E3
Description
- Name E3 (E3)
- Length of trail 6,950 km, 4,319 miles
- Length in days 350 days
- Start of trail Santiago de Compostela (Es)
- End of trail Emine (Bg)
- Traildino grading MW, Moderate walk, backpacking trail
- Hut tour grading T1, Walk
E3: Santiago de Compostela (Es) - Emine (Bg), 6950 km
Atlantic – Ardennen – Erzgebirge – Karpaten – Black Sea
Its 6950 km make it the second longest European trail, leading all the way from Bulgaria's Black Sea coast, through Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium and France to Santiago the Compostela in Spain.
Bulgaria: 700 km, Mount Kom to cape Emine on the Black Sea.
The E3 strings together the following national trails:
Spain
- GR100 - Ruta de la Plata, South branch starting in Cádiz
- GR65 - Camino de Santiago, West Branch, starting in Santiago de Compostela:
France
- GR65 - Via Podiensis
- GR3 - Vallée de la Loire
- GR13 - Traversée du Morvan
- GR1 - Tour de Paris
- GR12 - Amsterdam - Paris
- GR16 - Sentier de la Semois
Belgium
- First village is Corbion
- GR16 - Sentier de la Semois, Corbion - Barrage de la Vierre
- GR15 - GR151 - AE, Barrage de la Vierre - Martelange
- Last village is Martelange
Luxembourg (235 km)
- First village is Martelange
- Sentier Ardennes - Eifel, Martelange - Echternach
- This could be broken down to the following trails:
- Upper-Sûre Path, Martelange - Esch sur Sûre
- Charles Mathieu Path, Esch sur Sûre - Clervaux
- Sentier Ardennes - Eifel, Clervaux - Hosingen. Here, the E2 / GR5, coming from the north, joins the E3
- Our Path, Hosingen - Diekirch
- Maurice Cosyn Path, Diekirch - Echternach
- Lower-Sûre Path, Echternach - Wasserbillig
- Moselle Path, Wasserbillig - Schengen. One hour walk before schengen, in Remerschen, the E3 and E2 / GR5 separate again
- Last village is Schengen
Germany
- First village is Perl
- From Perl local trails, marked
- Saarland Rundwanderweg (partly)
- Local trails, marked
- Ausoniusweg
- Local trails, marked
- Taunus Höhenweg
- Local trails to border with Czech Republic, marked
- Last village of south leg in Germany is Schirnding
Czech Republic (452 km)
South leg, 300 km
- First village in Czech Republic is Pomezí nad Ohří
- Pomezí n.O. (border crossing) - Horní Hraničná - Cheb (square) - Lipová (railway station) , 22,5 km, KCT map no. 1
- Dolní Žandov - Vysoké sedlo - Hvězda (crossroads) - Bílá hájenka , 31,5 km, KCT map no. 2
- Loket, Monument of Goethe , 20 km, KCT map no. 3
- Svatošské Rocks - Karlovy Vary, Hot Spring - Karlovy Vary, Post office - Sadov - Vlčinec (lodge) - Plešivec - Jáchymov, townhall - Boží Dar - Klínovec (watchtower) - Měděnec (railway station) , 78 km, KCT map no. 4
- Mountain of St. Sebastian - Svahová - Nová Ves v H. - Český Jiřetín (border crossing) , 58,5 km, KCT map no. 5
- Fláje (former village) - Cínovec (border crossing) - Komáří vížka - Adolfov - Tisá - mountain walls - Děčínský Sněžník , 60,5 km, KCT map no. 6
- Děčín, Tyršův most - Děčín, Nové město - Labská stráň - Hřensko, town , 29,5 km, KCT map no. 12-13
- Border crossing at Hřensko, joins E3 North leg coming from Germany
Central leg, 152 km
- First village in this leg is Hřensko, border with Germany
- Hřensko (border crossing) - Hřensko, town - Pravčická brána - Mezní louka - Jetřichovice - Studenec - Jedlová (railway station) - U Ranče - Jedlová, peak - return to U Ranče - Luž, peak - Dolní Světlá (railway station), 60,5 km, KCT map no. 12-13
- Hvozd, peak - Horní sedlo - Ještěd, peak, 39,5 km, KCT map no. 14
- Liberec, Horní Hanychov - transfer by public transport to Liberec, Lid.sady - Liberec, Lidové sady - Nová louka - Klečové louky - Jizera, peak - return to Klečové louky - Smědava - Jizerka , 37 km, KCT map no. 20-21
- Harachov (railway station) - Nový Svět - Harachov (border crossing) , 15 km, KCT map no. 22
- Last village in Czech Republic is Nový Svet / Harrachov
Maps
- South leg: KCT maps 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22
- Central leg: KCT maps 53, 55, 56, 59, 60, 96
Poland (300 km)
- First village in Poland is Jakuszyce, border crossing
- Jakuszyce - Boboszów, local trails, marked blue (mainly), 300 km
- Last village in Poland is Boboszów (border crossing)
Czech Republic (291 km)
- First village in Czech Republic is Dolní Lipka / Dolní Boříkovice
- Dolní Lipka (border crossing) - Dolní Boříkovice, crossroads - Králíky (square) - Prostřední Lipka (railway station) - Králický Sněžník, crossroads - Paprsek (tourist hut), 44,5 km, KCT map no. 53
- Ramzová (railway station) - Červenohorské sedlo (tourist hut) - Švýcárna (tourist hut) - Praděd, peak - Jelení studánka - Rýmařov (square), 56 km, KCT map no. 55
- Stráské (bus) - Rýžoviště (square) - Dětřichov n. Bystřicí (railway st.) - Dvorce - Budišov nad Budišovkou (square) - Kružberská přehrada (bus) , 57 km, KCT map no. 56
- Podhradí, camp - Hradec n. Moravicí (castle) - Leskovec (bus) , 43 km, KCT map no. 59
- Fulnek (bus) - Kletné (dam) - Suchdol n. Odrou (railway station) - Starý Jičín, edge, 31,5 km, KCT map no. 60
- Svinec, peak - Hodslavice, museum - Malý Javorník (crossroads) - Radhošť, chapel - Pustevny, huts - Martiňák, monument - Hlavatá (bus) - Třeštík (tourist hut) - Nad Bumbálkou - Bumbálka (border crossing), 59 km, KCT map no. 96
- Last village in Czech Republic is Horní Bečva
Slovakia (170 km)
- Start at Border Czech Republic / Slovakia, Bumbálka, hut
- Bumbálka - Veľký Javorník (1071 m) (22 km), path to Kasárne, cottages (2 km)
- Veľký Javorník – Bytča – Súľovské – Súľov, village and hut (17 km)
- Súľov – Rajec, town (15 km), path to Rajecká Lesná, village (2 km)
- Rajec - Veľká lúka (1475 m) (25 km), path to Martinské hole, chalets
- Veľká lúka - Veľký Kriváň (1708 m) (25 km), path to Vrátna hut
- Veľký Kriváň - Veľký Rozsutec (1609 m) – Zázrivá, village (18 km)
- Zázrivá - Minčol (1393 m) – Orava dam, recreation area (35 km)
- Orava – Border Slovakia / Poland, Trstená/Chyżne (13 km)
VKÚ maps:
109 Javorníky-Čadca
108 Javorníky-Púchov
157 Súľovské vrchy
120 Malá Fatra-Martinské hole
110 Malá Fatra-Vrátna
111 Chočské vrchy-vodná nádrž Liptovská Mara
102 Oravské Beskydy-vodná nádrž Orava
Poland (160 km)
- Local trails, marked
- First village in Poland is Chyżne
- Chyżne - Barwinek, 160 km, marked
(Probably this is part of the Beskids Trail) - Last village in Poland is Barwinek
Slovakia (274 km)
- Start in Dukliansky (502 m)
- Dukliansky - Nižnej Polianky (590 m) (24 km), path to motel (3 km)
- Nižnej Polianky - Staviská pass (650 m) (24 km), path to Vyšného Tvarožca (hut)
- Staviská pass – Kurovské pass (683 m) (22 km)
- Kurovské pass – Obručné, village (16 km)
- Obručné - Čergov pass (917 m), hut (29 km)
- Čergov pass – Prešov (34 km)
- Prešov – Dubnik (874 m) (27 km)
- Dubnik – Herľany (19 km)
- Herľany – Slanec, village (34 km)
- Slanec – Byšta, village (20 km)
- Byšta - Slovenské Nové Mesto, border Slovakia / Hungary (25 km)
VKÚ maps:
106 Laborecká vrchovina-Dukla
105 Ondavská vrchovina-Bardejov
104 Čergov
115 Šarišská vrchovina-Branisko
116 Slanské vrchy-Veľká Domaša
117 Slanské vrchy-Dargov
148 Zemplínske vrchy-Latorická rovina
Hungary (266 km)
- First village is Sátoraljaújhely, border with Slovakia
- Great Plain Blue Trail, Sátoraljaújhely – Nagykereki, 260 km
- Own track, Nagykereki – Ártánd, 6 km
- Last village in Hungary is Ártánd, border with Romania
Romania
-
Recently, the first 150 km have been marked, and maps and guides will be available soon
Bulgaria
Opinions
- Joke ter Weele October 2009
- Rate 7
- Positive Well marked trail through vast forests
- Negative Trudging through deep snow in October....
- Henk Nouws August 1992
- Rate 8
- Positive Over the years I hiked different parts of the E3. The trail chooses the best parts of the countries it visits.
Map
Links
Facts
- Der EB-/E3/E4-Fernwanderweg von Eisenach nach Budapest (German)
Excellent website on the E3. The author walked the entire trail between Eisenach and Budapest.
- Wanderbares Deutschland (German)
Use the left menu to find any trail. Wanderbares Deutschland (Wanderful Germany) is a very good webpage, created and maintained by the German Walking Association, Deutscher Wanderverband. You will find many trails, including sketch maps, descriptions (often also in English), relevant guides and maps, and so on.
- E3 – Outdoor Wiki (German)
Overview.
- Európska diaľková trasa E 3 - Klub slovenských turistov (Slovak)
Information sheet for the E3 in Slovakia: maps and traject.
- European Long Distance trails on Wanderbares Deutschland (German)
Wanderbares Deutschland offers the trail information for Germany on behalf of the Deutscher Wanderverband (German Ramblers' Association). Click on "Übersicht Europäische Wanderwege" on the left, to get to the information of the E-Paths.
- European Ramblers Association
General overview of E3 on the official website of ERA.
- Wikipedia
Very short general overview of E3.
- Wiki page E3 in Poland (Polish)
List of places
Reports
Guides and maps
Lodging
Organisations
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Books
Netherlands
2016
- Wandelgids Kom-Emine Bulgarije E3 | Oilaripi
- Een uitstekende wandelgids van een beroemd lange-afstands-wandelpad in Bulgarije, onderdeel van de E3 route. Goede beschrijving, mooie kaarten en praktische informatie. Onverwacht hoog nivo van de gids voor een land waar tot voor kort weinig beschikbaar was. Kom-Emine is a long distance path in Bulgaria, part of the E3 European Long Distance... Read more
Maps
United Kingdom
- Pirin Mountains Domino
- Pirin Mountains at 1:50,000 on a large, double-sided, contoured map with GPS waypoints for shelters and chalets, peaks, etc. and highlighting hiking routes. Topography is shown by contours at 40m intervals with additional relief shading and graphics and colouring for sandstone stacks, single rocks over 5m high, marshlands and different types of... Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Netherlands
- Wandelkaart 6 Pirin gebergte | Domino
- Gedetailleerde kaart met hoogtelijnen en wandelroutes. Tevens aanduiding van campings, hotels, eerste hulpposten, etc. Alle tekst in het Latijnse en Cyrillische schrift. Wandelpaden gemarkeerd, hutten zijn aangegeven. Read more
United Kingdom
- Western Rhodope Mountains Domino Map
- Western Rhodope Mountains at 1:100,000 on a contoured GPS compatible map from Domino extending from just west of the Pirin National Park to Asenovgrad in the north-east. The map is double-sided with a good overlap between the sides. Topography is shown by contours at 50m intervals with relief shading and spot heights, plus colouring for... Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Netherlands
- Wandelkaart - Wegenkaart - landkaart 7 Westelijke Rhodopen - Western Rhodopes | Domino
- Gedetailleerde overzichtskaart van dit berggebied in Zuid-Bulgarije. Tweetalige tekst op de kaart, op de achterkant toeristische info over het gebied, o.m. in Engels. Doorgaande en belangrijke wandelpaden staan ingetekend. Read more
United Kingdom
- Strandzha Mountains: Burgas to the Turkish Border Domino Map
- Strandzha Mountains in the south-eastern corner of Bulgaria between Burgas to the Turkish border on a contoured and GPS compatible map from Domino showing local hiking trails and highlighting various interesting sites, with three more detailed enlargements at 1:25,000. Most place names are in both Latin and Cyrillic alphabet; map legend... Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Netherlands
- Wandelkaart Strandzha - Bulgarije | Domino
- Gedetailleerde kaart met hoogtelijnen en wandelroutes. Tevens aanduiding van campings, hotels, eerste hulpposten, etc. Alle tekst in het Latijnse en Cyrillische schrift. Wandelpaden gemarkeerd, hutten zijn aangegeven. Gedetailleerde, fijngetekende overzichtskaart/wegenkaart van het uiterste zuid-oosten van Bulgarije, (de kuststrook tussen... Read more
United Kingdom
- Stara Planina Central: Zlatitsa to Kalofer Domino Map
- Stara Planina Central: Zlatitsa to Kalofer map at 1:50,000 from Bulgarian publishers Domino, contoured and GPS compatible, with hiking trails, accommodation options including a list of local mountain refuges, etc. The map is double-sided and covers the mountains from just west of Ribaritsa and Zlatitsa eastwards beyond Kalofer to the peak of... Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Netherlands
- Wandelkaart 1 Stara Planina gebergte | Domino
- Gedetailleerde kaart met hoogtelijnen en wandelroutes. Tevens aanduiding van campings, hotels, eerste hulpposten, etc. Alle tekst in het Latijnse en Cyrillische schrift. Wandelpaden gemarkeerd, hutten zijn aangegeven. Read more
United Kingdom
- Stara Planina Central: Uzana to Vratnik Domino Map
- Stara Planina Central: Uzana to Vratnik map at 1:50,000 from Bulgarian publishers Domino, contoured and GPS compatible, with hiking trails, accommodation options including a list of local mountain refuges, etc. The map is double-sided and covers the mountains from just west of the Uzana massif, the geographical centre of Bulgaria, eastwards to... Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Netherlands
- Wandelkaart 2 Stara Planina gebergte | Domino
- Gedetailleerde kaart met hoogtelijnen en wandelroutes. Tevens aanduiding van campings, hotels, eerste hulpposten, etc. Alle tekst in het Latijnse en Cyrillische schrift. Wandelpaden gemarkeerd, hutten zijn aangegeven. Read more
United Kingdom
- Stara Planina Western: Belogradchik to Berkovita Domino Map
- Stara Planina Western: Belogradchik to Berkovita map at 1:50,000 from Bulgarian publishers Domino, contoured and GPS compatible, with hiking trails, accommodation options including a list of local mountain refuges, etc. The map is double-sided and covers the mountains from the peak of Byala Voda near Belogradchik eastwards to just beyond... Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Netherlands
- Wandelkaart 3 Stara Planina gebergte | Domino
- Gedetailleerde kaart met hoogtelijnen en wandelroutes. Tevens aanduiding van campings, hotels, eerste hulpposten, etc. Alle tekst in het Latijnse en Cyrillische schrift. Wandelpaden gemarkeerd, hutten zijn aangegeven. Read more
United Kingdom
- Stara Planina Western: Berkovita to Zlatitsa Domino Map
- Stara Planina Western: Berkovita to Zlatitsa map at 1:50,000 from Bulgarian publishers Domino, contoured and GPS compatible, with hiking trails, accommodation options including a list of local mountain refuges, etc. The map is double-sided and covers the mountains from Varshets (directly north of Sofia) to just beyond Etrepole.Maps in the... Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
Netherlands
- Wandelkaart 4 Stara Planina gebergte | Domino
- Gedetailleerde kaart met hoogtelijnen en wandelroutes. Tevens aanduiding van campings, hotels, eerste hulpposten, etc. Alle tekst in het Latijnse en Cyrillische schrift. Wandelpaden gemarkeerd, hutten zijn aangegeven. Read more
United Kingdom
- Czech Republic 50K Tourist Atlas
- Czech Republic Tourist Atlas from Shocart with over 600 pages of contoured mapping at an exceptionally detailed scale of 1:50,000 with hiking and cycling trails, presented in an A4 ring-binder with a hard slipcase. Each page is removable so coverage can be easily assembled for just selected parts of the country, or individual pages used on... Read more
United Kingdom
- Rila Mountains Domino
- Rila Mountains at 1:50,000 on a large, double-sided, contoured map with GPS waypoints for shelters and chalets, peaks, etc. and highlighting hiking routes. Topography is shown by contours at 50m intervals with additional relief shading and graphics and colouring for scree, single rocks over 5m high, marshlands and pine scrub and forests. An... Read more
United Kingdom
- Brighton and Lewes, Haywards Heath
- Map No. 198, Brighton and Lewes, in the Ordnance Survey Landranger series at 1:50,000, including Worthing, Horsham, Haywards Heath, Crawley, Burgess Hill, Uckfield, Newhaven, Seaford, Shoreham-by-Sea, Turners Hill, Forest Row, Sinfold, Balcombe, Sharpthorne, Nutley, Ardingly, Handcross, Slinfold, Southwater, Broadford Bridge, Cowfold, Partridge... Read more
- Also available from:
- Ordnance Survey , United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Brighton & Lewes - OS Landranger Active Map Sheet Number 198
- Purchase the Brighton and Lewes folded map: single, sided (boarded cover) from the OS Landranger Map range Read more
United Kingdom
- Brighton & Lewes - OS Landranger Map Sheet Number 198
- Purchase the Brighton and Lewes folded map: single, sided (boarded cover) from the OS Landranger Map range Read more
Netherlands
- Wandelgids - Pelgrimsroute (kaart) 161 Chemins de Compostelle | Michelin
- Heel handzaam boekje met de kaarten voor de route van Le Puy en Velay naar St-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Met praktische informatie zoals overnachtingsplekken, stadsplattegronden, grafieken van landschap, km-traject per pagina met de ingetekende route. Voor de rest van de route naar Santiago kunt u Michelin kaartgids 160 gebruiken Read more
Netherlands
- Wandelkaart Sredna Gora - Bulgarije | Domino
- Gedetailleerde kaart met hoogtelijnen en wandelroutes. Tevens aanduiding van campings, hotels, eerste hulpposten, etc. Alle tekst in het Latijnse en Cyrillische schrift. Wandelpaden gemarkeerd, hutten zijn aangegeven. Read more
Forum
- Matthias 2017-11-29 10:39:51
GPS Tracks herunterladen
- Wie kann ich die ausgeählten GPS Tracks herunterladen.
Da psiert leider nichts. -
- Henk Nouws 2017-11-29 15:54:01
- If the "Get GPX" button doesn't work, which is the case here, try click the square icon in the bottom-right corner of the map. The track will load in a new map, full screen, and this offers the possibility to download GPX files, via the menu.
- patagonius 2015-04-21 15:47:03
E3 in Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland
- Any recent experience walking these sections? Considering flight to Prague in September, buy maps there and sample best parts of E3 in Beskidy and Tatras for four weeks, depart from Krakow. Are markings sufficient to stay on track for linguistically challenged?
Thank You
Paul -
- Henk Nouws 2015-04-22 20:38:29
- Three years ago I walked a small section of the E3 in Slovakia and a 4-days section in Poland, the Beskids, from Krynica to Szcsawnica. The markings are excellent. You will find mountain huts as well. In the lower parts are small and cheap hotels. Maps can be bought locally in the larger villages or on the Internet. I don't speak Polish or Slovakian, but this is not a problem. Try Traildino Mobile to find the GPX track of the Beskids trail or E3.
- patagonius 2015-04-23 04:06:12
- Thanks
Is it possible to biblical or must one seek lodging?
- patagonius 2015-04-23 04:07:38
- Bivouac!
- Henk Nouws 2015-04-23 08:03:49
- I really do not know. These countries are quite populated, and accommodation is cheap. On the other side, the forests are large and people will not easily notice you.
- patagonius 2015-04-24 03:31:42
- Many thanks for direction to the mobile site. Following GR with Cicerone guides and road atlas in the past, keeping on track through towns sometimes difficult.
Happy Trails
P
- BlazeskiD 2015-09-28 17:57:10
- What is the best timing (winter, summer, spring, month...) for starting of this trail?