Hiking holiday in East Jutland

No! You can come as you are in nature. Some people are happier with all the “right” gear, while others are fine with a worn pair of running shoes and a plastic bag from the local supermarket in hand.

If you are going to hike far - and for many days - you should at least have a comfortable and roomy backpack for your stuff and a good pair of hiking shoes/boots. 

Yes!

It’s always a good idea to train some kilometres before setting off on a big hike over several days. You will use muscles you are not used to, which can make your legs ache and sore. However, the biggest challenge is actually your skin. If you are not used to walking long distances, you may get blisters that can potentially make the hike quite uncomfortable if you are not prepared. We recommend that you do a handful of walks of the distance you will be doing daily on the hiking holiday. And remember that on the hiking holiday, you have a full backpack, so make sure you carry weight when you are out “training”.

And if you are not used to walking, suitable footwear is even more important. Choose hiking boots over hiking shoes as they provide better protection for tired feet against twists and sprains. Carry plenty of socks on your trip, and make sure you change them regularly. And if your feet get wet on the way, make sure you change your socks to avoid blisters.

If you are going out with a group that might be a bit more hardcore than you and used to hiking in the wilderness for days on end, you don’t want to be the one holding the others back. With a little training, suitable footwear and a blister plaster in your bag, you’re on your way.

A combination of these is ideal. 

It’s a good idea to always have a backup in your bag in case you get hungry. Muesli bars, long-life bread, tinned food, fruit and snacks (be aware that chocolate melts in the heat) are good to have on hand when you need to replenish your energy stores.

Some choose to add a daily supermarket visit to the route and visit a local place to eat in the evening. That way, you only have to concentrate on getting the fast carbs in your bag.

It’s also possible to cook outdoors at the area’s nature campsites. In this case, you must bring dried ready meals and cooking equipment.

And remember to fill up your water bottles before you leave! Fluid requirements vary from person to person and depend on the weather, but a basic rule is to carry one litre of fluid for 10 kilometres of walking.

• Toilet paper
• Toiletry bag
• Sun cream
• Plasters and blister plasters
• Tick remover
• Wet wipes and hand sanitiser
• Rubbish bag
• Fluid containers (drinking containers or bottles). You should drink about half a litre of fluid for an hour of walking
• Snacks and fast carbohydrates
• Rain cover for your backpack
• Rain jacket
• Clothing for changing weather conditions
• Extra socks
• A powerbank

A sleeping bag, sleeping mat and toilet paper are a must, and possibly a tent if you aren’t sleeping in a shelter.

If you are cooking at the campsite, you will need a Trangia set or at least a pot or pan. Don’t forget matches or a lighter, cutlery and a plate. One often overlooked thing is washing-up liquid for cleaning after the meal.

Food for the trip can usefully be freeze-dried dishes. Supermarkets now have a good selection, but there are also dishes (field rations) designed for the outdoors that can be bought in outdoor shops.