European Ramblers' Association
The European Ramblers Association (ERA); Europäische Wandervereinigung (EWV); Fédération Européenne de la Randonnée Pédestre (FERP), is a network organisation working for promotion of walking, hiking, creating trails, exchange of the know-how over the borders and secure the rights of free access to nature for the walkers. Through this work, ERA also cares for protecting and developing of European cultural heritage and for strengthening of mutual understanding between European citizens.
| Sport | Hiking |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | ERA-EWV-FERP |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Headquarters | D - 34121 Kassel |
| President | Boris Micic, Serbia |
| Official website | |
| www | |
Already at the beginning of its existence, ERA started creating a network of European long-distance paths maintained by its member organisations to make it possible to walk all over Europe on foot to strengthen the connection people to people over the borders. From 2017 the network consists of 12 E-paths and covers more than 70.000 km crisscrossing Europe. An E-path is a long-distance path crossing a minimum of 3 European countries. Marking and maintenance of the path is the responsibility of the member organisations.[1]
To bring walkers in Europe together, ERA organizes every 5 years a pan-European walking event EURORANDO. Next edition is in 2021.[2]
In order to secure a high standard of European paths, ERA developed a transparent system of criteria for the improvement of trail quality: Leading Quality Trails – Best of Europe. These criteria assess the trail surface format, the marking, signposting and network with other walking trails. Part of the criteria is also the service for walkers along the trail or access points for a transport.
The Leading Quality Trails (LQT) are certified walking routes in Europe. Certification is only available for complete trails. Prerequisite is a distance of at least 50km with three daily stages.[3]
Further, through its programme Walk Leader ERA provides certification for the training of voluntary walk leaders performed by its member organisations.
ERA was founded in 1969. In 2018 its members are 58 walking organisations from 33 different European countries representing more than 3 mill registered walkers.[4]