E9 European long distance path, Coastal hiking trail between Spain and Estonia
The E9 is a long-distance hiking trail that runs about 9,880 kilometers along the Atlantic and North Sea coasts through several European countries. The route begins in southern Spain and heads north to Estonia along the continent's outer edges.
The route developed gradually as a European long-distance hiking system, with its southern starting point moved in 2019 from Cape Saint Vincent in Portugal to Tarifa in Spain. This shift created a complete coastal path from the continent's southernmost point to the Baltic Sea.
The path links coastal communities where locals have shaped their way of life around the sea for generations. Walking these routes, you pass through places where the relationship between people and ocean remains woven into daily habits and local traditions.
The route requires careful planning for ferry crossings between land sections, particularly between France and Great Britain. Hikers traveling during peak season should book accommodations ahead of time, as popular stages fill up quickly.
In the Netherlands, the trail follows five connected paths that together form the coastal route from the Belgian to the German border. Hikers notice these sections for their changing landscapes and the closeness they bring to the North Sea.
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