European walking route E1

The E1 European long-distance path, or just E1 path, is one of the European long-distance paths designated by the European Ramblers' Association. It has a total length of some . It begins in Norway at Nordkapp, and crosses the Kattegat between Sweden and Denmark by ferry. It passes through Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland to finish at Scapoli, Italy. This path was extended southwards to Sicily, in Italy in 2018.

Specific E1 waymarks are only seen in some locations such as at border crossings or at intersections with other paths, instead, the signs and markings of the local routes which make up the E1 are used. The path is described here in a north to south direction, although it is waymarked in both directions.

Norway

During 2010–2011, the Norwegian Trekking Association created a marked hiking trail from Nordkapp to Kautokeino. Also following the Nordkalottleden Trail and Grensesømmen, this extended the E1 all the way to the North Cape. The Nordkalottleden Trail (Kautokeino-Treriksrøysa-Abisko-Sulitjelma) and Grensesømmen (Sulitjelma-Røssvatnet- Børgefjell- Gressåmoen-Sylan-Grövelsjön) cross the Norwegian-Finnish and Norwegian-Swedish border several times. The route between Nordkapp and Grövelsjön does in part go in very remote areas with very few shelters and very little service available. Parts of the path are unmarked so that the hikers need to find their own route.

Norwegian kick-off

On 4 June 2013 Innovasjon Norge and Norwegian Trekking Association marked the Norwegian part of the path officially opened. The path stretches 2,105 km, and holds 60,000 waymarks on either cairns or tree stems all the way, except through Børgefjell National Park; regulations for Børgefjell National Park prohibits waymarks. The Børgefjell section is only marked on maps. This is also valid for the next section; from the southern tip of Børgefjell National Park in Nord-Trøndelag to Sætertjønnhytta in Steinkjer there are no waymarks by the desire of the Sami people and other considerations.

Route

Parts marked with cairns

Nordkapp → North Cape Tunnel

North Cape Tunnel → Stabbursdalen National Park

Stabbursdalen National Park → Masi

Masi → Kautokeino

Kautokeino → Reisa National Park

Reisa National Park → Käsivarsi Wilderness Area (Finland)

Käsivarsi Wilderness Area (Finland) → Kilpisjärvi (Finland)

Kilpisjärvi (Finland) → Malla Strict Nature Reserve (Finland)

Malla Strict Nature Reserve (Finland) → Goldahytta near Treriksrøysa (Sweden, Finland, Norway)

Goldahytta near Treriksrøysa (Sweden, Finland, Norway) → Øvre Dividal National Park

Øvre Dividal National Park → Altevatnet

Altevatnet → Torneträsk (Sweden)

Torneträsk (Sweden) → Narvikfjellene

Narvikfjellene → Tysfjord

Tysfjord → Stora Sjöfallet National Park (Sweden)

Stora Sjöfallet National Park (Sweden) → Padjelanta National Park (Sweden)

Padjelanta National Park (Sweden) → Junkerdal National Park

Junkerdal National Park → Saltfjellet–Svartisen National Park

Saltfjellet–Svartisen National Park → Okstindan

Okstindan → Børgefjell National Park

Parts only marked on the map

The path goes through Børgefjell National Park and then, from the southern tip of Børgefjell National Park, in Røyrvik, Nord-Trøndelag continues through Røyrvik, over Steinfjellet in Namsskogan and back into Røyrvik. The path continues along Tunnsjøen to Skorovatn in Namsskogan again, over Gruvefjellet to Midtre Nesåvatnet, and then under Nesåpiggen in Røyrvik again. Then, it continues to Skjelbredtunet in Lierne and over Blåfjella–Skjækerfjella National Park to the bordelake Holderen in Snåsa. Gaundalen airport over Skjækerfjella to Sætertjønnhytta in Steinkjer by the lake Skæhkerenjaevrie, close to the geographical centre of Norway there are no hallmarks by wish of Sami people and other considerations.

Sweden

Responsible organisation: Svenska Turistföreningen

Route

The path starts at Grövelsjön (Lake Grövel), which lies near the Norwegian-Swedish border near Idre. It uses a series of connecting established paths down to Varberg, a city on the coast south of Göteborg, from where the ferry to Denmark sails.

From its start it follows Vasaloppsleden, Siljansleden, southern part of the Malingsbo-Kloten Rundan, Bergslagsleden, Västra Vätterleden along the western edge of lake Vättern, a short part of Södra Vätterleden at Ulricehamn and a connecting trail to Sjuhäradsleden, then Knalleleden, Vildmarksleden and Bohusleden to Göteborg and Hallandsleden to Varberg.

Total length of the path in Sweden: appr. 1200 km

From the start at Grövelsjön other established walking paths go further north, for example reaching Hemavan where the well-known Kungsleden goes to Abisko in the far north Sweden.

Practical

The route consist mostly of narrow footpaths running through the forested hills of middle Sweden and avoids most population centers. There are not many shops along the route so it may be necessary to plan or go off-route for supplies. The paths are printed on the Swedish topographic maps so special maps or guidebooks are not necessary. Wild camping in Sweden is allowed. Alternatively there are many ''vindskydd'' along the route. These are simple three-sided log cabins with the open side facing a campfire. They are often in idyllic places and are free to use.

;External links

STF
��Svenska Turistföreningen

Bergslagsleden
��Bergslagsleden website

E1 in Sweden
(in Swedish)

Denmark

Responsible organisation
Dansk vandrelaug

Route

The ferry from Varberg in Sweden arrives in Grenå. The link from Grenå to Vrads Sande on the Hærvej was inaugurated in 2006. The first part of this new stage is the Mols route to Århus. Then it uses the Århus – Silkeborg to Virklund and from Virklund to Vrads on the Horsens Silkeborg naturstien. At Vrads it connects to the historic Hærvej which is followed south to the German border. It meets up with the European walking route E6 near Padborg