European network of long-distance hiking trails

If you are interested in hiking, you have surely heard about long hiking trails with tough conditions that run across the American continent. But we Europeans don't need to despair at all, because countless beautiful long-distance hiking trails also lead through European territory, and there are quite a few of them. You definitely don't need to fly across the big pond just to stretch your boots on a proper trip! Several European long-distance trails also run through the Czech Republic, which is great because we can start long-distance hiking right from our own regions. So, which way to go?

Hiking enthusiasts and members of various European hiking clubs had a great idea in 1969: to establish a hiking association tasked with mapping and creating a network of long-distance hiking trails across Europe.

European Association of Tourist Clubs

Hiking enthusiasts and members of various European hiking clubs had a great idea in 1969: to establish a hiking association tasked with mapping and creating a network of long-distance hiking trails across Europe. Eventually, the association managed to map 55,000 kilometers, which you can traverse throughout Europe. There are now a total of 12 trails available, and you can find them under the designation with a capital letter E and numbers 1-12. I think there is plenty to choose from; you just need to decide what kind of trip you want to take and where the route should lead. The trails vary in length and difficulty and connect different European countries.

Which long-distance hiking trails run through the Czech Republic?

The Czech Republic is now crossed by four routes out of a total of twelve long-distance routes. The long-distance routes that pass through the Czech Republic are designated as E3, E10, and two others that cross the country only slightly on the edge, which are routes E6 and E8. We will focus on where exactly they lead in the following points.

Route E3

The total length of this long-distance route is 6,950 kilometers. It takes you from the Spanish Santiago de Compostela to the Black Sea in Bulgaria. In Czechia, the route passes from Pomezí nad Ohří through the Ore Mountains, Elbe Sandstone Mountains, Lusatian and Jizera Mountains to the Krkonoše Mountains, where in Harrachov this long-distance route crosses into Polish territory and then returns through Kralický Sněžník, the High and Low Jeseník, and from the Beskydy continues to Slovakia. Along the route, you will visit several European countries, such as Portugal, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Czechia, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria. So, there is no shortage of European countries to discover on this route!

Route E10

This hiking trail is still awaiting completion, with the intention of connecting Finland to Spain. Therefore, the total length of the trail is not yet that long. It currently measures about 2,880 kilometers and passes through the Czech Republic from the northern border with Germany. The route goes through Varnsdorf, Nový Bor, Česká Lípa, Doksy, Bezděz, and continues to the beautiful Kokořínsko, Prague, then through Karlštejn, Písek, the České Budějovice region, Krumlov, Lipno nad Vltavou, where in Šumava the Czech route ends and continues into Austria. Thanks to this trail, you have a great opportunity to visit many beautiful Czech landmarks.

Route E6

The route leads from the east coast of Sweden through Denmark, Germany, Austria, and ends in Slovenia. From start to finish, the route measures about 5,200 kilometers and in the Czech Republic, this long-distance trek stretches through Cheb, Mariánské Lázně to the Alžbětín border crossing.

Route E8

From Ireland to Ukraine. This is exactly the route that the entire long-distance trail E8 covers. You can wander along this trail for a total of 4,390 kilometers, but you won't spend much time on this trek in the Czech Republic. Here, you'll pass through the area around Vranov nad Dyjí, and even so, the route is not very clearly marked when it comes to Czech territory.

Route marking

Each country has different markings for its hiking trails, but when it comes to European long-distance trails, there is always a unified marking. As I mentioned above, these will always be labeled E1-E12. In most European countries, you will find hiking signs where you can also encounter this marking, but be careful, not all countries ensure quality marking of hiking trails. Therefore, it is advisable to plan the route in advance using a map and stick to it. In our region, you will mostly find signposts with the names of the trails, and at the tip of the sign, you will also encounter the marking of long-distance hiking routes.

Each country has different markings for its hiking trails, but when it comes to European long-distance trails, there is always a unified marking.

Outside of the European long-distance routes, you can also try the pilgrimage known as the Way of St. James, which you will find under the designation I24. It is one of the twelve historical pilgrimage routes that lead to Santiago de Compostela in Spain to the tomb of Saint James the Greater.

Many European long-distance trails are still in the planning stages, but their goal is already clear. From where to where should the rest of the trails lead?

E1 – from Nordkapp (North Cape) to Italy (4,900 km)

E2 – from the coast of Ireland to France (4,850 km)

E3 – from Istanbul, Turkey, to Cape Saint Vincent in Portugal (6,950 km)

E4 – from Portugal to Cyprus (10,450 km)

E5 – from France to the Italian Venice (3,050 km)

E6 – from Finland to the Turkish Dardanelles Strait (5,200 km)

E7 – from Lisbon to Ukraine (4,330 km)

E8 – from the Dursey Head peninsula to Istanbul (4,390 km)

E9 – from Portugal to Estonia up to the Russian border (5,000 km)

E10 – from northern Finland to Tarifa (2,880 km)

E11 – from The Hague in the Netherlands all the way to Russia (2,070 km)

E12 – from Spain to Italy (2,880 km)

Tourists and adventurers definitely have plenty to choose from. Long-distance trails really crisscross all of Europe, and once the entire network of long-distance trails is completely finished, it will be fantastic! Now, you can plan over the winter which hike you'll undertake in the summer. Then all you need to do is pack the essentials into a backpack—I personally prefer to travel lightly—and set out towards new adventures across our beautiful Europe. It's great that we can start right here on several trails. So, happy hiking, and take care during your wanderings!