E2 European long distance path

2025-02-20T23:55:43Z

2600:1700:6180:6290:A83F:FF0:F889:8713:

{{Short description|Walking path in Europe}}
{{About-confused|the hiking trail in [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], [[United Kingdom|Britain]], the [[Netherlands]], and [[Luxembourg]]|European route E002}}
[[Image:Map of the European Long Distance Path E2.png|thumb|right|The European walking route E2]]

The '''E2 European long distance path''' or '''E2 path''' is a 4850 km (3010-mile) series of long-distance footpaths that is intended to run from [[Galway]] in [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] to [[France]]'s [[Mediterranean]] coast and currently runs through [[Scotland]], [[England]], [[Belgium]], [[Luxembourg]] and [[France]], with an alternative midsection equally designated via the [[Netherlands]] and east coast of England. It is one of the network of [[European long-distance paths]].

The paths are aimed at [[hiking|walkers]]; alternative routes exist in some parts for [[horseback riding|horse riders]] and [[cyclists]].

== Route ==

The route has two alternative midsections, reuniting in north-east England and northern Belgium: the first devised route includes [[Oxford]], [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]], [[Bruges]] and [[Antwerp]] and does not include the southern part of the Dutch coast. The corollary midsection, listed as the alternative route, includes [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]], [[Lincoln, England|Lincoln]], [[Cambridge]] and [[Bergen op Zoom]].

In Belgium the route starts from [[Ostend]] on the GR5A (Grote Route 5A) via Bruges and [[Antwerp]]. After a few kilometres in the mid-northern municipality (district) of [[Zoersel]] in Belgium it joins the [[GR 5]] (Grande Randonnée 5), which continues to Luxembourg at [[Ouren]]. In Luxembourg the E2 follows a series of paths to Schengen after which it joins the GR5 in France. At [[La Cure]] a short section in Switzerland begins, where the route is signposted to [[Nyon]], or La Cure if heading north. From Nyon ferries cross [[Lake Geneva]] to [[St Gingolph]] where the GR5 forms the remainder of the route through the French Alps to finish at [[Nice]].

The highest point of the route is at [[Col de l'Iseran]] at {{convert|2770|m}}.

[[Image:e2e3sign.jpg|thumb|Sign on the path of the E2 near Vianden, Luxembourg]]

== Ireland ==

The Irish section of the route is not yet open.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120212121622/http://www.ramblers.org.uk/info/paths/name/e/e2 ramblers.org], Irish section not yet open.</ref>

== United Kingdom ==

In Scotland the route starts from [[Stranraer]] and follows the [[Southern Upland Way]], to [[Melrose, Scottish Borders|Melrose]], and [[St. Cuthbert's Way]], from Melrose to [[Kirk Yetholm]], and on to the [[Anglo-Scottish border]] via the [[Pennine Way]]. An alternative route from Melrose is being developed to [[John o'Groats]] via the Pentland Way, [[John Muir Way]], [[West Highland Way]], [[Great Glen Way]] and [[John o' Groats Trail]].

In England the route continues on the Pennine Way from the border to [[Standedge]], the Oldham Way from Standedge to [[Mossley]], the Tameside Trail from Mossley to [[Broadbottom]], the [[Etherow]]/Goyt Valley Way from Broadbottom to [[Compstall]], the [[Goyt Way]] from Compstall to [[Disley]], the [[Peak Forest Canal]] from Disley to [[Marple, Greater Manchester|Marple]], the [[Gritstone Trail]] from Disley to [[Rushton Spencer]], the [[Staffordshire Way]] from Rushton Spencer to [[Cannock Chase]], the [[Heart of England Way]] from Cannock Chase to [[Bourton on the Water]], the [[Oxfordshire Way]] from Bourton on the Water to [[Kirtlington]], the [[Oxford Canal]] from Kirtlington to [[Oxford]], the [[Thames Path]] from Oxford to [[Weybridge]], the [[Wey and Godalming Navigations|Wey Navigation Path]] from Weybridge to [[Guildford]], and the [[North Downs Way]] from Guildford to [[Dover]].

In England, the alternative midsection begins on the [[Pennine Way]] at [[Middleton-in-Teesdale]]. It then follows the [[Teesdale Way]], the [[Cleveland Way]], the [[Yorkshire Wolds Way]], the [[Viking Way]], the [[Hereward Way]], the [[Fen Rivers Way]], the [[Icknield Way Path]], the [[Stour Valley Path]] and the [[Essex Way]] to [[Harwich International Port]]. Urban highlights are [[Lincoln, England|Lincoln]] and [[Cambridge]].

== Netherlands ==

In the Netherlands the eastern route begins at the ferry port of [[Hook of Holland]] (where ferries from [[Harwich International Port]] arrive) and passes over islands and dams and through Bergen op Zoom on the LAW 5-1 Nederlands Kustpad. This corollary section picks up the main route at Sint Antonius, [[Zoersel]] in northern Belgium.

== Luxembourg ==

In Luxembourg the E2 follows four paths: Sentier de l’ Our, Sentier Maurice Cosyn, Sentier de la Basse Sûr and Sentier de la Moselle. Apart from the Sentier Maurice Cosyn, they all follow river valleys. Unlike the GR5 and LAW 5-1 which are waymarked by red and white stripes, the paths in Luxembourg are marked with yellow circles in the north and yellow rectangles in the south.

<gallery widths="354" heights="595">
Europa wandel E2 GR5 Brit overzichtskaart.svg
</gallery>

<gallery widths="354" heights="709">
europa_wandel_E2_GR5_Continent.svg
</gallery>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://hiking.waymarkedtrails.org/#route?id=1956169 Waymarked Trails]
* [http://www.traildino.com/trace/continents-Europe/countries-United_Kingdom/trails-E2 ''E2'' - map and information by traildino]
* [https://www.era-ewv-ferp.org/e-paths/e2/ European Ramblers Association]

{{European walking route}}
{{Transport in Surrey}}
[[Category:European long-distance paths]]
[[Category:Long-distance footpaths in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Hiking trails in France]]
[[Category:Hiking trails in Switzerland]]

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E2 European long distance path