The E8 is a 4,450 km European Long Distance Path running from Cork, Ireland to Istanbul, Turkey. In Germany it passes through two distinct federal states: Nordrhein-Westfalen, crossing the Eifel highlands to the Rhine, and Rheinland-Pfalz, where it follows the Rhine and Mosel valleys through the Palatinate Forest — Germany's largest contiguous woodland at 178,000 hectares.
What Is the E8 Long Distance Path in Germany?
The E8 is one of eleven European long-distance paths maintained by the European Ramblers Association (ERA) and waymarked with red-and-white rectangular blazes. Unlike the more famous GR20 or Tour du Mont Blanc, the E8 in Germany carries almost no international foot traffic — you will share these trails almost entirely with local walkers and cycling tourists. That low profile is precisely what makes it worth planning for 2026: well-maintained paths, reliable waymarking, and hut infrastructure built for Germans who hike it quietly every weekend. The NRW section of the E8 and the Rheinland-Pfalz section can each be completed independently as multi-week routes or combined into a continuous German traverse.
The Nordrhein-Westfalen Section: Eifel Highlands to the Rhine
The NRW section enters Germany from Belgium near Aachen, one of the country's oldest imperial cities, and crosses the volcanic plateau of the Eifel before descending to the Rhine at Koblenz. The Eifel is characterised by rounded basalt hills, crater lakes (Maare) formed by volcanic activity, and ancient Roman roads — the Via Agrippa route is visible in several sections. Walking distances average 18–22 km per day on this section, with the terrain more open and exposed than the Rheinland-Pfalz section. Elevation throughout stays below 700 m, but the wind exposure on the plateau makes layering essential even in summer.
The city of Trier — technically just south of the NRW section and accessible within half a day from several trail points — is the oldest city in Germany and an optional detour worth taking. Its Roman amphitheatre and Porta Nigra are visible within a single afternoon walk from the trail corridor.
The Rheinland-Pfalz Section: Rhine Valley and the Palatinate Forest
The Rheinland-Pfalz section follows the Rhine Valley south from Koblenz through one of Germany's most scenically dramatic river corridors — 65 km of steep vineyard terraces, medieval castles and basalt cliff faces that are UNESCO World Heritage listed. The trail then turns inland into the Pfälzerwald, a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve covering 178,000 hectares of relatively flat, sandy-floored spruce and pine forest. The Pfälzerwald section is the longest contiguous forest walk available to hikers in Germany and runs for approximately 120 km with minimal road crossings.
| Section | Terrain | Avg. daily stage |
|---|---|---|
| NRW: Aachen – Eifel Plateau | Rolling highland, volcanic lakes | 18–22 km |
| NRW: Eifel – Koblenz (Rhine) | River descent, Rhine gorge | 15–18 km |
| RP: Rhine Valley UNESCO section | Vineyard terraces, castle ridges | 16–20 km |
| RP: Pfälzerwald Forest | Flat pine forest, sandstone outcrops | 20–25 km |
Trail Difficulty and Who It Suits
Both German E8 sections are graded easy to moderate. The NRW section's Eifel plateau is the most exposed and physically demanding section, with some days crossing moorland with no wind shelter. The Rheinland-Pfalz section's vineyard climbs demand short but steep ascents of 200–300 m before rewarding walkers with long ridge-top views down the Rhine. Neither section requires technical skills — these are trails for confident recreational walkers who want multi-week adventures without carrying rope or ice gear.
For footwear on the varied terrain, the Altra Lone Peak 7 (298 g per shoe, zero-drop platform) works particularly well on the Pfälzerwald's soft sandy floor and the Eifel's open moorland paths, where cushioning matters more than ankle restriction. The Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Poles (127 g per pole) fold compactly enough to stow while crossing Rhine ferry points and expand to full length for the vineyard climbs.
When to Walk and How to Get There
May through October is the practical walking season. June and September are optimal — lower tourist pressure on the Rhine Valley section and predictable weather on the Eifel plateau. The International Cologne-Bonn Airport connects to the NRW trailhead at Aachen by train in under an hour. Frankfurt Airport serves the Rheinland-Pfalz section; a train to Koblenz Hauptbahnhof takes 1 hour 10 minutes (from €19 on an ICE). Germany's rail network makes section hiking and point-to-point logistics genuinely straightforward — a significant practical advantage over more remote European routes.
For broader European hiking context, the best hiking destinations in Europe 2026 guide outlines which countries offer the lowest trail-to-tourist ratios, which informs where routes like the E8 currently punch above their weight. For layering strategy on the Eifel's unpredictable weather, the hiking layering system guide covers the shell, mid and base layer combinations that work best on exposed plateau walking. The Black Forest hiking guide covers another major German walking region that pairs naturally with the E8 Rheinland-Pfalz section for a longer Germany hiking trip.
Accommodation and Costs on the E8 in Germany
Germany's trail accommodation infrastructure is dense by European standards. Gasthäuser (inn-restaurants), Wanderheime (walkers' hostels) and Pensionen (guesthouses) appear every 15–25 km along both sections. Budget €30–60 per night for a room with breakfast. No camping permits are required for wild camping in forests, which are legally permitted in Germany outside designated recreation zones. Total cost for a 3-week combined NRW and Rheinland-Pfalz traverse runs approximately €900–1,400, including transport to Aachen and back from the Palatinate region.
The NEMO Hornet OSMO 1P (625 g, single-wall) is an efficient shelter choice for the E8's drier Pfälzerwald section where wild camping is practical — its condensation management in enclosed forest camping is noticeably better than double-wall ultralight options at similar weight. For navigation, the Garmin eTrex SE Handheld GPS pre-loaded with the E8 GPX track offers a battery-independent backup to phone navigation on the Eifel's low-signal plateau sections.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to hike the E8 in Germany?
The NRW section takes approximately 10–14 days; the Rheinland-Pfalz section takes 14–18 days. Hikers combining both into a continuous German traverse should budget 3.5 to 4.5 weeks, depending on daily mileage targets and rest days. The Pfälzerwald section specifically allows fast-progress days of 25+ km on flat forest paths for walkers wanting to make up time.
Is the E8 well-marked in Germany?
Both German sections are reliably waymarked with the ERA's red-and-white rectangular blazes on trees and posts throughout. The NRW section uses supplementary Eifel Wanderweg signage, and the Rheinland-Pfalz section adds Palatinate Forest waymarking in the Pfälzerwald. Navigation apps like Komoot have GPX tracks for both sections that provide a useful backup on overcast days when blaze visibility is lower.
Can you hike just one section of the E8 in Germany?
Both sections stand alone as excellent multi-week routes and do not require completing the full path. The Rheinland-Pfalz section is more visually dramatic and the better standalone choice for first-time E8 walkers, thanks to the UNESCO Rhine Valley section and the Pfälzerwald's distinctive sandstone landscape. The NRW section suits walkers specifically interested in Eifel geology and Roman history.
What is the best season for the E8 in Germany?
Late May through June and September through early October offer the best combination of dry weather, mild temperatures and lower tourist density on the Rhine Valley section. July and August are viable but busy near Rhine-side towns. The Pfälzerwald section carries minimal seasonal variation in foot traffic and walks well from April through October.