From the historic cities of Zwolle and Deventer to the hills of the Sallandse Heuvelrug, and the liberated towns of Almelo, Nijverdal, and Diepenheim, the routes reveal stories of courage, resistance, loss, and renewal.The three themed routes – Canadian Trail – Overijssel West, Canadian Trail – Overijssel Middle, and Canadian Trail – Overijssel East – offer a wide range of experiences. Follow the IJssel River through ancient Hanseatic towns, cycle across wooded ridges and open fields once marked by battle, or walk through Twente’s villages where liberation finally arrived. Complement these with the five city routes in Zwolle, Deventer, Almelo, Nijverdal, and Diepenheim, each offering an intimate encounter with the local stories of occupation and freedom.

Canadian trails in Overijssel

The Atlantic Wall was not a single continuous structure, but a layered system of defensive positions. These included Festungen (fortresses), Verteidigungsbereiche (defense sectors), Stützpunkte (strongpoints), and Widerstandsnester (resistance nests). All of these elements were present in the Netherlands, forming a structured defence aimed at protecting key harbours, waterways, and coastal access points.This route collection invites you to explore the heritage of the Atlantic Wall along the Dutch coast, extending from the Belgian border in Zeeland to the German border in Groningen. It covers all five Dutch coastal provinces—Zeeland, South Holland, North Holland, Friesland, and Groningen—while also highlighting the significant strategic role of the Wadden Islands.The themed hiking and cycling routes offer an accessible introduction to the structure and complexity of the wartime defence line. Along the way, you will encounter a wide variety of remains, including bunkers, gun emplacements, radar stations, anti-tank obstacles, and communication facilities. Many of these sites now serve as museums or visitor centres, offering exhibitions, guided tours, and are home to artistic and cultural activities combining nature and heritage.Discover the Atlantic Wall within the distinctive Dutch coastal landscape, where dunes, beaches, polders, and major engineering works—such as the Afsluitdijk—illustrate the interaction between human ingenuity and the natural environment. Step into the past and explore the Atlantic Wall in the Netherlands through a rich combination of landscapes, heritage, and history.

Exploring the Atlantic wall heritage in the Netherlands

Discover the struggle for resistance as you walk through the historic center of Lucca or hike the valleys of Garfagnana. Let yourself be drawn to the mountains around Bologna and the sadly famous town of Marzabotto, where, between 29 September and 5 October 1944, Nazi units and fascist forces of the Italian Social Republic indiscriminately killed nearly 800 people. Today, Marzabotto stands as a place of remembrance and a symbol of peace and offer a beautiful memorial surrounded by mountains. Embark on a journey through Tuscany’s and Emilia-Romagna’s WWII history, following trails that connect you to museums, memorials, and the voices of those who lived through these defining moments. Walk in the footsteps of history - walk the Liberation Route in Italy.&nbsp;

Italy’s Route through History

Discover the stories of the Battle of the Bulge, the deep mark it left on civilian lives and the involved troops. From the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/en/pois/64/bastogne-war-museum">Bastogne War Museum</a> to the quiet memorials of Saint-Hubert, passing through the now peaceful Jack’s Wood and Peace’s Wood Memorial, each trail invites you to uncover the human stories behind this famous piece of history. The seven themed routes offer a wide range of experiences in Wallonia, including the cycling trail through the Libramont’s Battle of the Bulge informative panels or the walking tour of Mons’ city centre to discover its liberation from Nazi occupation. All these trails will take you on a journey in the footsteps of history and memory.&nbsp; &nbsp; Expand your journey along the Liberation Route with a unique trip through the memorial sites of World War II in Wallonia. Combine history, culture, landscapes, and local flavours for an experience that is both educational and touristic. ✈️🌍 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="Hyperlink SCXW72008494 BCX8" href="https://visitwallonia.com/en-gb/3/i-love/heritage-and-culture/wallonia-in-the-wars/39-45?cookie_lang=en-gb">Embark on the discovery of Wallonia, learn more on VISITWallonia’s website</a>&nbsp;

The second world war in Wallonia

While the D-Day beaches of&nbsp;Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno, and Sword&nbsp;are marked into popular memory for their strategic importance and large loss of human lives, Normandy offers many other remembrance sites that are worth visiting to dive even more into the stories of the D-Day and the following Battle of Normandy. In the countryside, towns like Sainte-Mère-Église, and the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer offer a deeply immersive experience into the human stories of both soldiers and civilians who were tragically impacted by the fighting in the area.The Liberation Route Europe offers you various themed routes in the region, which are regularly enriched with new content and trails, from the local historical tours in the city centres of Caen and Le Havre to longer hikes, along the beautiful coast and the D-Day beaches.

Normandy: Where WWII History Lives and Breathes

In the final months of the Second World War, Polish forces advanced through the southern Netherlands as part of the Allied campaign to push German troops back across Europe. The 1st Polish Armoured Division under General Stanisław Maczek liberated several Dutch towns, including Breda and Axel, while the 1st Independent Parachute Brigade took part in Operation Market Garden near Arnhem. These cycling and hiking routes highlight key places connected to those operations, from former battle zones and landing sites to museums and memorials that explain the complex events of 1944 and 1945.Today, visitors can explore the story of the Polish troops through a network of walking, cycling, and driving routes across Zeeland, North Brabant, and Gelderland. Along the way, you can stop at local museums, discover traces of wartime fortifications, and visit small villages that were rebuilt after the fighting. Each route combines accessible travel experiences with opportunities to learn about the military movements, landscapes, and communities that shaped the closing stages of the war in the Netherlands.

In the footsteps of the Polish Troops in the Netherlands

Wallonia, the French-speaking region of Belgium, played a significant role during World War II, particularly during the Battle of the Bulge. This battle, also known as the Ardennes Offensive, was the last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front. It took place from December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945, in the dense Ardennes forest region of Wallonia.From Saint-Hubert to Bastogne, walk along these selection of hiking and cycling trails dedicated to the souvenir of the Battle of the Bulge and the end of world war II in the Belgian Ardennes.

WW2 in the Belgian Ardennes

🚶‍♂️🚴‍♀️ Spanning thousands of kilometers across France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, the routes are designed to honor the legacy of Canadian soldiers who played a pivotal role in liberating Europe. Along the way, interpretive panels, memorials, and local landmarks provide historical context and personal narratives that bring the events of 1944–45 to life. This is more than a journey—it’s a tribute to freedom, a chance to reflect, and an invitation to walk in the footsteps of those who helped shape the future of Europe.

Walk along the Canadian Troops

In the autumn of 1944, during the final phases of World War II, North Brabant became the scene of a pivotal Allied offensive. As part of Operation Pheasant, four divisions of the British Second Army were tasked with liberating the region from German occupation and pushing the German 15th Army across the Meuse River. Among these forces was the 51st Scottish Highland Division, led by Major General Rennie.&nbsp;During their advance, the Highlanders played a significant role in liberating a series of municipalities across North Brabant, including Heusden, Meierijstad, Boxtel, Sint-Michielsgestel, and Waalwijk. Their journey left a lasting impact on the local communities—many of which still commemorate these events to this day.&nbsp;To honor this history, a collection of cycling themed&nbsp;routes has been developed, tracing the paths of the Scottish Highlanders and offering visitors a unique way to explore both the past and the present of this beautiful region. Together, these routes span 114 kilometers and are fully integrated into North Brabant’s extensive cycling network.&nbsp;Along the way, you’ll encounter Vectors of Memory—specially placed markers that highlight key moments and locations from the liberation. These points not only offer historical context but also connect you with the personal stories of soldiers and residents during this moment in history.Each route has been carefully designed to provide a mix of nature, history, and local culture:&nbsp;<ul><li>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/themed-routes/108/scottish-liberation-route-in-heusden">Heusden Route</a> (38 km) follows the path of liberation along the riverbanks and through fortified towns.&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/themed-routes/111/scottish-highlanders-route-in-waalwijk">Waalwijk Route</a> (35 km) takes you through pastoral landscapes around Waalwijk.&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.liberationroute.com/themed-routes/110/scottish-highlanders-route-in-meierijstad-boxtel-and-sint-michielsgestel">Meierijstad, Boxtel &amp; Sint-Michielsgestel Route</a> (41 km) weaves through wooded areas, rural farmland, and village centers, offering insight into daily life during wartime. </li></ul>

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