E11 hiking trail: route guide

The E11 is one of eleven long-distance footpaths coordinated by the European Ramblers Organization (ERA-EWV-FERP). It starts at the Kurhaus in Scheveningen on the Dutch coast, runs east across the Netherlands and Germany, and continues into Poland. Day-to-day marking and re-routing are handled by the Dutch ramblers' organisation Wandelnet, German regional rambling clubs and the Polish national hiking organisation PTTK.

The line follows rivers for long stretches — the IJssel in the Netherlands, the Elbe and Havel in Germany, the Oder on the German-Polish border, and the Vistula in Poland — crossing them by bridge or ferry. Apart from the Harz mountains, the land is flat or gently rolling. In the Netherlands and western Germany the trail uses regional footpaths closed to other traffic; east of the Harz it was laid out after the fall of the Iron Curtain and can also be cycled; in Poland it stitches together parts of local and regional trails.

Distances below are approximate stage lengths between towns, not official daily targets. Treat them as a planning grid and split them as your fitness and the weather allow.

The Dutch section is the easiest introduction: coastal dunes out of Scheveningen, then riverbank walking along the IJssel. Western Germany crosses a belt of low Ice Age hills before the Harz, the only real climb on the whole route. East of the Harz the profile flattens again through Brandenburg and the Oder valley, and the Polish section mixes forest, farmland and the lake country of Masuria.

Late spring to early autumn is the practical window. May and June bring long daylight and fresh green, July and August are warmest and busiest, and September is often the best balance of dry weather and quiet paths. Winter walking is possible on the lowland sections but daylight is short, and the Harz holds snow.

Two things move with the season: river ferries, which run a reduced timetable or stop outside the summer months, and campsites, many of which close from October to April. Check ferry times locally before committing to a stage that depends on a crossing.

The E11 passes through or near towns at the end of most stages, so you are rarely far from a bed. In the Netherlands and Germany expect a mix of campsites, guesthouses, small hotels and the occasional hostel; in Poland guesthouses and agrotourism farms are common along the trail. Booking ahead matters in July and August, and around public holidays.

Wild camping is restricted in the Netherlands and Germany, so plan around official campsites or paid accommodation. Long-distance walkers often use luggage transfer between overnight stops; this is a commercial service, so confirm availability and price locally.

The biggest danger on the E11 is barely visible: the tick. Along the whole route ticks are known to carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, and east of the Harz they may also carry the virus that causes tick-borne meningoencephalitis (TBE). There is no prophylaxis against Lyme disease, so the defence is prevention and daily checks.

Walk in long trousers in tall grass, use repellent, and check your body each evening. Remove an attached tick promptly with fine tweezers. Vaccination against TBE is worth discussing with a travel clinic before you head into the Harz or further east. Carry a paper map or offline maps: waymarking is generally good but can be thin at junctions and in towns.