GR5-E2: The route
Officially the E2 (North Sea - Mediterranean) goes from Hook of Holland in The Netherlands to Nice in France. The entire route is 2600 km (1615 miles) long. On its way it passes the following countries:
- The Netherlands,
- Belgium,
- Luxemburg,
- France and
- Switzerland
- the Haute Fagnes,
- Vosges,
- Jura and
- Alps
Some history of the GR5
The systematic development of long-distance walking in France dates from the immediate post-war period, when two important societies - the Touring Club de Fhance and the Club Alpin Français - began using substantial numbers of volunteers to establish a network of foothpaths covering the whole country. These routes became known as 'Sentiers de Grande Randonnée' - 'long-distance foothpaths' - soon abbreviated to the simple 'GR', each linear or circular route having its own identifying number. The principal aim of the GR paths was to make the best possible use of paths and tracks barred to motoised vehicles, and to reveal rural France in all its richness and variety combined with enjoyable physical activity. Standardised waymarking (
) was designed to encourage familiarity and confidence in walking.One of the first foothpaths to be planned and established was the GR5, crossing the whole eastern France from the Luxemburg frontier to the Mediterranean coast on the Côte d'Azur, via the principal mountain massifs - the Vosges, Jura and Alps. The route was later extended through Belgium and Holland to Hook of Holland.
Completian of the route book took a long time, but the most important section, across the Alps - already well-known to climbers, and using traditional tracks familiar to shepherds, itinerant traders, and armies on the march - was soon mapped out and established. The Savoy section of the GR5 was opened to walkers in 1955, extending in due course to Nice and Menton on the Côte d'Azur.
Last modified August 1999