Europe just got a new long-distance hiking challenge – and it’s a seriously ambitious one.
The Wolf Trail covers nearly 3,500 kilometres across six countries, taking hikers from Poland’s Baltic coast to Italy’s Trieste waterfront, through Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Slovenia, with 78,400 metres of elevation gain thrown in for good measure.
In other words, it’s not for the faint-hearted, but for those willing to spend four to six months on the trail, it could very well be one of the ultimate ways to see Europe, one step at a time.
What is the Wolf Trail and what will you see?
This is very much a trail for the most committed hikers, as it spans a mind-blowing 3,494km, split across seven continuous stages and crosses no less than six European nations.
The sheer distance isn’t the only consideration either. The reason it’s likely to take up to six months to complete is that the trail features more than 78,400 metres of elevation gain – that’s the equivalent of summiting Mount Everest about nine times over.
As it takes so long, hikers need to pick their timeframe for the trek carefully as, between October and March, Alpine blizzards could be a serious stumbling block.
The epic trail begins with a 428 kilometre journey along Poland’s flat Baltic coast from Hel to Świnoujście.
Next up, as Poland becomes Germany, and then Switzerland, expect a 1,930km walk, taking in historical cities including Rostock, and continuing along craggy paths towards the Austrian border.
You’ll then hike a 392km stretch through the Allgäu Alps and into Innsbruck, Austria’s fifth-largest city.
Finally, hikers will walk along the iconic Via Alpina, through the Italian Dolomites and Triglav National Park in Slovenia. You’ll finish the journey in Trieste, where you can enjoy a refreshing – and celebratory – drink with views of the Adriatic Sea.
How practical is hiking the Wolf Trail?
While such an epic journey might seem near impossible, it’s actually more straightforward than you might think.
In terms of safety, the trail has been seriously vetted by Canadian long-distance backpacking pro Lauren Roerick, who confirmed the trail is safe and that hikers won’t get lost along the way.
The brains behind the trail are actually outdoor gear experts Jack Wolfskin, who have been encouraging walking fans to get involved with ‘thru-hiking’, which effectively means you walk a very long, continuous route and pick up necessities in each town you arrive in.
Europe has notoriously strict camping laws – and pitching tents in Germany in particular can see hikers hit with a steep fine.
To bypass this, and allow people to camp in the wild without fear of punishment, Jack Wolfskin actually connected the near-3,500km route, made up of historic pathways, into one exceptionally long trail.
As a result, the whole journey takes hikers through places to sleep including pre-approved trekking camps, mountain huts to lay heads, and local villages, with slightly more luxurious accommodation.
If you’re looking for a holiday that involves more than just a few hours by the pool, the Wolf Trail could very well be the ultimate European adventure.