Acknowledgement is given to the ERA for material from the ERA's website used above. Set in western Alentejo, the Fisherman’s Trail is well-known for being one of Portugal’s best hiking paths, and with thrilling clifftop sections, electric blue waters, fascinating wildlife and fragrant wild flowers, it’s not hard to see why. The National Trails are long distance walking routes, with some accessible for cyclists and horse riders. The Irish section is currently non-existent. A significant part of the E-Routes in the UK comprise sections of several of the National Trails, as named in the lists above. However, the British Long Distance Walkers Association defines long-distance footpaths as … All these wonders are married together with a fantastic climate to make this a hiking trail that’ll stay in your memory for a lifetime. The LDWA informs its members about updates as new publications are produced for the constituent routes, through the LDP News features that appear regularly three times a year in its members' journal, Strider. In continental Europe, routes are linked via a border crossing; with countries like the UK, where there are no land borders, the links are via ferry ports. The 186-mile path snakes and bends through magically rugged clifftops, intimate coves and impressively vast beaches. Several entry points allow trekkers to either hike a short part if they don’t want to trek the whole distance. South West Coast Path National Trail: Plymouth to Studland; Sandbanks Ferry; Bournemouth Coast Path: Sandbanks to Lymington. The Irish section is currently non-existent. It also takes in some of the tallest marine cliffs in Europe. Mallorca boasts incredible undulating coastal walks, secluded coves, the smell of citrus everywhere, and remarkable hotels in unforgettable settings. Hiking trails in Europe, long distance hiking trails offers reports of long-distance hiking trails in many European countries, mostly still undiscovered, but beautiful hiking areas. E8 Trans Pennine Trail, section from Liverpool to Hull. The website of the European Ramblers Association at www.era-ewv-ferp.com gives information on E-Routes, both in the UK and the overall European network. Corsica's long distance footpaths offer a unique trekking experience to hikers of all fitness level and proficiency. Each day brings something different. From the bay of Mont Saint-Michel to the pink granite coast, there are plenty of landmarks along the way to make this one fascinating hike. • landsendjohnogroats.info Continental Divide Trail, US Interview: Walking 1,000 miles around Wales… with a donkey! The classic route is normally walked anti-clockwise over 11 days. Understand [] The extensive network of walking paths in France is overseen by the Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pédestre (), an organisation which maintains, with the assistance of an army of dedicated volunteers, all walking paths throughout the country.Long-distance paths, or Grand Randonnée, are referred to as GR paths and use a system of red and white blazes to mark the way. An extraordinary journey for anyone wanting to explore one of t… Want to find out about a long distance path? The satisfaction of completing a multi day walk is immense. Destinations. The 3014-mile (4850 km) route starts in Stranraer, then goes through Southern Scotland, with variants through Eastern England and the Netherlands or Central and Southern England and Flanders to Antwerp, then Ardennes, Luxembourg, Vosges, Jura, Grande Traversée des Alpes (this section is the well-known GR5) to Nice. This enchanting long-distance trail is soaked in fascinating history, idyllic temperatures, challenging sections, breathtaking viewpoints and vibrant Turkish culture – so make sure you bring your camera. The best walking destination in Europe for: otherworldly scenery. Held every year in a different part of the country, to coincide with the late May Bank Holiday, up to 500 people gather to walk 100 miles in 48 hours. The E2 runs from Galway to Nice. All 15 trails can be found in England and Wales, cover a total 4,000 km or so and each are looked after by individual Trail Partnerships. Ever since the concept of establishing these European Long Distance routes in the UK was raised, the Long Distance Walkers Association (LDWA) has not only taken an interest in, but was closely involved in the establishment of these routes up to  the early 2000s as an initial implementing body in the UK. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. There is no European 'standard' for these routes and the designation, waymarking and maintenance of the individual sections is the responsibility of the organisations in the country or region concerned. Running for about 540 kilometres along Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, from Fethiye to Antalya, the Lycian Way is an extraordinary trail that combines several shorter ancient trails. See our privacy policy for details on how we manage your data. Apt, then, that this coast-to-coast hike – the Caribbean’s first long-distance trail – bears that name, as it snakes across Dominica’s profusely green and volcanically craggy land. At first there were only 6 routes but as organisations from more countries joined, the number has now risen to 12 (E1-E12). Your data is completely safe and we do not record any personally identifiable information. LDWA is run entirely by volunteers and we work hard to keep costs as low as possible. Mallorca – Deia to Valldemossa. A long-distance trek in its own right, the 124-mile (199.5 km) route is also part of the Wales Coast Path and is located on the isle of Anglesey in the north-west corner of the country. Currently three E-Routes, E2, E8 and E9, go through Britain. The Lycian Way, dubbed as the ‘trail of ghosts’, is a stunning 335-mile coastal path that twists and stretches along the coastal cliffs of the ancient coast of Lycia, in Turkey. Latest News: Change to election of Officers for 2021 Read more. Information about getting there, trail accommodations, route maps, and information about the trail itself from folks who've walked them. Registered Office: Bellevue, Princes Street, Ulverston, Cumbria LA12 7NB. The links on our paths pages take you to useful sites that provide one or more of the following: outline route information, sources of leaflets or guides, maps – sectional or route schematics. The 1,970ft high Slieve League Cliffs. The E8is a 2728-mile (4390 km) route from East Cor… So, you can look good and feel comfortable on the trails! Recognised Long Distance Walks in excess of 100km in Great Britain are eligible for IVV Awards. The following sections summarise the development of the three E-Routes (E2, E8 and E9) that include sections in the UK, listing the constituent paths that make up these UK sections. France’s GR34 takes you on an incredible journey among beautifully jagged cliffs, intricate bays and soul-stirring scenery. These routes have an ancient Christian history and were created after the discovery of St James’ tomb in the north-west of Spain in 814 AD. Find the most amazing coastal walks in Europe. The E9, the 'Atlantic and Baltic Path' from Portugal to Estonia, includes a section along the South Coast of England giving a total distance of 3418 miles (5500 km). Some short linking sections are not yet waymarked. There is a common entry website for these routes at www.nationaltrail.co.uk that links to the sites for each trail, where publication and accommodation information can be found. The paths that make up the two E2 main variants, and the E8 and E9 sections comprise: E2 (Central/Southern Variant: Stranraer - Dover). Entire Length: 309 km / 192 miles Country: England Best time to go: late spring until early autumn Why is this one of the best long-distance walks in the UK? The E-Routes are initiatives of walkers' and ramblers' groups in many European countries, who are members of the European Ramblers Association (ERA). Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 7NB. This trail is now an official part of the so-calledE9 European long-distance trail orEuropean Coastal Path. However, the routes are long, ranging from 87-1,000 km (54-621 miles), the longest being the Chemin de Paris and the Via de la Plata. The E2runs from Galway to Nice. © Copyright 2020 - The Long Distance Walkers Association. Sunday Afternoons have an incredibly vast range of hats and head wear suitable for many different adventures, and the best bit, their product range is also fashionable and stylish. Please click the button to acknowledge and approve our use of cookies during your visit. From walking a rarely travelled section of Nepal’s Great Himalayan Trail to collecting stamps in your Pilgrim’s Passport on Spain’s Camino de Santiago, we have rounded up our Top 10 favourite walking holidays which take you to the best sections of famous long-distance trails. The Wild Atlantic Way in north-west Ireland is the longest signed coastal route in the world extending to a total of 1,700 miles – and it was once a popular pilgrims’ route. A Challenge event is a longer, organised, walk mostly on footpaths and other Public Rights of Way, across open fields and moors, avoiding tarmac as much as possible. Long distance walks are becoming increasingly popular in Britain. In the development of these E-routes within the UK no new footpaths have been created: all three routes (E2, E8 and E9) use existing, often well-established long distance paths that have been linked together along with a few relatively short linking sections to create the final route. Walking the path is a fantastic mix of Italian architecture and outstanding natural beauty, which makes for one heck of an adventure. With so many beautiful options to choose from, we sought the help of our friends at Sunday Afternoons, a brand that manufactures fashionable hats that are suitable for adventuring, to help us find five of the best coastal hikes in Europe. I would like to receive competitions, exclusive offers and other promotional emails from Wired for Adventure, I understand that I can unsubscribe at any time. It includes schematic maps of the full European network and of each route individually, indicating which sections are completed. The great thing a long-distance walk is it doesn’t have to be done in one go. For the more active traveller, Europe provides excellent opportunities for long distance walking, where you can follow long-distance walking trails and take in some of Europe's finest scenery, while getting fit at the same time.Whether going on a trans-continental odyssey or a leisurely weekend stroll, you will find a trail to suit you. There are currently 45 local groups and being a member of one of these is great fun! We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. But knowledge, like life and a fine wine, is better shared. Overview map for Long Distance Paths and Walks The map below shows a general overview of the location of the Long Distance Paths recorded in the LDWA database, updated approximately every 3-6 months Click the relevant icon on the map for more information about the walk/path E-Routes are marked, in part, on new editions of OS maps. Local groups host regular group walks led by one of their members and some also organise social events and longer trips. There are long distance paths everywhere from canal towpaths and lowland farmland to coastlines and hills. This form collects your contact information. Registered in England, number: 3719756. The challenge is to the individual, e.g. For the E9 from Lymington there are mainland and Isle of Wight (IoW) variants: Mainland variant: Solent Way: Lymington to Portsmouth. One of Britain’s classic walking routes, the Coast to Coast, was originated and described by Alfred Wainwright, author of a well-known series of mountain-walking guide books on the English Lake District. Anyone who feels that LDWA has gone the extra mile to provide exceptional service is particularly encouraged to use this facility. There are lots of epic hikes in the UK, including some awesome long-distance trails and multi-day hikes too!If you’re up for a challenge here are the best long-distance walks in the UK.. Also included are a few difficult hiking challenges too, who doesn’t like a long-distance walking challenge!. That’s why we’re happy to share our nine best walking routes in Europe (in no particular order). The path itself is nestled within the borders of Cinque Terre National Park, and the entire area is laced with exceptional views and landscapes. Photo by Didier Weemaels, licensed under CC BYUsually referred as the TMB, the Tour du Mont Blanc is one of the best hiking trails in Europe. There is no formal definition of a long-distance footpath. The total distance is around 1,250 miles but maybe you want to take in the Lake District or the Cairngorms and add to that. A challenging 30-mile day hike through the uninhabited mountain range of Nephin Beg, along the waymarked Bangor … The Lycian Way, dubbed as the ‘trail of ghosts’, is a stunning 335-mile coastal path that twists and stretches along the coastal cliffs of the ancient coast of Lycia, in Turkey. The 3014-mile (4850 km) route starts in Stranraer, then goes through Southern Scotland, with variants through Eastern England and the Netherlands or Central and Southern England and Flanders to Antwerp, then Ardennes, Luxembourg, Vosges, Jura, Grande Traversée des Alpes (this section is the well-known GR5) to Nice. The most popular month for these trips is September. South West Coastal Path, England The longest National Trail in the U.K. stretches 630 miles (1,014 kilometers) from Minehead in Somerset, west along … E2 (Eastern Variant: Stranraer - Harwich). Currently three E-Routes, E2, E8 and E9, go through Britain. European Coastal Path starts in Cabo de São Vicente … It traverses 170km (110 mi) passing through the countries of France, Italy and Switzerland to circumnavigate the entire Mount Blanc Massif in the Western Alps. Southern Upland Way and St Cuthbert's Way (as above); Pennine Way National Trail: Kirk Yetholm to Middleton in Teesdale; Teesdale Way: Middleton in Teesdale to Middlesbrough; Tees Link: Middlesbrough to Guisborough; Cleveland Way National Trail: Guisborough to Filey; Yorkshire Wolds Way National Trail: Filey to Hessle, Humber Bridge, Hessle to Barton-upon-Humber; Viking Way: Barton-upon-Humber to Rutland Water; Hereward Way: Rutland Water to Ely; Fen Rivers Way: Ely to Cambridge; Fleam Dyke and Roman Road Walk: Cambridge to Linton; Icknield Way Trail: Linton to Stetchworth; Stour Valley Path: Stetchworth to Dedham; Essex Way: Dedham to Harwich. If you want to walk any of these fantastic hiking paths, you’ll need to keep your self protected from the sun with appropriate head wear that can keep up with your adventures. It is one of the European long-distance hiking trails, which is well known to coastal hiking lovers. There’s just something spectacular about embarking on coastal hikes in Europe. The waymarking in the UK is mainly that of the underlying routes. 30 miles in 10 hours, it is NOT a race. They link together established routes in member countries/regions to form international routes, with the aim of encouraging cross-border walking, thereby furthering contacts and understanding among the peoples of Europe. 10 of the most beautiful national parks in Europe, Pen y Fan: Everything you need to know about hiking this popular peak. IoW variant: Lymington to Yarmouth Ferry; Isle of Wight Coastal Path: Yarmouth to Needles; Tennyson Trail: Needles to Carisbrooke; local route: Carisbrooke to Newport; Bembridge Trail: Newport to Bembridge; Isle of Wight Coastal Path: Bembridge to Ryde; Ryde to Portsmouth Ferry. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Currently 12 European Long Distance Paths have been established that cross several countries and are each several thousand miles in length. In the UK both the Long Distance Walkers Association and the Ramblers are members of the ERA. There are over 100,000 kilometres of walking trails, crossing the country in all directions; but it is in the areas of "wild France" that the paths are most numerous, and most popular.The map below shows many of the longest and most popular hiking trails in France. Bellevue, Princes Street, The ERA itself and many of its member organisations in mainland Europe are largely run by unpaid volunteers and this should be borne in mind when contacting them. Many long distance paths pass through a variety of different landscapes. It has been agreed by the ERA to also identify the routes with a blue shield, the yellow stars of Europe and the corresponding number of the E-route. Many of the other major constituent routes have websites of a user group or association for the route while many are covered on the sites of their local authorities. Long distance walks can be undertaken anywhere, even in a city (though few would want to do this). France is a country well equipped with long- distance footpaths or hiking trails. These E-Paths are waymarked and maintained by the members of the European Ramblers Association (ERA – EWV – FERP). The challenge of walking day after day is enticing. 1. To comply with EU Directives we are informing you that our website uses cookies for services such as memberships and Google Analytics. Translating in English as the ‘five lands’, the Cinque Terre trail stitches together a rich tapestry of five picturesque towns on the western Italian coast. Indeed, without them the LDWA would not exist. The walk: The native Carib-Kalinago called Dominica ‘Waitukubuli’ (‘tall is her body’) after the island’s mountainous spine. I have included in this section a list of my favourite Long Distance Walks (or Trails as they are increasingly referred to). Typically, around the world, it will be at least 50km (30mi) long. The trail stretches a whopping 1,056 miles along Brittany’s sublime Emerald Coast and takes you through some of the most unforgettable landscapes imaginable. Bangor Trail, Co Mayo, Ireland. To check out the full range and to find out more about the company, head over to the Sunday Afternoons website. This website includes a searchable database of over 1,500 UK paths and trails covering more than 88,000 miles. As these walking trails are becoming more popular and extensive, the BWF will now credit a walker with IVV Distance and Event stamps Southern Upland Way: Stranraer to Melrose; St Cuthbert's Way: Melrose to Kirk Yetholm; Pennine Way National Trail: Kirk Yetholm via Middleton in Teesdale, where the Eastern section leaves, to Standedge; Oldham Way: Standedge to Mossley; Tameside Trail: Mossley to Broadbottom; Etherow - Goyt Valley Way: Broadbottom to Compstall; Goyt Way: Compstall to Disley; Gritstone Trail: Disley to Rushton Spencer; Staffordshire Way: Rushton Spencer to Cannock Chase; Heart of England Way: Cannock Chase to Bourton-on-the-Water; Oxfordshire Way: Bourton-on-the-Water to Kirtlington; Oxford Canal: Kirtlington to Oxford; Thames Path National Trail: Oxford to Weybridge; Wey Navigations: Weybridge to Guildford; North Downs Way National Trail: Guildford to Dover. 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