European walking route E2 west, UK, South West England

The European walking route E2 west is the western variant of a 4,850-km point-to-point trail crossing the United Kingdom, Belgium, Luxembourg, France and Switzerland, with its South West England leg running roughly 320 km through the Cotswolds, the Thames Valley and the North Downs. It gains modest elevation on rolling lowland terrain and rates as a moderate, well-waymarked walk linking established National Trails.

About the European walking route E2 west, UK, South West England

The E2 is one of twelve official European long distance paths (E-paths) coordinated by the European Ramblers Association. At 4,850 km (3,010 miles) end to end, it is one of the longest waymarked routes on the continent, running from the British Isles all the way to the Mediterranean coast at Nice. Because the path is so long, walkers almost always tackle it in sections rather than as a single through-hike. The E2 was formalised by the European Ramblers Association in the 1970s as part of a network designed to knit national footpaths into a single continental web, and in 2025 an alternative northern start at John o'Groats in Scotland was added, lengthening the British contribution still further.

The route splits into two variants across Great Britain. The west route runs Stranraer (Scotland) → Birmingham → Calais (France) → Zoersel (Belgium), while the east route runs Stranraer → Harwich → Rotterdam (Netherlands) → Zoersel. Both then merge for the long continental march: Zoersel → Maastricht → Luxembourg → Lake Geneva → Nice. This guide focuses on the west route as it passes through South West England, where the E2 stitches together a chain of much-loved National Trails and regional paths.

In England the E2 is not a freshly cut trail but a clever concatenation of existing routes. From the Pennines it descends via the Gritstone Trail and the Heart of England Way, crosses Cannock Chase, then drops into the Cotswolds near Bourton-on-the-Water. From there the South West England leg follows the Oxfordshire countryside to Oxford, joins the Thames Path toward Weybridge, and climbs the North Downs Way through Guildford before reaching the Channel at Dover. For most British walkers this is the most scenic and accessible portion of the whole E2. If you are new to multi-week walking, the gentle gradients here are a fine training ground before committing to the Alpine sections further south. For Alpine inspiration, see our guide on how to hike the Theth to Valbona Trail in Albania (2026).

Route Overview & Stages

The figures below cover the South West England leg of the west route, from the Cotswold gateway at Bourton-on-the-Water to the Channel port of Dover. Distances are approximate and reflect the constituent National Trails the E2 borrows. Elevation gain is low to moderate throughout — this is lowland walking, not mountain terrain.

Tallied up, the South West England leg covers roughly 320 km with about 3,250 m of cumulative ascent. Strong walkers can complete it in 12–14 days; a relaxed schedule of 18–20 km per day stretches it to 16–18 days. Beyond Dover, the west route ferries across the Channel to Calais and continues to Zoersel in Belgium, where it rejoins the east route for the run south to Nice.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Bourton-on-the-Water — Nicknamed the "Venice of the Cotswolds" for the low stone bridges spanning the River Windrush; a classic starting point for the South West England leg.
• Oxford — The E2 threads the Oxford Canal into the heart of the university city, passing Port Meadow's grazing horses and the spires of Christ Church and Magdalen.
• Henley-on-Thames — Home of the Royal Regatta; the Thames Path here is wide, flat and lined with Georgian riverfronts and boathouses.
• Windsor Castle — The oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, visible across the water as the Thames Path skirts Windsor and Eton.
• Runnymede — The water meadow where Magna Carta was sealed in 1215, marked today by memorials and ancient oaks.
• St Martha's Hill — A 170-m sandstone knoll near Guildford crowned by a Norman church, offering the first big Surrey Hills views.
• Box Hill — A celebrated chalk viewpoint on the North Downs Way, rising sharply above the River Mole with panoramas across the Weald.
• White Cliffs of Dover — The dramatic chalk finale where the North Downs Way and the E2 meet the sea before the Channel crossing to France.

Best Time to Hike the European walking route E2 west, UK, South West England

The South West England leg is walkable year-round thanks to its low elevation and dense network of villages, but conditions vary sharply by season. The single best month is May: long daylight (around 15 hours), bluebells in the Surrey Hills beechwoods, dry chalk paths on the North Downs, and average highs of 16–18 °C make for ideal walking before the summer crowds arrive at Box Hill and the Thames-side towns.

June and September are close runners-up. June offers the longest days and warm, settled spells, while September brings stable high pressure, quieter trails and golden Cotswold light, with daytime temperatures still around 17 °C as of 2026. July and August are reliable but busier and occasionally humid; book accommodation in Henley and Windsor well ahead during the regatta and tourist peak.

From late October through March, expect short days, frequent rain and sticky chalk and clay underfoot — the North Downs and Thames floodplain can flood after heavy weather. Winter walking is still feasible for experienced hikers with waterproofs and a head torch, but daily distances shrink. If you can choose only one window for the full English leg, aim for the first three weeks of May 2026.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The English E2 passes through populous countryside, so wild camping is generally not permitted without the landowner's consent. Plan around fixed accommodation. Budget options include YHA hostels in Oxford and along the Thames, typically €28–€40 (about £24–£34) per dorm bed. Bed-and-breakfasts and village inns are the staple here, ranging €70–€110 (£60–£95) for a double room with breakfast. Commercial campsites near the trail charge roughly €12–€22 (£10–£19) per pitch. In the Cotswolds and around Windsor, summer prices rise and rooms fill quickly, so reserve early. Carrying a lightweight tent gives flexibility for campsites, but most walkers on this leg travel B&B-to-B&B with a daypack.

Getting There & Back

The Cotswold start is easy to reach: Kingham and Moreton-in-Marsh stations sit on the London Paddington–Worcester line, roughly 90 minutes from London and a short bus or taxi from Bourton-on-the-Water. Oxford has frequent fast trains to London (about 50 minutes) and direct coaches. The Thames Path crosses several rail lines, making it simple to break the walk into weekend sections. At the finish, Dover Priory station links to London St Pancras via high-speed rail in around 70 minutes, and the Port of Dover runs frequent ferries to Calais (about 90 minutes) for those continuing the E2 into France. The nearest major airports are London Heathrow (close to the Thames Path near Staines) and London Gatwick (handy for the North Downs section). National rail tickets, regional bus services and the ferry can all be planned in advance, and split-ticketing the train fares often saves money on the longer London connections.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to walk the E2 in England. The constituent National Trails — the Thames Path and the North Downs Way — are free public rights of way, as are the Oxford Canal towpath and Cotswold footpaths. You can download official route maps, opening notes and seasonal diversion alerts from the National Trails authority for the North Downs Way, which is worth checking before you set out as some chalk sections close temporarily after storm damage. There are no entry fees for the route itself. Budget instead for accommodation, meals and the Dover–Calais ferry crossing (foot-passenger fares from about €25). Some attractions along the way, such as Windsor Castle, charge separate admission if you choose to visit.

Gear & Packing List

Because the English leg is lowland walking with regular resupply, you can travel light. The priorities are reliable rain protection (this is England), comfortable footwear for chalk, clay and towpath, and a pack sized for B&B-to-B&B days rather than long carries. A 35–55 litre pack is ample; many walkers manage with less if they skip camping.

• A versatile daypack such as the Abisko Hike 35 suits B&B-based walkers carrying a day's essentials plus a change of clothes.
• For a self-supported camping setup, an ultralight pack like the 2400 Windrider or the larger 3400 Windrider keeps base weight low across multi-day stretches.
• Pack full waterproofs, gaiters for muddy North Downs sections, and broken-in shoes or light boots.

For help choosing a pack, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 tests and ranks seven leading models. And because lowland days still burn serious energy, read how many calories you need hiking a full day before planning your food list.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the British section of the E2 appeals, the United Kingdom offers several stand-alone National Trails and long-distance routes with similar terrain and waymarking. These are excellent stepping stones — or fine alternatives if you want a complete trail in a single trip rather than a slice of a 4,850-km giant.

• Hadrian's Wall Path (United Kingdom), 135 km
• Great Glen Way (United Kingdom), 120 km
• West Highland Way (Kinlochleven to Fort William) (United Kingdom), 24 km
• West Highland Way (Drymen to Rowardennan) (United Kingdom), 23 km
• West Highland Way (Rowardennan to Inverarnan) (United Kingdom), 23 km

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the E2 west route through South West England?
May is the standout month, with around 15 hours of daylight, dry chalk paths, bluebell woods in the Surrey Hills and highs of 16–18 °C. June and September are strong alternatives. Avoid late autumn and winter if you can, when short days, rain and flooded clay sections on the North Downs and Thames floodplain make progress slow.

How difficult is the South West England leg of the E2?
It is moderate. The terrain is lowland — canal towpaths, riverside meadows and rolling chalk downs — with no mountains and modest daily ascent, the toughest being the North Downs escarpment around Box Hill. The challenge lies in the cumulative distance (roughly 320 km) and English weather rather than steep or technical ground, making it accessible to fit walkers.

How many kilometres per day should I plan?
A comfortable pace is 18–20 km per day, finishing the English leg in 16–18 days. Stronger walkers covering 25–28 km daily can complete it in 12–14 days. Because trains cross the route frequently, you can also walk it in weekend sections, breaking at Oxford, Reading, Guildford and other stations along the Thames Path and North Downs Way.

What accommodation is available along the route?
The English E2 runs through well-populated countryside, so most walkers stay in B&Bs and village inns (about €70–€110 per double) or YHA hostels (€28–€40 per dorm bed) in Oxford and along the Thames. Commercial campsites cost €12–€22 per pitch. Wild camping is not permitted without landowner consent, so book ahead, especially near Windsor and Henley in summer.

Do I need a permit or pay fees to walk the E2 in England?
No permit is required. The Thames Path and North Downs Way are free public rights of way, as are the Cotswold footpaths and Oxford Canal towpath, so the trail itself costs nothing. Budget instead for accommodation, food and, if continuing to France, the Dover–Calais ferry (foot-passenger fares from about €25). Optional attractions like Windsor Castle charge separate admission.