The silence of the mountains, the only thing you hear are the sounds of nature. Your legs ache from the climb, but it was worth it for the feeling of standing alone here in the middle of untouched nature. You are in a place that can only be reached on foot and after several days. Far off the beaten tourist track. Sounds like something you want to try? Then you’re in the right place in this blog article about long-distance hiking for beginners.

FAQ Long-distance hiking for beginners

In contrast to classic hiking tours, which are usually between two hours and one day long, long-distance hiking takes you on the road for several days. The attraction of this is that you discover places that few people get to see, as they can only be reached on foot. And you experience nature directly and up close. In addition, hiking is demonstrably good for our psyche. And last but not least: You can’t get around in a more environmentally friendly way.

For whom is long-distance hiking suitable?

As soon as you enjoy walking in nature, you should try long-distance hiking. It’s just a completely different feeling to be out in nature on foot for several days at a stretch. Of course, you shouldn’t start from the cold. I can tell you from my own experience that this is not a good idea.

So if you want to prevent knee pain and back problems, you should train for your long tour. Regular walks and shorter hikes with luggage will make you fit for long-distance hiking.

By the way, you can find inspiration for day trips in this blog article and also in this one.

Since hiking is otherwise a very gentle sport, there are hardly any other restrictions, especially since you can adapt your tour to your individual needs.

Do I have to sleep in a tent for that?

You probably have an image of yourself trudging through the mountains with a heavily packed backpack, jingling enamel mug and roll of sleeping mats when you think of long-distance hiking. Then at night, you pitch your tent and toss and turn on the hard ground without sleeping. If that sounds absolutely horrible to you: You don’t have to sleep in a tent when you’re long-distance hiking.

Very popular in the Alps are, for example, hut tours, where you head for various mountain huts where you spend the night. Long-distance hikers without tents are also catered for in Saxon Switzerland, where you can walk from guesthouse to guesthouse.

Do I need special equipment for long-distance hiking?

The most important thing are well-fitting shoes (light trekking shoes or hiking boots; depending on the terrain you are traveling), and a well-fitting backpack. If you already have both, then nothing stands in the way of the adventure 😉 Otherwise, you should go to a specialty store for advice. You don’t want to struggle with blisters and back pain, especially on longer tours.

Quick tips for your equipment:

• Choose as sustainably as possible: Use old, buy second hand (if you know your stuff), choose sustainable brands.
• Sustainable outdoor brands are for example: Vaude, Patagonia, Klättermusen, …
• Does the brand have a repair service?
• Pay attention to durability and robustness
• Go for faux leather or vegan leather if possible, avoid down

Do I have to carry all my equipment? That’s totally heavy!

To make it short: Unless you’re booking a tour with a luggage service, you’ll have to carry all your gear yourself. That means packing light is the order of the day. Professionals manage to stay under 5 kilograms with a backpack, tent, sleeping mat, and sleeping bag. Of course, you also make deductions for comfort. So weigh up whether it really has to be the ultralight sleeping pad if you can’t sleep properly on it.

You can save money, especially on clothing and cosmetics. Take only what you really need. And make sure that cosmetics and detergents do not harm nature!

How do I do this with food on the hike?

When you’re on the road for a long time, you inevitably lug around a whole lot of food. Water and fuel for your stove also belong in your luggage. With the help of a water filter, you can usually fill up your water supply quickly and do not have to carry the entire amount with you, but food and fuel take up a large part of your luggage.

One option is to rely on freeze-dried meals. The absolute disadvantage of this: a lot of plastic. It’s more sustainable to prepare your own meals at home. Anything that tastes good and can be infused with water only is allowed. Get creative here! Another advantage of preparing your meals at home is that you can take them with you in reusable zip bags and look for organic and regional ingredients.

By the way, at the end of a tour I can only recommend you to go out for a really nice meal. You’ll see that it tastes three times as good!

How do I plan a long-distance hike?

Hiking areas or the websites of national parks often offer tour descriptions. Also for multi-day hikes. A good source is also the site Wanderbares Deutschland for Germany and various forums and websites. Also komoot always offers inspiration.

Once you have decided on a region or a tour, take a look at the suggested stages. Most of the time you can vary the length. On the Kungsleden in Sweden, for example, you can combine several stages if you want to do more kilometers per day.

But stay realistic with your mileage estimate. 20 kilometers may not be much on the flat. But if you have to trudge it uphill, it looks quite different. 

Long distance hiking checklist

• Select your region
• Plan your stages
• Check the weather (don’t forget: in summer it stays light longer than in autumn and winter!)
• Select and possibly book accommodation or cabins or campsites
• Obtain equipment, check and test wear
• Write packing list
• Meal Planning
• Enjoy the anticipation!

And after the hike?

Depending on what type of person you are, it is a good idea to relax in a hotel for a few days after your long-distance hike and not have to worry about anything. Not only will your body thank you for it, but this time is also important for your mind. Especially after very long tours, such as a crossing of the Alps, you have a lot to process. Jumping right back into work life can then quickly be overwhelming.

Reflect on your experiences in peace and give yourself time to arrive again. Even a few days with just yourself and nature will do a lot for your inner self 🙂

Long-distance hiking trails for your bucket list

Have we infected you with our long-distance hiking fever? Then we’ll conclude with a good portion of inspiration for long-distance hiking for beginners. And for advanced hikers, too, of course 😀 For each long-distance hiking trail, we’ve also picked out a cozy, sustainable hotel for your final or intermediate relaxation. In addition, these hotels offer some services for long-distance hikers, for example a washing machine. Let us know your favorite at the end!

The Keschtnweg or Eisacktal chestnut hiking trail

This hiking trail is a dream destination not only in autumn. Although autumn is of course predestined for a hike through colorful chestnut groves. Not to mention the Törggele time!

Törggele- what?

Törggelen is a South Tyrolean tradition that has its origins far back in history. Buschenschänken and country inns open their doors and invite you to taste the young wine and South Tyrolean specialties, including of course the “Keschtn” so the chestnuts. An essential part of Törggelen, in addition to food and drink, is also the hike from one farm to the next through the chestnut groves and the cultural landscape of the Eisack Valley and the Ritten.  

With its 63 kilometers, the Keschtnweg is a great introduction to long-distance hiking. It stretches from the monastery of Neustift near Bressanone along the Isarco Valley and across the Rittner plateau to the Bilderburg Runkelstein in Bolzano. It is worthwhile to learn about the history and legends of the region beforehand. You can discover many of the places described along the Keschtnweg.

Relaxation on the Ritten

After a good 60 kilometers on foot, you can add a few days of relaxation to your vacation in South Tyrol. The family-run Hotel Weihrerhof is attuned to long-distance hikers and is happy to welcome them to the hotel. A laundry service and drying rooms are offered. You can also send your luggage in advance if you don’t want to lug all the things you need for a wellness finish across the trail. By the way: not only if you walk the Keschtnweg, the Weihrerhof is on your route. Also from the long-distance hiking trail E5 and the Goetheweg from Munich to Verona, a detour to the Weihrerhof is recommended for intermediate relaxation after crossing the Alps.

ALBTAL.Aussichten – Natur erleben im Schwarzwald

With its 101 kilometers over four stages, the ALBTAL.Aussichten is also very suitable for fit beginners. There are a few meters of elevation to overcome, but these are pleasantly distributed over the stages. The trail begins in the Albtal, the northernmost gateway to the Black Forest, and ends in Waldbronn. On the tour you will experience a landscape that has retained much of its wildness and originality.

At the same time, you’ll discover medieval monastery ruins, such as those of the former Cistercian monastery in Bad Herrenalb. Here, a pine tree grows in the middle of the monastery wall. What is the legend behind it? Well, you will find out during your tour 😉

Stopover or final destination? Your decision!

The sustainable wellness and health hotel SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA is located in Bad Herrenalb. From here it is only a short distance to the monastery ruins. So you don’t necessarily have to walk the whole way for this one. But if you are on the ALBTAL.Aussichten, you can make a stop here after the first two days. Or you can shorten the route and run only two stages, and then enjoy delicious regional food and a round of yoga in the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA.

If you’ve been traveling for a while, you can drop off your laundry at the hotel. Your tired legs and back will surely be happy about one or the other massage or wellness treatment. You can get both in the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA 😉

Across the mountains and hills

The Rhön is a German low mountain range and is one of the most popular hiking regions in Germany. For long-distance hiking fans, there are many routes here. You can easily create your own route here, according to your preferences and abilities. If you don’t feel like it, check out the HOCHRHÖNER®. This is one of the most popular long-distance hiking trails in Germany, and it starts in Bad Kissingen or Bad Salzungen, depending on whether you choose to walk north or south. The route consists of between 87 and 136 kilometers and three alternative routes. The most beautiful sections of the Thuringian and Bavarian Rhön are what they all have in common.

Experience even more of the Rhön

If you started your journey in Bad Salzungen, it is a good idea to take a break at Hotel Sturm at the end of your route. From Bad Kissingen, you will travel to Mellrichstadt, where the certified organic hotel has beautiful rooms, delicious food, and lots of nature. You can finish your hike or plan the next tour through the Rhön here. The biosphere reserve has many attractions and can be explored from the hotel Sturm.

Through the jungle

Not yet as well-known as other corners of Thailand is the national park Khao Sok, which is located about 150 kilometers north of Phuket. It measures over 700 square kilometers and consists mostly of rainforest and limestone mountains. The latter bear witness to its past as a coral reef.

Many hiking trails lead right through the jungle and let you experience this fascinating ecosystem up close. So, really up close (don’t forget the bug spray!) It is therefore recommended to take a guided tour of several days. The experienced guides not only know their way around and prevent you from getting lost, they also know the dangers of the rainforest, like snakes in the grass or in the trees. A very special recommendation is to do a night safari through the jungle: Here you can discover animals that do not show themselves during the day. You should also not miss a cave tour.

Tip for a sustainable trip in Thailand:

Make sure to book locally and explore the jungle with a guide from the region. Also, when booking accommodation in the park, make sure that it is run by Thais and not part of international franchise chains. This will ensure that the money you spend stays in the country and goes directly to the people.

Time out after the adventure

If you wanted the real feel during your jungle stay, then you probably did a tour where you slept in simple accommodations or even in a tent. If you feel like sustainable luxury after that, we can recommend the Keemala on Phuket. Away from the tourist crowds and also surrounded by pristine forest, this villa wonderland boasts unique accommodations, food that mostly comes from its own garden, and the Mala Spa for even more relaxation after your jungle hiking adventure.

Now it’s your turn. Where are you drawn to first?

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