Pot
The E2 follows national and local trails to take the walker through a diverse collection of the finest landscapes in the British Isles: from empty mountains in the northern part of the route to walks by rivers such as the Stour and mighty Thames; from the flat farmland of the fens to the gently undulating Cotswolds. Ancient castles and cathedrals are visited, as are historic towns such as Oxford, Cambridge, Lincoln, and Ely (and some equally old Pubs). There are two possible starting (or finishing) points: Stranraer and John o’Groats, both in Scotland (see map below).
Stranraer was chosen as ferries arrive from Belfast in Ireland at the local port. In the future, it is intended to continue the trail through Ireland to Galway. From Stranraer, the E2 follows the Southern Upland Way across the beautiful mountains of Southern Scotland on often remote, moorland paths.
John o’Groats, the alternate starting point, is at the far northeast of Scotland. From here, the E2 follows the John o’Groats Trail, often along rugged cliff tops, to Inverness, where it joins the Great Glen Way. This latter trail crosses Scotland above the long expanse of Loch Ness (famous for its monster) and beside the Caledonian Canal. At Fort William, the E2 continues down the famous West Highland Way, frequently cited as one of the best hikes in the world. Leaving the crowds on this trail, the E2 takes the John Muir Way through the lowlands of Scotland, often on the Forth & Clyde Canal, passing the “Falkirk Wheel”, the Forth Railway Bridge, and the remains of the Roman Antonine Wall. At Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh, with its castle, royal palace, shops, and transport links, the E2 follows the leafy, green Water of Leith Walkway, from which the E2 joins the Pentland Way via the E2 Link up Poet’s Glen. After an impressive ridge walk, the E2 leaves the Pentlands heading south on the Cross Borders Drove Road. Close to the ancient Traquair House, the John o’Groats branch of the E2 joins that coming from Stranraer, continuing on the Southern Upland Way to the border town of Melrose.
At Melrose, famed for its Abbey ruins, the E2 switches to St Cuthbert’s Way, for a gentler trail with a religious theme to link up with the Pennine Way at Kirk Yetholm. This is the oldest of Britain’s National Trails and runs down the mountains that form the backbone of Britain, starting with a 43-kilometre ridge walk without accommodation over the Cheviot Hills beside the border between Scotland and England. Later, the trail follows a part of Hadrian’s Wall (photograph above), built by the Romans in the 2nd stoletju, da preprečijo vojskujoča se plemena na severu.
After the dramatic glacial valley of High Cup Nick and the waterfall of High Force the E2 splits into two alternatives at the town of Middleton-in-Teesdale, one leading to the port of Harwich (to join up with the Netherlands section of the E2) and the other to Dover (continuing on the E2 in Calais, France or Ostend in Belgium).
The eastern branch to Harwich and the Hook of Holland
The Harwich branch follows the River Tees from the mountains of the Pennines to the urban centres around Middlesbrough, where a series of bridges illustrate its rich, industrial heritage. From the river, there is a link to the Cleveland Way on the North Yorkshire Moors. The E2 follows this National Trail down the coast of Yorkshire, passing seaside towns such as Whitby, whose Abbey inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and Scarborough. At Filey, the E2 heads west on the Yorkshire Wolds Way, experiencing the gentle hills and dry valleys of the chalk landscape, ending at the mighty Humber River. After crossing the river on a long, graceful suspension bridge, the E2 continues on the Viking Way through the English countryside, visiting the historic town of Lincoln, the stained glass in its cathedral is especially splendid. Reaching the large artificial lake of Rutland Water, the E2 changes direction by joining the Hereward Way, heading east into the Fens. Once a marshland where Hereward the Wake fought the Normans a thousand years ago, the Fens have now been drained to create fertile, flat farmland with wide skies and impressive sunsets. From the city of Ely, which has possibly the finest cathedral in England, the E2 follows the Fen Rivers Way to the ancient university town of Cambridge. After short sections of the Roman Road path and the Icknield Way, the E2 joins the Stour Valley Path. This leads through meadows painted by landscape painters Gainsborough and Constable. The final section is on the Essex Way from which the E2 crosses fields to the Harwich Ferry Terminal and the boat to the Netherlands and the next stage of the E2.
The central and southern branch to Dover and Calais
The Dover branch continues down the Pennine Way from Middleton-in-Teesdale via the highest pub in Britain at Tan Hill and the extensive limestone pavement and cliffs of Malham Cove. Shortly after the ridge of Standedge, the E2 skips the last bit of the Pennine Way and follows various trails over hills and valleys around the edge of the mighty conurbation of Manchester and its satellite towns. The E2 passes by villages built of blackened sandstone, old mill buildings, and canals from the time of the Industrial Revolution. The Gritstone Trail then takes the E2 south along ridges with stunning views over the Cheshire plain, by a stately home and a folly called “White Nelly”. A gentler landscape follows on the Staffordshire Way with sections of river valley and canal. Further south, the Heart of England Way leads the E2 through unspoilt English countryside into the Cotswolds, which is officially designated an “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty”. Its rolling hills are formed of Jurassic limestone, quarried to build villages of honey coloured stone that are characteristic of the area. From the popular tourist town of Bourton-on-the-Water, the Oxfordshire Way heads east to join the Oxford Canal at Kirtlington. A delightful walk follows along the canal through Oxford, an ancient university city of dreaming spires and the setting for many books, and a visit to the pubs of the town is essential. Another National Trail, the Thames Path, follows the mighty river by water meadows and towns such as Henley, famous for its boat race (watch people practice their rowing skills as you walk down the river) and Eton, known for its school, in the shadow of Windsor Castle. Leaving the River Thames at Weybridge, a section of the towpath on the Wey Navigation links the E2 to the town of Guildford. Finally, the North Downs Way National Trail follows the chalk escarpments and wooded hills east, ending at the white cliffs of Dover, where ferries leave for France.
Izhodiščes
Stranraer or John o’Groats, in Scotland
Končna točkas
Harwich or Dover, in England
Po katerih mestih poteka E-pot
From Stranraer
Stranraer, Sanquhar.
From John o’Groats
Wick, Helmsdale, Dornoch, Tain, Inverness, Drumnadrochit, Fort William, Kinlochleven, Strathbane, Kirkintilloch, Falkirk, Bo’ness, Queensferry, Edinburgh, Peebles.
Vse variante
Melrose, Alston, Dufton, Middleton-in-Teesdale.
Podružnica Harwich
Barnard Castle, Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough, Guisborough, Whitby, Scarborough, Filey, Hull, Horncastle, Lincoln, Stamford, Peterborough, Whittlesey, March, Ely, Cambridge, Sudbury, Harwich.
Podružnica Dover
Hawes, Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Malham, Gargrave, Marple, Disley, Uttoxeter, Lichfield, Henley-in-Arden, Alcester, Chipping Campden, Bourton-on-the-Water, Oxford, Abingdon, Wallingford, Goring, Reading, Henley-on-Thames, Marlow, Maidenhead, Eton, Staines, Chertsey, Guildford, Dover.
dolžina
Iz Stranraerja:
Harwich Branch – 1351 km (845 miles)
Dover Branch – 1407 km (879 miles)
From John o’Groats:
Harwich Branch – 1775 km (1109 miles)
Dover Branch – 1831 km (1144 miles)
Zemeljska pot E-poti
Celoten pregled je na voljo na spletni strani Združenja pohodnikov na dolge razdalje, ldwa.org.uk/ldp/public/e_routes.php, although only members can download the GPX or similar files for their navigational devices. If you are planning to walk the E2 in the UK, the inexpensive membership is recommended, however, GPX tracks for most of the tracks the E2 follows are either available from the following websites: Waymarked Trails hiking.waymarkedtrails.org/, Walking Englishman walkingenglishman.com/ldp/ldplist.html, GPS poti gps-routes.co.uk/, or those listed below.
Naslednja spletna mesta ponujajo podrobnosti o vsakem odseku poti, številna imajo opise dnevnih etap, proge GPX, ki so na voljo za prenos, podrobnosti o namestitvi in povezane informacije.
From Stranraer
Stranraer to Melrose: Southern Upland Way walkhighlands.co.uk/southern-upland-way.shtml
From John o’Groats
John o’Groats to Inverness: John o’Groats Trail jogt.org.uk/
Inverness to Fort William: Great Glen Way highland.gov.uk/greatglenway/
Fort William to the junction with the John Muir Way near Strathblane: West Highland Way westhighlandway.org/
Strathblane to Edinburgh: John Muir Way johnmuirway.org/
Edinburgh to Currie: Water of Leith Walkway waterofleith.org.uk/walkway/
Currie to Glencorse Reservoir: Pentland Way E2 Link pentlandfriends.org.uk/the-pentland-way/
Glencorse Reservoir to West Linton: Pentland Way pentlandfriends.org.uk/the-pentland-way/
West Linton to Traquair: Cross Borders Drove Road ukhillwalking.com/logbook/r/?i=1494
From both starting points
Traquair to Melrose: Southern Upland Way (same as for the route from Stranraer) walkhighlands.co.uk/southern-upland-way.shtml
Melrose to Kirk Yetholm: St Cuthbert’s Way stcuthbertsway.info/
Kirk Yetholm to Middleton on Teesdale: Pennine Way nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/pennine-way/
Harwich – alternativa Hook of Holland
Middleton on Teesdale to Middlesbrough: Teesdale Way durhamcow.com/teesdale-way/
Middlesbrough to Guisborough: Tees Link walkingpages.co.uk/trails_paths/ldpteeslink.html
Guisborough to Filey: Cleveland Way nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/cleveland-way/
Filey to Humber Bridge: Yorkshire Wolds Way nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/yorkshire-wolds-way/
Cross Humber Bridge (there is a pedestrian and cycle path across the bridge)
Humber Bridge to Rutland Water: Viking Way visitlincolnshire.com/things-to-do/viking-way/
Rutland Water to Ely: Hereward Way visitely.org.uk/things-to-do/leisure-activities/walking-cycling
Ely to Cambridge: Fen Rivers Way norfolk.gov.uk/out-and-about-in-norfolk/norfolk-trails/long-distance-trails/fen-rivers-way
Cross the city of Cambridge
Cambridge to Linton: Fleam Dyke and Roman Road Walk frrfd.org.uk/the-walk/
Linton to Stretchworth: Icknield Way icknieldwaypath.co.uk/
Stretchworth to Dedham: Stour Valley Path dedhamvalestourvalley.org/visiting/visitor-information/visitor-guides/stour-valley-path/
Dedham to Ramsey (near Harwich): Essex Way essexhighways.org/uploads/files/essex_way_booklet.pdf
Ramsey to Harwich International Ferry Terminal: Footpath north across fields, then east on Ray Lane
Doverska alternativa
Middleton-in-Teesdale to Standedge: Pennine Way nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/pennine-way/
Standedge to Mossley: Oldham Way walkingenglishman.com/ldp/oldhamway.html
Mossley to Broadbottom: Tameside Trail tameside.gov.uk/countryside/tamesidetrail
Broadbottom to Compstall: Etherow – Goyt Valley Way stockport.gov.uk/walks-and-trails/etherow-goyt-valley-way#
Compstall to Marple: Goyt Way cheshirenow.co.uk/goyt_way.html
Marple to Disley: Peak Forest Canal canalrivertrust.org.uk/canals-and-rivers/peak-forest-canal
Disley to Rushton Spencer: Gritstone Trail cheshireeast.gov.uk/leisure,_culture_and_tourism/ranger_service/countryside_sites/the_gritstone_trail/gritstone-trail.aspx
Rushton Spencer to Cannock Chase: Staffordshire Way staffordshire.gov.uk/environment/RightsofWay/distancewalks/ROWPromotedRoutesMonthlyWalks.aspx
Cannock Chase to Bourton-on-the-Water: Heart of England Way heartofenglandway.org/
Bourton-on-the-Water to Kirtlington: Oxfordshire Way oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/environment-and-planning/countryside/walks-and-rides/oxfordshire-way
Kirtlington to Oxford: south on Oxford Canal, canalrivertrust.org.uk/canals-and-rivers/oxford-canal
Oxford to Weybridge: Thames Path nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/thames-path/
Weybridge to Guildford: Wey Navigation mattwalkwild.com/how-to-walk-the-river-wey-in-surrey-uk/
Guildford to Dover: North Downs Way nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/north-downs-way/trail-information/
Odgovorne organizacije
Društvo pohodnikov na dolge proge ldwa.org.uk/ in Ramblers GB ramblers.org.uk/
Publikacije
One publication is listed for each trail; however, for the most popular trails, several others, equally good or better, may exist. Most guidebooks are available from Amazon or similar online bookstores. Where no website address is given. For less popular trails, no guidebooks may be available.
Southern Uplands Way: “Walking the Southern Uplands Way: Scotland’s coast to coast trail” by Alan Castle, published by Cicerone
St Cuthbert’s Way: “St Cuthbert’s Way: the official guide” by Ron Shaw & Roger Smith, published by Birlinn
John o’Groats Trail: “Walking the John o’Groats Trail” by Andy Robinson & Jay Wilson, published by Cicerone
Great Glen Way: “Great Glen Way” by Jim Manthorpe, published by Trailblazer
West Highland Way: “Trekking the West Highland Way” published by Knife Edge Outdoor Guides
John Muir Way: “John Muir Way” by Sandra Bardwell & Jacquetta Megarry, published by Rucksack Readers
Pentland Way: “Guide to the Pentland Way” by Bob Paterson & Andrew Marsden, published by Friends of the Pentlands, pentlandfriends.org.uk/publications101/guide-to-the-pentland-way/
Pennine Way: “Pennine Way” by Stuart Greig, published by Trailblazer
Teesdale Way: “The Teesdale Way” by Martin Collins, updated by Paddy Dillon, published by Cicerone
Cleveland Way and Yorkshire Wolds Way: “Walking the Cleveland Way and Yorkshire Wolds Way” by Paddy Dillon, published by Cicerone
Fen Rivers Way: “Fen Rivers Way” by Joe Jackson, Independently Published
Icknield Way “The Icknield Way Path: A Walkers Guide” from the Icknield Way Association icknieldwaypath.co.uk/guidebook/
Stour Valley Path: “The Stour Valley Path” by Joe Jackson, Independently Published, available from Amazon.co.uk
Essex Way: “Walking in Essex” by Peter Aylmer, published by Cicerone
Heart of England Way “The Heart of England Way” by Stephen J Cross, published by Sigma Press
Oxfordshire Way: “The Oxfordshire Way” by Nick Moon, published by Walking Books, walkingbooks.co.uk/acatalog/The-Oxfordshire-Way-2517.html
Thames Path: “Thames Path” by Joel Newton, published by Trailblazer
North Downs Way: “North Downs Way: National Trail Guide” by Colin Saunders, published by Aurum Press
Zemljevidi
Ordnance Survey of Great Britain (OS) ordnancesurvey.co.uk/ publishes excellent maps for the entire route. These show the national and local paths that the E2 follows, with any short linking sections between these trails marked “E2 European Long Distance Route”, “E2” or “E2 ELDR”. An exception to this is in Scotland, where the Ordnance Survey does not currently mark all the paths used. Ordnance Survey’s “Explorer” series maps on a 1:25,000 scale, showing features such as field boundaries, are ideal for finding the trail and for nearby facilities and sites; however, for a walk of this distance, it is impractical to carry all the maps needed. Instead, suitable maps can be loaded onto your GPS device or accessed with your smartphone using Apps such as OSMaps, although a subscription charge will likely be required. When using a GPS or smartphone for navigation, it is important when planning your trip to load or prepare a track of your intended route and load it onto your device. This makes it much easier to find your way. If using a smartphone, download the maps required as a mobile signal cannot be guaranteed.
Harvey Maps harveymaps.co.uk/ also provides maps of many of the trails followed by the E2.
Sistem označevanja
Although there are occasional E2 waymarks in Britain, the route generally follows the signs and waymarks for the individual trails cited above.
Prečkanje drugih e-poti
The E2 crosses the E8 at the Humber Bridge (Harwich branch of E2) or Broadbottom (Dover branch).
The E9 joins the Dover branch of the E2 by Folkestone.
Praktično
In general, the E2 runs close to well-populated areas with facilities available, however, there are a few remote sections in the north where extra planning is required for food and sleeping.
Nastanitev
Details of accommodation can be found on some of the websites above; otherwise, use Google Maps, Booking.com, Airbnb, and/or similar websites and Apps to find somewhere to sleep. In general, there is accommodation available each night, whether Bed & Breakfast in someone’s house, an Inn, a hostel, a hotel or, if carrying a tent, a campsite. Such places may be a few kilometres off the route. One exception is the Cheviot Mountains on the Pennine Way; however, Forest View Walkers Inn in Byrness forestviewbyrness.co.uk/ can arrange pick up and drop off. The other difficult section for accommodation is the Southern Uplands Way in Scotland, where there are some long sections without facilities. Pick-ups from nearby lodgings can be arranged, and luggage transfer and booking services are available. It is possible to sleep in “Bothies”. These are remote huts or old cottages lacking any facilities, you will need to bring a sleeping bag and food. Alternatively, wild camping is legal in Scotland away from housing. In England, it is illegal unless you have the permission of the landowner (although it can be difficult to know who they are). Nevertheless, if camping overnight in remote areas of moorland or forest, and leaving no trace, you are unlikely to attract attention. If not planning to carry camping equipment, it is important to reserve accommodation at least a few days ahead, especially in areas where there are limited options, as places may be full, especially in the peak season from Easter to the start of September. In winter months, such accommodation may also be closed.
Hrana
Outside the remote areas cited above, there are usually places to buy food or a meal each day, although options may be limited. In villages, Pubs are the most likely place to find a meal, and stopping for a coffee and cake at a village tea shop is one of the delights of walking.
Potovanja
Those walking the E2 in Britain normally do so in a number of trips, arriving and leaving the E2 at convenient transport hubs. Larger settlements have access to buses and maybe trains. Google Maps or the website Rome to Rio rome2rio.com are among the best ways to find options. The start and end points of the E2 are designed to link up with ferries, and also have train services. The exception is John o’Groats, which can be reached by a train to Wick or Thurso, followed by a local bus.
Oprema
Especially in the north, the hiker will need footwear suitable for rough and boggy terrain. Gaiters can help protect your trousers from the mud that will be encountered. Britain is known for its rain at any time of the year. Waterproof clothing and dry bags or a backpack cover will be needed to protect you and your possessions. Heat and sun may also be encountered outside winter, when sunscreen and a hat with a brim are needed. In winter, snow will affect high ground and northern areas, and special skills and equipment may be needed. Even without snow, the wet and wind in Britain can cause the onset of hypothermia on exposed ground surprisingly quickly, even when temperatures are above zero, and suitable warm and waterproof clothing is essential. A GPS device with spare batteries and a smartphone with a hiking App installed (such as OSMaps or OutdoorActive) as backup is recommended for navigation, or 1:25,000 maps, and compass, and the ability to use them. As noted above, you can find accommodation for most of the route, but you may need to consider carrying lightweight camping equipment for more remote sections or to reduce costs.
Strani
Especially for the more remote northern and mountainous sections the weather forecast should be consulted. In addition to the usual information on temperature, rain and wind the Met office also supplies weather warnings and specialist forecasts for certain mountain areas metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/uk .
Glavne turistične organizacije v Angliji in na Škotskem imajo spletne strani, ki lahko zagotovijo splošne informacije, glej visitengland.com/ in visitscotland.com/.
Splošne informacije o E2 najdete na hiking.waymarkedtrails.org/#route?id=1959505&map=6.0/53.4148/-0.5085in longdistancepaths.eu/e2/en/.
There are a number of blogs covering the E2 in Britain, including johnpone2.blogspot.com/, walk.eaglebase.co.uk/index.htmin bertv.nl/2022/09/e2-dover-chapel-le-ferne.html?view=flipcard.