐(no name), 347km
☐European long distance path E2 - Wallonien, 146km
☐Eifgenbach Rundweg E2 "Auf alten Pfaden", 7km
☐(no name), 5.4km
☐Thermenbäckerei Runde (Bewegungsarena Linsberg Asia), 2.6km
☐E2 - Variante, 8.1km
☐Rundwanderweg Erbach 2
☐Ortswanderweg Eschau 3, 2.8km
☐E2-oude route, 2km
☐Ortswanderweg Eschau 2, 4.1km
☐Endorf Rundweg E2, 7.4km
☐Arnfelser Wege - Eichberg - E2, 9.9km
☐European walking route E2, UK, South East England, 216km
☐(no name), 2.8km
☐(no name), 2.7km
☐Rundwanderweg Eschenrod E2, 6.3km
☐Rundwanderweg E2, 1.3km
☐Via Romea Francigena - part Great Britain, 73km
☐Erfttalweg E 2.Etappe, 25km
☐GR 285 E2 Mendibai ibilbidea (Azpeitia-Tolosa), 25km
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
- Bury St Edmunds, Sudbury & Stowmarket OS Landranger Active Map 155 (waterproof)
- Suffolk around Bury St Edmunds, Sudbury and Stowmarket, including part of the E2 European Long-distance path, on a waterproof and tear-resistant OS Active version of map No. 155 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... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Maidstone, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks & Tonbridge OS Landranger Map 188 (paper)
- Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells and the High Weald area, including a section of the North Downs Way / E2 European Long-distance Path, on a paper version of map No. 188 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
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Ipswich, The Naze & Clacton-on-Sea OS Landranger Map 169 (paper)
- Ipswich with Harwich and The Naze area, including part of the E2 European Long-distance Path, on a paper 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 edition of the map, each Landranger... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
Netherlands
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Thames Estuary, Rochester & Southend-on-Sea OS Landranger Active Map 178 (waterproof)
- Thames Estuary with Rochester and Southend-on-Sea, including a section of the North Downs Way / E2 European Long-Distance Path, on a waterproof and tear-resistant OS Active 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... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Cambridge - Newmarket, Saffron Walden OS Landranger 154
- Parts of Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Essex with Cambridge, Newmarket and Saffron Walden, including part of the E2 European Long-distance path, on a paper 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 information.MOBILE DOWNLOADS: As well as the... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
Netherlands
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Cheltenham, Cirencester & Stow-on-the-Wold OS Landranger Map 163 (paper)
- Cheltenham and Cirencester area, including sections of the Thames Path, the Cotswold Way and the E2 European Long-distance Path, on a paper version of map No. 163 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
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Bury St Edmunds, Sudbury & Stowmarket OS Landranger Map 155 (paper)
- Suffolk around Bury St Edmunds, Sudbury and Stowmarket, including part of the E2 European Long-distance path, on a paper version of map No. 155 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,... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
Netherlands
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Birmingham, Wolverhampton & The Black Country OS Landranger Active Map 139 (waterproof)
- Birmingham with the surrounding area including the Black Country, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Solihull, Stourbridge, Bromsgrove and a section of the E2 European Long-distance Path on a waterproof and tear-resistant OS Active version of map No. 139 from the Ordnance Survey’s Landranger series at 1:50,000, with contoured and GPS compatible... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Reading & Windsor - Henley-on-Thames & Bracknell OS Landranger Map 175 (paper)
- Reading – Windsor area, including a section of the Thames Path / E2 European Long-distance Path, on a paper version of map No. 175 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... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
Netherlands
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Maidstone, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks & Tonbridge OS Landranger Active Map 188 (waterproof)
- Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells and the High Weald area, including a section of the North Downs Way / E2 European Long-distance Path, on a waterproof and tear-resistant OS Active version of map No. 188 from the Ordnance Survey’s Landranger series at 1:50,000, with contoured and GPS compatible topographic mapping plus tourist information.MOBILE... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Kettering, Corby, Market Harborough & Stamford OS Landranger Active Map 141 (waterproof)
- The area around Kettering, Corby, Market Harborough and Stamford, including Rockingham Forest and part of the E2 European Long-distance Path, on a waterproof and tear-resistant OS Active version of map No. 141 from the Ordnance Survey’s Landranger series at 1:50,000, with contoured and GPS compatible topographic mapping plus tourist... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Cheviot Hills - Jedburgh & Wooler OS Explorer Map OL16 (paper)
- The Cheviot Hills on a detailed topographic and GPS compatible map OL16, paper 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 Pennine Way... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
Netherlands
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Canterbury, East Kent, Dover & Margate OS Landranger Map 179 (paper)
- Eastern Kent with Canterbury, Dover and Margate, including sections of the North Downs Way and the E2 and E9 European Long-Distance Paths, on a paper version of map No. 179 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
De Zwerver
Netherlands
Netherlands
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Cheltenham, Cirencester & Stow-on-the-Wold OS Landranger Active Map 163 (waterproof)
- Cheltenham and Cirencester area, including sections of the Thames Path, the Cotswold Way and the E2 European Long-distance Path, on a waterproof and tear-resistant OS Active version of map No. 163 from the Ordnance Survey’s Landranger series at 1:50,000, with contoured and GPS compatible topographic mapping plus tourist information.MOBILE... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Stanfords
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Kettering, Corby, Market Harborough & Stamford OS Landranger Map 141 (paper)
- The area around Kettering, Corby, Market Harborough and Stamford, including Rockingham Forest and part of the E2 European Long-distance Path, on a paper version of map No. 141 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
De Zwerver
Netherlands
Netherlands
Maps
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
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
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.