The hikes I have done in the last years usually comprise a day, as in I would start at around 9 am and finish around 4 pm to 6 pm, early enough to return before darkness and still have time for dinner. Depending on the area, my schedule is influenced by the public transport available (I don’t drive).

I pack a light meal for the hike, for example some fruit, a sweet snack or bar, a sandwich and a 1 liter bottle of water. Most hikes I have done at some point pass or are close to small restaurants of cafés, where I then have lunch in addition to my lunch package.

I sometimes bring an offline map on Google Maps with me or print out a map from a website. I own a compass, but I have yet to learn how to use it correctly with a map. I also read up on the distance of the trail, sights to see (like viewpoints, castles etc.), the altitude and the ascent and if it is marked well. So on days where it takes me longer I still have an estimate where I am going and how much time I need to return.

There is no need to bring heavy gear or a lot of food/drink and a huge backpack and accommodation is either my apartment or the place I am staying at currently. So I can look forward to a nice shower, a comfy bed, I have enough time to rest my body or treat any injuries/blisters, I mostly have access to local shops, and if I am in need of help, even during my hike, someone is usually around or nearby. Even if the weather turns, I am able to dry my gear at the accommodation.

When you are hiking a long distance for several days, things might be a bit different. You might start earlier to reach some specific mileage and get in later in the day. If you have accommodation in a hotel or B&B booked you sometimes have to be considerate of fixed dinner times. It might be possible that you don’t have a fridge in your room to keep snacks and drinks fresh in summer or the campsite is lacking a heated or drying room to dry wet clothes. You have to make sure the food available is compatible with possible allergies or eating habits. If you are self-catering, you need to shop for food in the evening or bring everything with you. You have to make sure that everything you need to make it to and prepare for the next day is at hand or can be retrieved.

There are agencies specialized on this type of hiking and do all the arrangements for you, so you benefit from the same living standard you would be used to on day hikes.

Hiking and (wild) camping on a long distance trail requires a bit more organizing. You have to carry all of your gear yourself, including all clothing, a tent or tarp, sleeping bag and sleeping mat, food, cooking equipment, medication, toiletries, maybe technical equipment, a first aid kit etc. This can’t be compared to an easy day hike, where you just carry the bare necessities. The weight of your backpack is added to your body weight and slows you down.

Rest is reduced to the time you spend sleeping or to breaks during your hike, with another long day (or more) following. If you have never done a hike like this, keep in mind that your energy levels might vary. You have to pay more attention to your body than usual to not overwhelm it. There is no guarantee for a hot shower in the evening or a warm meal. You and your gear might be soaked if it rains and you still have to be able to pitch your tent after a long day in the rain and/or darkness and pack it up in the morning. You also have to check beforehand that your gear is up to the task. It’s possible that you can’t update or change it during your hike, so you will need to be able to repair it or get through the day without it if it fails to work. This is especially hard when your sleeping system doesn’t work out for you.

You also need a different mindset. You can take it day by day, but some days might be more difficult than others, in terms of weather, the quality of the walking ground, ascend or descend, an injury or simply mosquito bites bothering you, or you get in a row with the person you are hiking with. Rewarding yourself with little things like snacks, a tea break with your cooking stove or a listen to your favourite music become more important than reaching that beautiful waterfall. When planning a long distance hike, make sure you don’t overestimate your abilities if you have never been in the area you are hiking. It’s always good to have a plan B, like checking into a hotel if available, making use of baggage transfer service or walking shorter stretches and getting more rest. When staying on available campsites, check if you have to book in advance, but also consider the distance between those campsites. It’s easy to focus on the beautiful landscape you are expecting to see and forget to take measures to actually be able to enjoy them.