Long-distance and long-distance hiking trails in the Salzkammergut

Packing list for long-distance hikes

Long-distance hiking, trekking, pilgrimage - the longer the hike, the more important the right equipment is. It is not so easy to find the right balance: as little weight as possible, as much equipment as necessary. Because every long-distance hiking trail and every person is different, we only present you a suggestion for a packing list to help you with individual planning.

Basic equipment for long-distance hiking trails

Every long-distance hiking trail has different requirements for equipment. The geographical location and difficulty of the route, the season, the weather, the chosen accommodations must be taken into account in the planning. However, some pieces of equipment should not be missing on any longer tour.

You can find a packing list for shorter day hikes here: Packing list for hiking

Backpack

The heart of any trekking equipment is the backpack. Depending on the length of the tour, it should hold between 40 and 70 liters for long-distance hiking and be perfectly adapted to your body shape. A low weight, a good carrying system and many easily accessible compartments make carrying a bit easier. Before you start, you should try a test hike with the packed

Footwear

Almost more important than the backpack are the hiking boots. They must be stable and comfortable and must be well broken in before the tour. Light trekking shoes or sturdy mountain boots? It depends on the type of tour and your personal preferences. In any case, get detailed advice from the specialist shop, because nothing you regret more when long-distance hiking than the wrong footwear!

In addition to your hiking boots, you should always have a second pair of light (hut) shoes or sandals with you for the evening when hiking long-distance.

Clothing: Underwear and other

Functional underwear warms in cool temperatures and is breathable and quick-drying in heat. Elastic material (merino wool, polyester) with flat seams that fits the body like a second skin is ideal.

• Underpants, sports bra
• Two or three pairs of trekking socks
• Nightwear
• Multifunctional scarf, hat or cap
• Gloves
• Sunglasses

• Telescopic hiking poles
• Photo: Catstyecam, Adobe Stock

Adjustable telescopic poles give you a secure grip on difficult terrain, support the muscles when walking uphill and relieve your knees when going downhill.

The correct pole length is measured by body height (rule of thumb: height x 0.68). However, this only applies to flat terrain – they should be a little shorter when going uphill, and a little longer when going downhill.

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 sterile packed and replaced after a single use. Ready-packed sets are available from many manufacturers, but you should check the backpack pharmacy for completeness before you start hiking:

Blister plasters
non-stick compresses
a large plaster
several small plasters (best for self-cutting)
two wound dressings
Alcohol swabs for disinfection
Triangular scarf
Adhesive plaster roll
Bandage scissors with blunt tip
Tweezers
Disposable gloves
Bivouac bag or rescue blanket
Signal whistle
Painkillers

Toiletries
Don't forget sunscreen!
Don't forget sunscreen!

The famous sawed-off toothbrush to save a few grams of weight is more of a running gag among long-distance hikers. Even if you don't want to go that far, you can reduce a lot of weight with good planning.

Toothbrush and toothpaste
Travel-sized soap and shampoo
Sunscreen with a high sun protection factor
Disinfectant
Skin cream and lip balm
Microfibre travel towel (quick-drying)
Razor
Feminine hygiene products
Toilet paper and tissues
Mückenspray
Comb and hair ties

Food and cooking equipment

If there are many places to stop for refreshments 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 must be carried for the entire hike - a large proportion of the total weight of the backpack.

• Drinking bottles (2 x 1 litre) made of BPA-free plastic or hydration bladder with drinking tube
• For cool temperatures: lightweight thermos bottle for hot drinks
• Water
• Provisions and snacks (e.g. trekking dry food, muesli, energy bars, coffee powder)
• Pocket knife
• Gas stove and cartridge
• Pot
• Spoon

Electronics and other equipment

Multi-tool with knife and integrated tool
Mobile phone, charging cable and power bank, solar charger if necessary
Map material: If the mobile phone battery runs out on the road, the classic paper map is indispensable.

• Camera with accessories
• Headlamp
• Seat Pad
• Small garbage bags
• some duct tape for repairs
• Travel documents (IDs, booking information, health insurance card)
• Cash

Additional equipment when camping
Foto: Red Riding Hood, Adobe Stock

You can't get any closer to nature, but you can carry much more weight with you on this type of long-distance hiking. If you want to camp near the trail, it is essential to inform yourself in advance about the local rules for nature conservation, especially for (wild) camping and making fires. Designated tent sites should be reserved in advance if necessary.

In any case, the equipment includes:

• Tent and pegs
• Isomatte
• Sleeping bag
• Cooking equipment and provisions for all hiking days until the next shopping opportunity, see above
• Biodegradable Hand Wash and Clothesline
• Telephone number and booking confirmation for campsites

Additional equipment for hut tours

For the very first major hike, trekking with a tent is only conditionally recommended. Newcomers prefer to approach the adventure of long-distance hiking on paths with good infrastructure. Those who are out and about in the mountains can often spend the night in huts and enjoy the sunrise high up in the mountains the next morning.

However, multi-day hut tours should be planned precisely and the overnight stays booked in advance. Especially in the Alps, many popular huts are booked up very quickly. What you should have with you:

• Hut shoes
• Hut sleeping bag
• Earplug
• If applicable, Alpine Club ID and/or booking confirmation
• Telephone number of the hut
• Cash in local currency

Additional equipment in winter

Long-distance hikes are also possible in the winter months! However, there are many things to consider during the planning stage. Which accommodations are open? Are all paths on the route safe to walk on in winter? How long and difficult can the stages be so that you can still get to your accommodation in time when there is less daylight? Are the garments (especially the shoes!) well insulated, warm and waterproof?

When long-distance 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! The following should be included:

• Warm gloves, balaclava or hat and scarf
• Plate attachments for telescopic poles
• Thermos
• Long underwear and extra warm layer clothing
• Snowshoes
• Grödeln
• Warm sleeping bag for overnight stays in huts and for camping
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