1. The right footwear
Hiking is only fun when your shoes don’t pinch and your toes have room to move. Hiking is great when you can rely on a non-slip sole on muddy sections of trail.
2. The right clothing
Once you realize that hiking is your thing, you should buy some good outdoor performance clothing. The point is that you don’t overheat when it’s hot, don’t freeze when it’s cold, and don’t get soaked to your underwear when it rains. In other words: quick-drying, moisture-wicking materials with a breathable membrane.
3. Tick vaccination
Unfortunately, ticks are spreading more and more throughout German forests, and many tick bites go unnoticed. Especially if you—like me—prefer hiking in shorts when the weather is nice, you should ask your family doctor about vaccination against Lyme disease.
4. The right trail
Hike on beautiful trails. Yes, you can measure the beauty of hiking trails. Few paved sections, plenty of variety (views, forests, rocks, secluded valleys), enchanting paths, castles, and benches for resting. That’s the perfect hike. You can find tips at wanderinstitut.de, premiumwanderwelten.de, and wanderbares-deutschland.de
5. Don’t pack too much in your backpack
I’m often amazed by what many hikers carry in their backpacks for a day hike. Are you moving house or enjoying a hike? Save yourself the extra weight. Instead of carrying food in your backpack, I recommend stopping at a restaurant along the way.
6. Leave no litter behind
There’s a simple reason why many beautiful trails have no trash cans: The trails are meant to stay beautiful. Many trash bins in the forest become overflowing and are raided by wild animals. So take your rubbish with you and dispose of it at home.
7. Travel there by public transport whenever possible
Hiking is sustainable, and it becomes even more sustainable when you travel there by public transport. The advantage is that your anticipation of the hike starts during the journey. And you can enjoy a well-earned beer or glass of wine after the hike without feeling guilty, because you can relax on the bus or train on the way home.
8. Take your time (plan plenty of breaks)
You’re not running away from anything. Hiking isn’t a competition. Take your time. Take breaks, lie down in a flower meadow, relax on a sensory lounger, and cool your feet in a stream. Stop at a beer garden along the way. Take half an hour of breaks for every hour of hiking. Then you’ll really get the hang of it!
9. Bring enough water
Water should be an absolute must in your backpack. It helps prevent dehydration, and water quenches your thirst better than any other drink.
10. Go when the weather is nice
Yes, you read that correctly. I openly admit that I’m a fair-weather hiker. If anyone enjoys being outdoors in pouring rain, hail, or a snowstorm, they can raise their hand now. I prefer dry, warm weather—that’s when hiking is the most fun. Simply check a weather app before setting out on your hike.
