Hiking trails
Hiking is one of the easiest ways to practise sports in the open air. You don't need much equipment to discover rivers and lakes, coasts and beaches, hills and mountains, forests and marshes. There is no question why hiking is so popular – when do you start?
Highlights
- Highlights
Eifelsteig Partner hike - the Monastery route
Eifelsteig Partner hike - the Daffodil Route
Climbing the Mittag
Hiking in the Wurm Valley - from Herzogenrath to Aachen
From the Mittag station in Immenstadt to the Steineberg
Experience the North of the Black Forest: Forbach - Hornisgrinde - Schönmünzach
Cascade Canyon Trail
Miners Trail Hochoetz with Wetterkreuz peak
- Highlights
All regions
- Albania 100 hikes
- Andorra 38 hikes
- Argentina 301 hikes
- Armenia 157 hikes
- Australia 1,477 hikes
- Austria 31,445 hikes
- Azerbaijan 54 hikes
- Belgium 1,769 hikes
- Bolivia 33 hikes
- Bosnia and Herzegovina 275 hikes
- Brazil 219 hikes
- Bulgaria 294 hikes
- Cambodia 6 hikes
- Canada 334 hikes
- Cape Verde 70 hikes
- Chile 387 hikes
- China 2,559 hikes
- Colombia 115 hikes
- Costa Rica 39 hikes
- Croatia 853 hikes
- Cuba 11 hikes
- Cyprus 144 hikes
- Czech Republic 1,906 hikes
- Denmark 395 hikes
- Dominican Republic 10 hikes
- Ecuador 53 hikes
- Egypt 5 hikes
- Estonia 56 hikes
- Ethiopia 8 hikes
- Finland 374 hikes
- France 5,230 hikes
- French Guiana 16 hikes
- French Polynesia 15 hikes
- Georgia 324 hikes
- Germany 85,673 hikes
- Gibraltar 4 hikes
- Greece 659 hikes
- Grenada 7 hikes
- Guam 24 hikes
- Guatemala 6 hikes
- Guernsey 15 hikes
- Hungary 1,353 hikes
- Iceland 232 hikes
- India 120 hikes
- Indonesia 89 hikes
- Ireland 3,039 hikes
- Israel 178 hikes
- Italy 15,779 hikes
- Japan 304 hikes
- Jersey 23 hikes
- Kenya 11 hikes
- Kosovo 18 hikes
- Lao People's Democratic Republic 16 hikes
- Latvia 162 hikes
- Lesotho 18 hikes
- Liechtenstein 124 hikes
- Lithuania 51 hikes
- Luxembourg 471 hikes
- Madagascar 28 hikes
- Malawi 25 hikes
- Malaysia 101 hikes
- Malta 115 hikes
- Mauritius 27 hikes
- Mexico 126 hikes
- Monaco 8 hikes
- Montenegro 235 hikes
- Nepal 390 hikes
- Netherlands 1,104 hikes
- New Zealand 889 hikes
- Nicaragua 10 hikes
- Norway 1,385 hikes
- Oman 21 hikes
- Panama 5 hikes
- Papua New Guinea 4 hikes
- Paraguay 7 hikes
- Peru 109 hikes
- Philippines 17 hikes
- Poland 468 hikes
- Portugal 2,543 hikes
- Reunion Island 237 hikes
- Romania 367 hikes
- Rwanda 5 hikes
- San Marino 5 hikes
- Seychelles 13 hikes
- Singapore 29 hikes
- Slovakia 588 hikes
- Slovenia 1,124 hikes
- South Africa 335 hikes
- Spain 5,083 hikes
- Sri Lanka 36 hikes
- Sweden 819 hikes
- Switzerland 13,822 hikes
- Tanzania 32 hikes
- Thailand 44 hikes
- Tunisia 21 hikes
- Turkey 304 hikes
- Uganda 20 hikes
- Ukraine 674 hikes
- United Arab Emirates 43 hikes
- United Kingdom 5,173 hikes
- United States of America 4,335 hikes
- Venezuela 30 hikes
- Vietnam 22 hikes
Who can go for a hike?
The answer to this question is quite simple: everyone. Hardly any other sport is as diverse as hiking. While beginners can stroll comfortably along coastal paths or through shady forests, more experienced hikers enjoy the ups and downs of low mountain ranges. Professionals climb alpine trails and reach summits on their tours.
Hiking trails on Outdooractive
On this page you will find information on classic hiking trails – a sporting activity with unbroken popularity. With little previous knowledge and equipment, almost anyone can set off for a hike.
The following overview offers assistance for the complex distinction between mountain hikes and classic hikes:
Photo: CC0, pixabay.com
Hiking trail
Hikes take place mainly on forest roads and wide footpaths. Common places to go are huts, guesthouses or destinations. Tours in alpine terrain and above the tree line only occur in the form of well-paved panoramic trails.
On hikes there are no passages with an increased risk of falling. Serious character due to alpine dangers is not given due to its short length and/or proximity to accommodation and settlement areas. A certain basic condition is advisable for hiking. Sure-footedness and a head for heights, however, are not required.
Mountain hike
Mountain hikes mainly run on alpine paths above the tree line. They can include short climbing sections or lead through trackless terrain. The aim of a mountain hike is usually to reach a summit.
Some, even longer passages with an increased risk of falling require sure-footedness and a head for heights. The tours have a serious character due to their length, difference in altitude, exposure and alpine dangers (e.g. sudden changes in the weather).
Physical requirements for hiking
It is important not to overestimate oneself at the beginning. If you are hiking for the first time, you should not start with a day trip, but give your body enough time to get used to exercise. Anything that is fun is allowed when hiking – and of course you can also be challenged after the acclimatisation phase.
For moderate hiking in the plain, a healthy person only needs a certain basic condition. However, if the tours become longer, shift into alpine terrain or go through extreme weather conditions, the body is more strained. The most important requirements are sure-footedness, a head for heights and a good stamina.
Especially in alpine terrain, it is essential to inform yourself in advance about the weather conditions on the course. Thunderstorms can quickly become a disaster for hikers if they misjudge the situation.
Hikes with a guide are not only more fun, it is also much safer not to be alone. For your own safety, anyone who walks alone should at least let someone know where they are heading and how long they are likely to be away.
Photo: Outdooractive Editors
Equipment for hiking
Once you have chosen your route, you need to think about the equipment. Otherwise the fun will be clouded all too quickly due to wrong clothing, unsuitable shoes or missing provisions.
The following equipment is recommended for hiking:
Photo: Outdooractive Editors
Clothing
- well-fitting, comfortable and sturdy shoes (the more difficult the terrain, the more stable the footwear)
- outerwear made of sweat-transporting and fast-drying material
- trousers made of hard-wearing and elastic synthetic fiber material
- weatherproof, hooded jacket made of wind- and water-repellent material
- light spare clothes for changing
- socks with reinforced footbed of mixed fabric or terry cloth
- for colder temperatures: functional underwear, fleece jacket or sweater, hat and gloves
Accessories
- hiking backpack with padded carrying system, about 20 to 30 liters for a normal tour
- topographic maps and guides
- protection against UV radiation (headgear, sunglasses and sun screen)
- first aid kit, blanket and mobile phone (for possible emergency call)
- drinking bottle, provisions
- walking sticks (increase the surefootedness when walking uphill on slippery ground; the joints are spared when walking downhill.)
Provisions when hiking
Depending on the route length and character, hiking consumes a great deal of energy. For this reason, the physical reserves must always be full.
An extensive breakfast is essential. The first meal of the day should be plentiful, but not too heavy. It is difficult to move with a full stomach.
Photo: CC0, pixabay.com
During the hike itself it is advisable to have small and regular snacks. Carbohydrate-rich foods are best for this because it makes the energy quickly available. Take for example sandwiches made of wholemeal bread, cereal bars, energy gels, dried or fresh fruit – especially bananas – as well as sports drinks and enough water.