Retracing the Footsteps:
A Transnational Journey of Canadian Liberation in WWII
The Canadian Trail is a transnational trail retracing the footsteps of Canadian soldiers who liberated Europe during World War II. Canadian soldiers played an important and overlooked role in the liberation of North-West Europe at the end of the Second World War. The Canadian Trail follows in their footsteps, connecting the sites and stories related to this period of history and enabling visitors to learn more about their important contribution in a new sustainable way.
About the project
The existing section of this trail currently travels through the Netherlands, from Zeeland, across to Groningen. In 2023 the LRE Foundation received funding from Interreg NWE to carry out an 18-month project Retracing the Footsteps: A Transnational Journey of Canadian Liberation in WWII (REFOOT). This project sees the expansion of the Canadian trail through France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.
The Canadian Trail project seeks to promote sustainable tourism and preserve the European historical memory while contributing to the development of cultural understanding and remembrance in the North-West Europe area. Upon completion of the project, the trail will be a tangible connection of landmarks related to the Canadian forces’ involvement in Europe during World War II. The project will connect regions in different countries that were liberated by the Canadian troops and will offer a multi-perspective approach to the remembrance of our shared European history.
About Interreg
Interreg North-West Europe (NWE) is a European Territorial Cooperation programme aiming to support a balanced development across the area, making all regions more resilient, and contributing to a better quality of life and well-being of all NWE citizens.
Since the industrial revolution, the NWE area has been at the vanguard of industrialisation and economic development in Europe. However, this century of growth came at a cost to the environment, people, and territorial inequalities. To address these challenges, the funding programme supports NWE territories in leading a sustainable and balanced development and in reducing disparities. Using its transnational cooperation expertise, the 2021-2027 Programme wants to jointly “promote a green, smart and just transition for all NWE territories with the aim to support a balanced development and make all regions more resilient”.
Partners
LRE Foundation
For Freedom Museum (Belgium)
Juno Beach Centre (France)
LRE France (France)
Associated Partners
European Ramblers Association (Germany)
Wandelnet (The Netherlands)
FFRandonnée (France)
Juno Beach Centre Association (Canada)
The Canadian Trail in the Netherlands project was funded by the vfonds
Journey Planner
Website & App
Liberation Route Europe website
On the Liberation Route Europe website you can discover many WWII remembrance sites and stories across Europe, following in the footsteps of history from your own desktop. Read or listen to the multi-perspective stories of those who experienced this period of history and find out more about the points of interest dotted along the transnational route. You can create your own free account and use the journey planner feature to plan your own route, selecting your favourite sites and stories along the way. Alternatively, choose one of the themed routes and their ready-made itineraries.
Discover the website
Liberation Route Europe app
Designed to accompany you as you explore the hiking trails, the Liberation Route Europe mobile applications include all the information available on the website, including the journey planner feature. Pick a section of the trail, or themed route you would like to explore, and use the app’s GPS system to guide you along the route. Once you have set up a free account, you can also sign in and view any trails, sites or stories you have favourited by desktop or on the app and create your own itinerary to follow. The Liberation Route Europe app is available on Android and Apple.
Discover the app
News about the project
For more news about the LRE Foundation you can access the archives.
Expanding the Canadian Trails – an interview with Project Officer Emme Johnson
At the start of this year, LRE Foundation and its partners began the implementation of ‘Retracing the Footsteps: A Transnational Journey of Canadian Liberation in
Liberation Route Europe expands the Canadian Trails: the new Historic Paths Across North West Europe
Earlier this Spring, the LRE Foundation and several project partners met in Knokke-Heist, Belgium, to kick-off a new extended section of the Canadian Trails project.
Launch of the new Liberation Route Europe Walking Route “In the Footsteps of the Canadian Liberators”
Yesterday, May 29th, the LRE Foundation, in collaboration with Erfgoed Zeeland and Provincie Zeeland, proudly launched the new Liberation Route Europe walking route in the
A new section for the Canadian Liberation Route: the Drenthe hiking trails
In the lead-up to the ’80 Years of Freedom” in 2025, the LRE Foundation will launch a new long-distance walking route in Drenthe on June
On April 15th, the LRE Foundation will launch a new walking route, the Friesland section of the Canadian Liberation Route
On 15th April, 78 years ago, Canadian troops liberated Leeuwarden and large parts of Friesland in the Netherlands. To commemorate this historical event, the LRE
Liberation Route Europe adds new trails following in the footsteps of Canadian Liberators
The LRE Foundation is pleased to announce the development of the Canadian Liberation Route, an important new addition to the Liberation Route Europe hiking trails network. The Canadian Liberation
