Packing List for Long Distance Hikes
Long-distance hiking, trekking, pilgrim walks - the longer the hike, the more important it is to have the right equipment. It is not always easy to find the right balance: carry as little weight as possible and as much equipment as necessary. Because every long-distance hike and every person is different, we only present a suggestion for a packing list here to help you with your individual planning.
Basic equipment for long-distance hiking trails
Each long-distance hiking trail has its own demands for equipment. The geographical location and the difficulty of the route, the season, the weather, the chosen accommodation must be considered in your planning. However, some pieces of equipment must not be missing on any long hike.
A packing list for shorter day hikes can be found here: Packing list for hiking
1. Backpack
The heart of any trekking kit is the backpack. Depending on the length of the trail, it should hold between 40 and 70 litres for long-distance hiking and be perfectly adapted to your body shape. A low weight, a good carrying system and many easily accessible pockets make carrying it a little easier. Before you set off, you should go on a test hike with the fully packed backpack.
Here's what you need to know about packing in general and how you can best distribute the weight of your equipment in your backpack:
With the right packing technique you can make your backpack stable and comfortable. You also store your equipment ...
2. Footwear
Even more important than the backpack are your hiking boots. They must be stable and comfortable and must be broken in properly before the hike. Light trekking shoes or sturdy mountain boots? That depends on the type of trail and your personal preferences. In any case, get detailed advice from a specialist store, because there's nothing you'll regret more on a long-distance hike than having the wrong footwear!
In addition to hiking boots, you should always bring a second pair of light shoes or sandals for the evenings.
There is the right footwear for every application. As a rule of thumb: the more demanding the terrain, the more stable ...
3. Clothing: Outerwear
To be prepared for all temperatures, the well-known "onion principle" has become established: a fast-drying merino shirt as the bottom layer, above which warming layers are added as needed - for example, a longsleeve or a softshell vest. At the top comes a weather-resistant hardshell jacket. So pack:
- Two merino shirts (e.g. long and short)
- Softshell jacket, sweater or vest
- Rain jacket with high water column (best to test beforehand on a rainy day) or rain poncho
4. Clothing: Legwear
Durable and quick-drying hiking pants are available in short and long versions - but also as practical zip-off pants. On wet days, light and waterproof rain pants can be worn over them.
- Two robust hiking pants (short and long or zip-off)
- Rain pants
- Gaiters if necessary
Photo: EdNurg, Adobe Stock
5. Clothing: Underwear and miscellaneous items
Functional underwear keeps you warm in cool temperatures and is breathable and quick-drying in the heat. Ideal is elastic material (merino wool, polyester) with flat seams that fits the body like a second skin.
- underpants, sports bra
- two or three pairs of trekking socks
- nightwear
- multifunctional scarf, hat or cap
- gloves
- sunglasses
6. Telescopic walking sticks
Adjustable telescopic poles give you a secure grip on difficult terrain, support the muscles when walking uphill and relieve your knees when walking downhill.
The correct pole length is determined by your height (rule of thumb: height in centimeters x 0.68). However, this only applies to level terrain - they should be slightly shorter when walking uphill and slightly longer when walking downhill.
7. First Aid kit
A complete first aid kit should not be missing on any long-distance hike. All items that come into contact with open wounds must be sterilely packaged and replaced after a single use. Ready-packed kits are available from many manufacturers, but you should check the completeness of your backpack first aid kit before setting off:
- Blister plaster
- Non-adhesive compresses
- A large wound plaster
- Several small plasters (best to cut yourself)
- Two wound dressings
- Alcohol swabs for disinfection
- Triangular cloth
- Tape roll
- Bandage scissors with blunt tip
- Tweezers
- Disposable gloves
- Rescue blanket
- Signal whistle
- Painkillers
8. Sanitary products
Photo: EdNurg, Adobe Stock
The famous sawed-off toothbrush to save a few grams of weight is more of a running gag among long-distance hikers. If you don't want to go that far, you can still save a lot of weight with good planning.
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Soap and shampoo in travel size
- Sunscreen with a high SPF
- Disinfectant
- Skin cream and lip balm
- Microfiber travel towel (quick drying)
- Razor
- Feminine hygiene items
- Toilet paper and tissues
- Mosquito spray
- Comb and hair ties
9. Food and cooking equipment
If there are many places to stop along the way, only water bottles and snacks should be in your backpack. When trekking through the wilderness, on the other hand, cooking equipment and food for the entire hike must be carried – a large part of the total weight of the backpack.
- Drinking bottles (2 times 1 liter) made of BPA-free plastic or drinking bladder with drinking tube
- For cool temperatures: lightweight insulated bottle for hot drinks
- Water filter
- Provisions and snacks (e.g. trekking dry food, muesli, energy bars, instant coffee)
- Pocket knife
- Gas stove and cartridge
- Pot
- Spoon
- Lighter
Photo: Taryn Elliott, pexels.com
10. Electronics and other equipment
- Multitool with knife and built-in tools
- Cell phone, charger and power bank, solar charger if necessary
- Maps: In case your battery dies on the trail, the classic paper map is invaluable.
- Camera with attachments
- Headlamp
- Seat pad
- Small garbage bags
- Some duct tape for repairs
- Travel documents (ID, booking information, health insurance card)
- Cash
Additional equipment when camping
You can't get any closer to nature, but you will have to carry a lot more weight with you on this type of long-distance hike. If you want to camp near the trail, it is essential to find out in advance about the local rules on nature conservation, especially on (wild) camping and making fires. If necessary, designated camping sites should be reserved in advance.
In any case, equipment should include:
- Tent and pegs
- Camping mat
- Sleeping bag
- Cooking equipment and provisions for all hiking days until the next shopping possibility, see above
- Biodegradable washing detergent and clothesline
- Telephone number and booking confirmation for campsites
Additional equipment for hikes from hut to hut
Photo: Patrik Husar, alpenvereinaktiv.com
For your very first major hike, trekking with a tent is only recommended to a limited extent. Newcomers prefer to approach the adventure of long-distance hiking on trails with good infrastructure. If you are traveling in mountain areas like the Alps, you can often spend the night in huts and refuges and enjoy the sunrise high up in the mountains the next morning.
However, multi-day hut treks should definitely be planned carefully and the overnight stays booked in advance. Especially in the Alps, many popular huts are booked up very quickly. What you should bring:
- Light shoes for inside
- Hut sleeping bag
- Earplugs
- Alpine club card and/or booking confirmation, if necessary
- Phone number of the hut
- Cash in the local currency
Additional equipment in winter
Long-distance hikes are also possible in the winter months! However, there are plenty of things to keep in mind during the planning stage. Which accommodations are open? Are all paths on the route safely passable in winter? How long and difficult can the stages be, so that you can still get to your accommodation in time with less daylight? Are the clothes (especially the shoes!) well insulated, warm and waterproof?
When hiking in winter you should pay even more attention to the weather forecast than in summer, because cold temperatures, snowfall and poor visibility can make hiking quite dangerous. But if you are properly prepared and equipped, you can enjoy the solitude in the snow and the adventure of long-distance hiking in winter! You should bring with you:
- Warm gloves, balaclava or hat and scarf
- Disc attachments for telescopic poles
- Insulated bottle
- Long underwear and additional warm layer of clothing
- Snowshoes
- Crampons
- Warm sleeping bag for sleeping in huts and for camping