E9 European Coast Path

Understand

The trail is part of the network of long distance walking trails in Europe. This path is planned to connect Tarifa in Spain, the southern-most point of continental Europe (until 2019: Cape St Vincent, Portugal) to Russia (see map to right). Not all sections are completed. While much of the route can be completed by bike, there are pedestrians-only sections.

Prepare

The trail mostly follows national or regional paths, and conditions will vary along the trail, not only due to climate, but also regarding accommodations and other services, and the trail itself. Do your research. From Tarifa in Spain to Braniewo in Poland, and through the Baltic states, all countries on the Coast Path are in the Schengen Area and the EU, so any border crossing should be smooth: usually no controls whatsoever. However, from Braniewo to Nida in Lithuania the Coast Path passes through Kaliningrad Oblast of Russia. As of 2024 the relations between the EU and Russia are frosty (to say the least) and you may have to use an alternative route around Kaliningrad.

Get in

Tarifa is in Andalusia, Spain. It is the endpoint of trails E4 and E12. The airports of Málaga, Jerez de la Frontera and Tangier are an hour or two away. If you are in the region already, you can come by coach. Tallinn on the Gulf of Finland is one possible endpoint. The route should continue to Russia, but with the current (as of 2024) relations between the EU and Russia, you may want to skip that part. Tallinn is well-connected by plane and road, and by ferry from Helsinki in Finland and Stockholm in Sweden. There are also trains to Tallinn, but the connections from outside the country are more complicated.

Walk

Tarifa to Sanlúcar de Guadiana Tarifa is a small historic town by the Strait of Gibraltar, at the southernmost point of mainland Europe. The Coast Path section in southern Spain is still under construction as of 2023. There is a connection by boat from Sanlúcar de Guadiana in Spain to Alcoutim in Portugal, across the Guadiana River.

Alcoutim to Cape St Vincent The Coast Path follows the Grande Randonnée trail GR 13 Via Algarviana from Alcoutim to Cape St Vincent (Cabo de São Vicente), which is Europe's south-western corner.

Cape St Vincent to Santiago do Cacém The Coast Path continues northward to Santiago do Cacém along GR 11, the Vicentine Route – Historical Way, designated a "Leading Quality Trail – Best of Europe". You will mainly follow rural trails in varying landscapes. Where the trail leads through private lands, only pedestrians are allowed.

Santiago do Cacém to Valença The trail from Santiago do Cacém northward to Spain is not yet developed. It leads by the Portuguese coast, perhaps along the Camino Portuguese Coastal Way. The Portuguese legs end in Valença. Across the river Miño and the Spanish border is the Galician town Tui. The old bridge is from 1878.

Tui to Santiago de Compostela The route goes to Santiago de Compostela via Vigo. You could use the Portuguese Way (the coastal and central route rejoin in Redondela near Vigo). Santiago de Compostela is a pilgrimage destination with a magnificent cathedral, the endpoint of the Way of St. James, and the capital city of Galicia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the cathedral and the old city centre.

Santiago de Compostela to Gijón The route leads to Asturias, via Navia to Gijón. In Asturias the route is incomplete, as of 2023.

Gijón to San Sebastián The route continues through Asturias, via the coastal resort town Llanes to the Basque Country, via Zumaia to San Sebastián.

San Sebastián to Hondarribia Hondarribia is a fishing town in the Basque Country, on the Bay of Txingudi, by the border with France. Hendaye is across the border river.

Hendaye to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port The first leg in France is in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques along GR 10, to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-P

Go next

Walking in the United Kingdom E11 GR 92 North Sea Trail Wales Coast Path