A hiking holiday stands or falls with the right preparation. These detailed Packing list for the hiking holiday Helps you pack only the important things without carrying unnecessary ballast. The right equipment is the A and O for a successful hiking experience. Because especially when hiking, it depends on every gram that you have to transport in your hiking backpack.
So you can find here Checklists for different scenarios: from family hikes with children and babies to special lists for mountain tours and seasonal hikes.
Table of contents
Packing list of hiking holidays: PDF as download
With our practical Packing list for your hiking holiday in PDF format You are optimally prepared for your next hiking tour. The clear document you can with one click Download, print and tick – so you always keep an overview when packing.
Here is the packing list for the hiking holiday
Money and Finance
- Cash (in small bills)
- EC card
- Credit card
- Emergency money in a separate pocket
- Bag/breast bag
- Passport/ID card for border crossings
- Overnight reservations
Hygiene
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Biodegradable soap/shampoo
- Fast drying towel
- Toilet paper
- Wet wipes
- Disinfectants
- Sunscreen (high sun protection factor)
- Lip care pen with UV protection
- Towels
- Female hygiene products
- Nail traps
- Razors
Clothing
- Functional underwear
- Travelling shorts (long and/or detachable)
- Functional T-shirts
- Sleeve shirts
- Fleece jacket or sweater for warming
- Rain jacket (waterproof and breathable)
- Rainhogs
- Travelling socks (bubble prevention)
- Underwear
- Sleeping clothes
- Cap for sun protection
- Buff/neck cloth
- Gloves (depending on the season)
- Changing clothes for the evening
Food / Drink
- Drinking bottle(s) or bladder (minimum 2 litres)
- Water filter/cleaning tablets
- Muesli bar/energy bar
- Nuts and dried fruit
- Chocolate
- Bread/crisp bread
- Hard cheese and durable sausage
- Instant meals for multi-day tours
- Tea bags/instant coffee
- Salt, pepper, spices in small containers
- Camping cutlery
- Pocket knives
- Garbage bags for waste
Medications / Pharmacy
- Plasters of different sizes
- Bladder patches
- Dressing material
- Disinfectants
- Tweezers and tick forceps
- Pain medication
- Anti-diarrhea agents
- Anti-nausea remedies
- Anti-allergic
- Ointment against insect bites
- Sunscreen and After-Sun Products
- Personal medications
- First aid manual
- Rescue ceiling
Papers and documents
- Identity card/passport
- Health insurance card
- Vaccination certificate (depending on the destination)
- Emergency contacts
- Cash and credit card
- Map/compass
- Travel guides/tour descriptions
- Accommodation reservation confirmations
- Copies of important documents
- Contact details of the next embassy (for international travel)
Backpacks and bags
- Daypack (20-30 liters)
- Trekkingbackpack (40-65 liters) for multi-day tours
- Rain cover for the backpack
- Pack bags for organization
- Chest bag/stomach bag for valuables
- Compression bags for clothing
- Watertight bags for electronics
- Shopping bag for errands in the place
- Laundry bags for dirty linen
Footwear
- Run-in hiking shoes (fitting the terrain)
- Light replacement shoes/sandals for the evening
- Slippers for overnight stays
- Gaiters at muddy terrain
- Replacement shoelaces
- Footwear
- Functional socks (several pairs)
- Bladder patches
- Shoespoon (mini version)
Other
- Walking stock
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- Pocket knife/multitool
- Signal whistle and signal mirror for emergencies
- Binoculars
- Seat support
- Repair kit (sewing gear, tank tape, etc.)
- Compass/GPS equipment
- Small book/card game
- Travel guide/travel book
- Laundry line and clothespins
- Biwaksack for Emergencies
- Sun hat/cap
- Insect repellents
Technical equipment
- Smartphone with offline cards
- Powerbank with charging cable
- Digital camera
- Headlamp/flashlight
- Replacement batteries
- Weatherproof mobile phone cases
- Small solar panel (for longer tours)
- GPS equipment
- Emergency transmitters (for remote tours)
- Headphones (for breaks)
- Small binoculars
- Sunglasses
- Clock with altimeter
- SD cards for photos
Tents/Sleeping
- Light trekking tent
- Sleeping Bag (suitable for the season)
- Cottage sleeping bag (for mountain huts)
- Isomatte/air mattress
- Small pillow/inflatable pillow
- Fuel camping stoves
- Cooking pot
- Drinking cups/Thermo cups
- Flashlight/front lamp
- Ear plugs
- Sleep mask
- Travel towels
- Camping tableware
- Compression bag for sleeping bag
Packing list for hiking holidays with children
A hiking holiday with children provides the whole family with unforgettable nature experiences, but requires a particularly careful planning and packing list.
When travelling with children, it is important to make the tours child-friendly and to plan sufficient breaks. Your packing list should be adjusted accordingly, with additional items for the needs of the little ones.
- Children’s walking backpack (adjusted to age/size)
- Sun hat with neck protection
- Children's sunglasses
- Sunscreen with high sun protection factor
- Sufficient change clothes
- Child rainwear
- Light walking shoes for children
- Favourite stuffed animal/shellcloth
- Small games on the road
- Emergency card for children
- First aid kit with child-friendly medication
- Snacks and Rewards
- Drinking bottle for children
- Diapers/wet wipes (for infants)
- Carriage support/carriage for longer distances
For even more comprehensive preparation of your family trip, we also recommend our Packing list for holidays with children + checklist for babies with which you are guaranteed not to forget anything important.
Packing list for a hiking holiday with baby
A hiking holiday with baby is a special challenge that requires good preparation. However, with the right equipment, it can become a wonderful experience for the whole family.
- High quality baby carrier/crax
- Sun and rain protection for the stretcher
- Sufficient diapers and wet wipes
- Winding base on the road
- Garbage bags for used diapers
- Changing clothes for the baby
- Sunscreen specifically for babies
- Sun hat with neck protection
- Lightweight ceiling
- Vials/broad earphones
- Baby food
- Pacifier/bite ring
- Small toys
- Thermos for warm water
- Medications specifically for babies
Discover more valuable tips in our detailed Packing list for holidays with children + checklist for babieswhich covers all aspects of a successful journey with the youngest.
Packing list for a walking holiday with a dog
Your four-legged friend is the perfect hiking companion, but also needs a thoughtful packing list for the hiking holiday together.
Before you start hiking with your dog, find out whether dogs are allowed in your hiking area and whether linen is mandatory. Your dog should have a good basic condition and be accustomed to longer walks.
- Line and collar
- Dog bowl/foldable water dish
- Sufficient water
- Dog Food and Snacks
- Poultry bags
- Dog towels
- Paw balm for sensitive paws
- Dog jacket in cool weather
- Tick forceps
- First aid kit for dogs
- Dog toys for breaks
- Sleeping area/dog blanket
- Travel document
- Muzzle (if required in certain areas)
- Light Dog Bag (for trained dogs)
If you want to hike with your four-legged friend in Norway, take a look at our Packing List Norway – You should definitely take these things with you! which contains special tips for this region.
Packing list for hiking holidays in the mountains
Hiking in the mountains places special demands on your equipment. Weather conditions can change quickly, and the challenging terrain requires special preparation.
For mountain tours, a particularly careful selection of equipment is necessary. Temperature fluctuations can be extreme, which is why the onion principle is essential in clothing.
- Ankle-high walking boots with a grip profile sole
- Walking stock
- Weatherproof jackets and trousers
- Warm layers for heating (fleece/down jacket)
- Hat and gloves (also in summer)
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Sunscreen with high sun protection factor
- Lip balm with UV protection
- Sufficient drinking water (minimum 2 litres per person)
- High energy snacks
- Detailed walking map
- Compass or GPS device
- First aid kit with rescue blanket
- Emergency whistle
- Mobile phone with loaded offline cards
- Headlamp with spare batteries
Pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago? Our special Jakobsweg Packing List 2025 | The Best Tips for Women offers you all the important information for this special hiking experience.
Packing list for a hiking holiday in the summer
Summer walks offer wonderful nature experiences, but also place special demands on your equipment. Sufficient liquid is crucial – plan at least 2-3 liters per person per day, more at high temperatures or strenuous tours.
- Light, fast-drying trousers (possibly zip-off)
- Functional T-shirts
- Light (and comfortable) walking shoes or walking sandals
- Sun hat/cap with neck protection
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Sunscreen (LSF 30+) and After-Sun lotion
- Sufficient water supply (minimum 2-3 liters/person)
- Electrolyte powder to compensate for sweat loss
- Light rain jacket (summer thunderstorm!)
- Insect repellents
- Cooling gels when overheated
- Bathing clothes for lakes/streams
- Light towel
- Headgear with neck protection
- Welding tape/buff
Packing list for a hiking holiday in winter
Winter hikes offer unique landscape experiences but require special equipment for safety and comfort in cold temperatures and possibly snow. The onion principle is especially important in winter: several thin layers keep warmer than a thick one and allow adjustments depending on the activity level.
- Warm, waterproof walking shoes
- Thermo underwear
- Fleece pullover/wool pullover
- Warm, waterproof winter jacket
- Snow trousers/waterproof walking shorts
- Warm hat that covers the ears
- Waterproof gloves
- Buff/scarf to protect the neck and face
- Warm travelling socks (possibly several pairs)
- Gaiters for protection against snow
- Grödel/Spikes for better support
- Thermos bottle for warm drinks
- Heat pads for hands and feet
- Snow Shoes in Deeper Snow
- Ski poles or telescopic hiking poles
- Avalanche equipment in alpine terrain
- Sunglasses (blend protection by snow)
- Sunscreen (also important in winter)
- Headlamp (shorter days!)
- Rescue ceiling
- Thermal cups
Packing list for a hiking holiday in autumn
Autumn is a wonderful season for hiking – with colorful forests and pleasant temperatures. In the morning and evening it can already be sensitively cool, while at noon summer temperatures can prevail (attract onion principle). A good rain jacket is indispensable as autumn rains are common.
When choosing your hiking shoes, make sure they provide a good hold, as wet foliage can be slippery.
- Waterproof walking shoes with good profile sole
- Rain jackets and trousers
- Fleece jacket for warming
- Functional shirts for
- Light gloves and hats
- Gaiters on muddy paths
- Walking sticks for better support
- Thermos bottle for warm drinks
- Headlamp (early dark)
- Map and compass (especially important for fog)
- Interchangeable clothing (if drenched)
- Rescue ceiling
- Watertight packing bags for electronics
- Warm socks
- Windproof jacket
Packing list for a hiking holiday in spring
Spring walks inspire with awakening nature and longer days. However, the weather can be very changeable, from snow residues at higher altitudes to the first warm sunny days. For this reason, particularly flexible equipment is required in spring, which is prepared for all weather conditions.
- Waterproof walking shoes
- Gaiters (for remaining snow)
- Clothing according to the onion principle
- Light rain jacket and trousers
- Sun and rain protection
- Walking sticks (helpful for muddy paths)
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Sufficient water
- First aid kit
- Insect repellent (first insect in spring)
- Map with alternative routes (if routes are blocked)
- Functional underwear
- Light gloves and hats
- Changing clothes
- Travelling socks
You can also use spring wonderfully for a bike trip. Discover our Camping Packing List: Checklist for Tent, Caravan & Bicycle Travel for further inspiration.
Frequently asked questions about the packing list for the hiking holiday
How Do I Pack My Hiking Backpack Properly?
Pack your hiking backpack so that heavy objects are close to your back and at medium height while light things come out and down. Keep important things like rain jacket, snacks, and first aid kit at hand in the outside pockets or at the top of your backpack to reach them quickly.
How Much Water Should I Take With Me When Hiking?
In normal conditions you should plan at least 2 liters of water per person for a day tour, in hot weather or strenuous tours rather 3-4 liters. Inform yourself in advance about water sources along your route and take a water filter or cleaning tablets for longer tours in remote areas.
Which clothes are best for unstable weather?
For unstable weather, a combination of fast-drying functional clothing, a windproof fleece jacket as a middle layer and a waterproof, breathable rain jacket is ideal. This onion principle allows you to react flexibly to temperature and weather changes by adding or removing layers.
How can I save weight in my hiking backpack?
To save weight, choose multifunctional clothing, lightweight materials and pack only the essentials. Do without too many changing clothes, instead use fast drying functional clothes that you can wash in the evening. Take only the most important thing with electronics and choose lightweight, compact variants of your equipment.
