REFOOT: Retracing the Footsteps, a transnational journey of Canadian Liberation in WWII

Retracing the footsteps of Canadian Liberators - A European Trail

The Canadian Trail is a route that stretches from France to Germany, passing through Belgium and the NetherlandsWhy walk the Canadian Trail? Because history is more than names and dates. It's made of stories, many of which remain unheard. Walking through the Canadian Trail brings you closer to the diverse experiences of those who lived through the liberation of Europe - not in a textbook, but in the very places where history happened.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Download the LRE App The free Liberation Route Europe app is your companion on the trail - with maps, historical context, and stories right where they happened. Plan your journey on the Canadian Trail and walk in the footsteps of the Canadian Liberators

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​​The Canadian Trail is a transnational hiking route that retraces the footsteps of Canadian soldiers who liberated Europe during World War II.​

​​The trail connects sites and stories highlighting the Canadian forces’ involvement in Europe during World War II and their important role in the liberation of Europe, which has long been overlooked.

​Spanning from France to Germany, the trail links regions liberated by Canadian forces. Beginning in Courseulles sur Mer on Juno Beach, France, where Canadian forces arrived in June 1944, the route then leads up through northern France before crossing to Belgium, following the history of the liberation along the Belgian coast. The trail then leads up through the Netherlands to Woldendorp, where the last battles for liberation took place, before ending just across the border in Germany.

Along the route you can discover 200 key landmarks and the stories, from those of the troops under Canadian command, to the liberation experiences of local inhabitants, acts of resistance and more.

​This route is a project co-funded by the Interreg North-West Europe programme of the European Union. It was created by the LRE Foundation, alongside partners Juno Beach Centre (France), For Freedom Museum (Belgium), and LRE France.

Discover the trail Retracing the footsteps of Canadian liberators: a European trail

 

 

 

More information here

EU Funding: 137.292.19€

Total Budget: 228,830.32€

Timeline: 2023-2025