European Trails
Description
Thanks to the initiative and efforts of the European Ramblers Association (ERA), a network of long distance hiking trails traversing Europe came into being. The ERA was founded in Germany in 1969, and today has over 50 member-organisations devoted to long distance walking, but also to sustainable development of the countryside and, among other things, to the protection of something called European heritage, whatever that may be.
At this moment there are 11 European Long Distance Paths which as a rule lead through several countries (see map). Wherever possible these paths make use of, and coincide with, existing national or regional trails. They number from E1 to E11 (a new one is envisaged for the future: E12). But not all paths are complete. Apart from having to take the occasional ferry, there are some gaps, for instance on the E8 between Poland and the last stretch in Bulgaria.
In addition to the E-paths, there are other cross-boundary trails. Most famous is the Santiago de Compostela Pilgrim Way(s), which is not one single route but a whole network of main and by-routes from different corners of northern and eastern Europe, all ultimately leading pilgrims across the Pyrenees to the city of Santiago de Compostela in north west Spain. It is known by translation in different countries, such as St.James Way or St.Jacobsroute. In reality all pilgrims, medieval or modern, have always made use of existing walking trails and roads alike.
A more interesting collection of European trans-national trails is the Via Alpina, consisting of five trails (red, purple, yellow, green and blue) across the entire Alps and through eight different countries, and excellently documented.
Opinions
- OliverE
- Rate 8
- theravens July 2011
- Rate 8
- Positive Peaceful, somehere that allows you to feel at ease when walking. Id advise people to try the small walk from Detmold to Arminius monument in the Tuetonborg Forest
Map
Trails
Regions
Links
Facts
- E-Wege (pdf) (German)
Leaflet.
- Europäische Fernwanderwege – Wikipedia (German)
- Europäischer Fernwanderweg – Outdoor Wiki (German)
Overview of Long Distance Trails on this Wiki.
- European long-distance paths - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
English Wiki. If you read German, read that one.
- Lijst van Europese wandelroutes - Wikipedia (Dutch)
- Netzwerk Weitwandern e.V. (German)
Weitwandern in Europa. Mit groben Uebersichten und vielen Details.
- Wandermap
Here you find many trails in Europe located on the map.
Reports
- Wandern auf dem Europawanderweg (German)
Detailed information on three European Long Distance Trails: E1, E6, E9.
Guides and maps
Lodging
- Mountain huts in Europe
Handy list of huts in the Alps and other mountain area's of Europe
Organisations
- Österreichischer Touristenklub (German)
One of Austria's Alpine Organisations, and also responsible for the E-paths in Austria.
- Bulgarian Tourist Union (BTU) (Bulgarian)
The Bulgarian Tourist Union is involved in creating and maintaining long distance hiking trails in Bulgaria. The organisation is member of the European Ramblers' Organisation.
- Dansk Vandrelaug
Danish Ramblers Association. They cooperate with the local communities in establishing some of the long distance trails in the country. They are also member of the European Ramblers' Association.
- Den Norske Turistforening (DNT) (Norwegian)
The national hiking organisation of Norway, a very good website in different languages. The DNT is member of the European Ramblers' Organisation and they take this seriously, because they added some 2000 km of trail to the E1, continuing it all the way to the North Cape.
- Deutscher Wanderverband (German)
Platform for hiking in Germany. The Wanderverband is an association for the many local German hiking organisations. Germany has a rich hiking tradition, and many many local organisations. The website offers a good overview of hiking possibilities. However, the description of the different trails should be looked for at a different website: Wanderbares Deutschland (http://www.wanderbares-deutschland.de). The Deutscher Wanderverband is member of the European Ramblers' Association.
- Eesti Matkaliit - Estonian Ramblers Organisation (Estonian)
Estonian walking/hiking organisation, providing some info on hiking trails. Some English text, including a picture of a group on mountainbike through a cornfield. Google isn't too good in translating Estonian either. The organisation is member of the European Ramblers' Orgnisation and so they have the opportunity to connect Europe with Russia via the European Long Distance Trail E9.
- European Ramblers Association
The European Ramblers' Association is the umbrella organisation for all national European hiking associations. They are responsible for the European Long Distance Paths E1 - E12 that criss cross the old world.
- FAM - Federació Andorrana de Muntanyisme (Catalan)
This is the site of the Andorran Mountaineering Organisation. As a member of the European Ramblers' Organisation, they look after the traject of the E7 crossing the Pyrenees on their territory.
- Fcmp - Camping and Mountaineering Organisation of Portugal (Portuguese)
The European Long Distance Trail e7 runs through Portugal, and this organisation is responsible for the Portuguese traject. The Fcmp is member of the European Ramblers' Organisation.
- FEDME - Federación Española de Deportes de Montaña y Escalada (Spanish)
The FEDME is the Spanish hiking and mountaineering organisation, realising and maintaining - together with the regional hiking organisations - the Senderos de Gran Recorrido, or the GRs, long distance trails. You will find a database of all the GR's here. Often, it's wise to visit one of the regional organisations' webpage for more information. The FEDME is member of the European Ramblers' Organisation and looks after the 5 European Long Distance Paths crossing the countrY: E3, E4, E7, E10, E12.
- FFRP - Federation Francaise de la Randonnée Pédestre (French)
Official website of the French Federation for Long Distance Hiking. Offering all you need for hiking in France. The FFRP maintains all long distance hikes - Grandes Randonnées - in France. The organisation participates in the European Ramblers' Organisation.
- FIE Italia - Federazione Italiana Escursionismo (Italian)
Federazione Italiana Escursionismo - Italian Hiking Federation. They maintain many of the long distance trails in Italy. The FIE is member of the European Ramblers' Organisation.
- GR Sentiers - Les Sentiers de Grande Randonnée (French)
Long Distance Paths Association of French speaking Belgium, Wallonia, giving short info on all trails in Belgium, a clickable map, a webshop to order guidebooks and maps online. Some info on lodging too. The organisation is member of the European Ramblers' Organisation and takes care of the E-Paths in Wallonia.
- Greek Federation of Mountaineering - Climbing (Greek)
This is the national organisation for Greece for hikers and climbers. THe EOOA is member of the European Ramblers' Association. Three European Long Distance Trails cross Greece: the E4 and E6, and the planned E12.
- Grote Routepaden (Dutch)
Long Distance Paths Association of Flanders / Belgium. giving short info on all trails in Belgium, a clickable map, a webshop to order guidebooks and maps online. Online info on lodging is for members only. The Stichting Grote Routepaden is member of the European Ramblers' Association, and they are responsible for the Belgium trajects of E2, E3 and E9.
- Herzlich willkommen (German)
This organisation maintains many trails in the north of Germany, among others the European Long Distance Trails.
- KČT - Klub českých turistů - Czech Tourist Club (Czech)
The KČT is the Czech umbrella organisation for hiking. Their website gives a lot of information; a tiny part is in English. As member of the European Ramblers' Association, they are responsible for the European Long Distance Paths E3 and E10 in the Czech Republic.
- Klub slovenských turistov (Slovak)
The Slovak Tourist Club is the umbrella organisation that marks and maintains the trails in Slovakia. The STC intself cooperates in the European Ramblers' Organisation and looks after the E3 and E8 on Slovakian territory.
- Long Distance Walkers’ Association
As they write: "The LDWA is an Association of people with the common interest of walking long distances in rural, mountainous or moorland areas." The Long Distance Walking Association is member of the European Ramblers' Association.
- Mountaineering Ireland
Official website of Mountaineering Ireland, previously known as Mountaineering Council of Ireland (MCI). They have a good section on Hillwalking. The organisation is member of the European Ramblers' Organisation.
- MTSZ - Hungarian Nature-Friends Association (Hungarian)
Hiking association in Hungary - Magyar Természetbarát Szövetség. This is the national organisation for hiking and long distance trails. The MTSz is member of the European Ramblers' Association and responsible for the Hungarian parts of the E3, E4 and E7.
- Naturfreunde Bundesorganisation (German)
The Austrian Branch of the Naturfreunde organisation. They cooperate in the maintenance of the E-paths in Austria.
- Oesterreichischer Alpenverein Sektion Weitwanderer (German)
Austrian Alpine Association, dept. Long Distance Walkers, with everything you need to know about long distance hiking in Austria.They offer information on the European Long Distance Paths too.
- Planinarski savez Srbije/Mountaineering Associaton of Serbia (Serbo-Croatian)
The Serbian mountaineering organisation is responsible for the European Long Distance Paths E4 and E7 in their country. Since 2007, Serbia is member of the European Ramblers' Association.
- Planinska zveza Slovenije (Slovenian)
Website of the Slovenian Mountaineering Association. They are member of the European Ramblers' Association and are the responsible organisation for the European Long Distance Paths E6 and E7.
- Polish Tourist Organisation (Polish)
The umbrella organisation maintaining the trails in Poland. Member of the European Ramblers' Organisation. Four European Long Distance Paths cross Poland: E3, E8, E9, E11.
- Schweizer Wanderwege (German)
The organisation that - in cooperation with local hiking organisations - maintains and documents the (long distance) hiking trails in Switzerland. Schweizer Wanderwege is member of the European Ramblers' Association.
- Stichting Wandelnet (Dutch)
The Dutch Long Distance Hikes are called LAW, the equivalent of the French GR. This organisation - Stichting Wandelnet - plans and maintains the paths, and publishes the guides of the 40 or so long distance hikes. Recent route changes can be found here. There is a section with all trails loaded in Google Maps. Stichting Wandelnet is member of the European Ramblers' Organisation and maintans the E-paths in The Netherlands.
- Svenska Turistföreningen - vandrarhem, fjällstationer, fjällstugor, kurser (Swedish)
The Swedish Tourist Organisation is - together with local communities - responsible for the hiking trails in Sweden. The organisation is partner of the European Ramblers' Association.
- Département du Tourisme // Luxembourg - Ministry of Tourism
In Luxembourg, the trail system is maintained by the Ministry of Tourism. The Ministry is member of the European Ramblers' Organisation.
Tour operators
GPS
Other
Forum
- Filip 2017-11-11 11:34:31
Long distance trail February to August
- Hi, I'm totally new on the page and thought I'd start of to try out the forum and see what help I can get.
I am planing to do a long distance hike from around mid February to mid August.
At first I looked something like Tarifa to lower Sweden since that is where I come from. I looked at going south to north due to weather and warmth. That one is way to long for my time span though. I then looked a bit at the GR5 which seems really nice but then it would be totally wrong season...
What I am looking for is a trail that would take me around six months, be able to walk February to August, goes at least partially through France, and then some more countries. It would be nice to start in the south with milder climate and head north with spring.
Any suggestions?
- camilojoseroa@gmail.com 2017-04-11 15:07:05
Hike part of the E1
- Hello Dear, I'm going to Europe at the end of may and I'm thinking to do part of the route E1, i would like to start in south of Germany untill north of Italy, going through Switzerland. I have few questions about the route.
Do I need to have any permission to hike the trail?
Can I camp during the route?,
Are there campsites on the route?
What is the main thing i need to know about this route?
If someone can help me with this questions, i will be really grateful.
Thank you
- Rosie 2016-12-19 00:00:27
Celebratory 3 week European hike in May-June 2017
- Hi - I'm finally getting my first holiday in 8 years from 20 May 2017 and I'm going to go hiking, which I've desperately missed. I really wanted to do some Alpine hiking - perhaps the Traumpfad, but it's going to be too early in the season. Do you have a favourite section of any of these that will be lovely at that time and will feel properly special to mark the occasion? Thank you!
- Sal Eden 2016-05-07 11:41:56
Long-Distance Trails - Safety in the current social climate?
- Hi there, I'm new to this forum and have had a longing for a while for some long distance trails, escapism partly, a challenge to my endurance too.
Physically and mentally I am good for this challenge.
My question is, if anyone can answer, is how safe is it at the moment to go on these trails given the whole social fears etc around the the immigration crises etc. Safety from both immigrants and from right-wing socialists who may take my 'hobo'like appearance as to think I am an immigrant. I hold no prejudices myself and do not wish this to turn into any debate.
Just really looking for anyone who is now or has recently been on a long distance trail who can tame my safety fears. I will be wandering alone, 30 year old British male. 
- jack 2016-10-23 15:42:28
- Relax. The people you are worried about don't hike. You are absolutely safe on the trails. Possible to have some trouble in cities.
- John P 2016-11-19 12:13:11
- Never had any problems of this type. Main safety risk is probably traffic on roads or braking a leg in a remote place.
- theravens 2012-06-10 18:42:44
Westweg questions
- 1. Which route is best to take from cold hostel? East or West?
The highest peak is to the west route right?
Can you direct me to links for accomidation along the routes?
Can you point me toward a site selling English translations of the estweg, either a map or guide.
Many thanks
Danny