Hiking packing list for walking holidays and hut-to-hut treks
Walking boots, rain jacket, head torch and a hut sleeping bag liner: the list for days in the mountains, whether you walk from one base or from hut to hut.
Hiking holiday
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Combine it with a second list
A trip is often more than one list. Add a second one: matching sections are folded together and nothing appears twice.
Day walks from a base or a hut-to-hut trek
If you walk from one place to stay, you pack twice: the suitcase for the week and the daypack for each walk. The daypack needs a rain jacket, a warm layer, water, lunch, a first aid kit and a map. Everything else stays at the accommodation, and dry clothes are waiting in your room in the evening.
On a hut-to-hut trek you carry everything you bring, every day. Then every item counts. Take clothes that dry quickly and go with each other, rather than a separate set for each day. A quick-dry top can be washed out at the hut in the evening. Dry bags keep things dry and sorted, and what you need during the day goes on top. Pack the rucksack completely once before you leave and walk a loop with it, and you will notice what is too much.
At the hut: what applies there
Many alpine club huts require a hut sleeping bag liner, because blankets and pillows are not washed after every guest. Some huts sell or lend one, but do not count on it. Check with the hut what applies there, ideally when you book.
Walking boots usually stay in the boot room, and indoors you wear slippers. In the dormitory many people sleep in one room, so earplugs and a head torch help at night and early in the morning. At many huts you pay in cash, because there is no card reader or no reliable signal. Bring enough cash, and your alpine club membership card if you are a member. As a rule, you carry your rubbish back down to the valley.
Mountain weather
In the mountains the weather can turn within a few hours. In the morning it is warm in the valley, on the ridge a cold wind blows, and in the afternoon thunderstorms build. So pack in layers: a quick-dry top, a fleece, an insulated jacket, and over them a rain jacket and waterproof trousers. A beanie and gloves belong in the rucksack in summer too.
Check the mountain weather forecast before every walk and plan to be back down or at the hut before any storms arrive. Even on cool days the sun is strong at altitude, so sunscreen, sunglasses and a sun hat always come along.
What people often forget on a hiking holiday
On a hiking holiday, what often goes missing are the small things you only notice on the trail: blister plasters for the second day, spare batteries for the head torch, toilet roll for a stop away from the hut. Download the map in your hiking app for offline use beforehand, as many valleys have no signal, and bring a paper map in case the battery runs out.
Break in new walking boots before the holiday. Keep the hut booking and your emergency contacts within reach, and after the trip add to your list whatever was missing. Saved as your own template, it is ready the next time.
Frequently asked questions
How heavy should a hiking backpack be?
There is no fixed limit. How much you can carry comfortably depends on your fitness, the length of each stage and the terrain. Lighter always makes long days and steep descents easier. Water, food and clothing tend to weigh the most, so put individual items on a kitchen scale to see where cutting back pays off. In Packlist you can keep a separate, leaner template just for hut-to-hut tours.
How do I pack a hiking backpack properly?
Keep heavy items close to your back at roughly shoulder height, so the pack does not pull you backwards. Light, soft things like your sleeping liner go at the bottom, while your rain jacket, map and snacks sit on top or in the outer pockets. Adjust the hip belt first, since it should take most of the weight, then the shoulder straps. Avoid anything dangling outside where it can snag.
What kind of shoes do I need for hiking?
On well-kept paths, light hiking shoes with a grippy sole are often enough. On rocky, steep ground or with a heavy pack, higher boots with a stiffer sole give your ankles more support. Try shoes on in the afternoon, when your feet are slightly swollen, and wear the socks you plan to hike in. Your toes should not hit the front when walking downhill.
Do I need to book a mountain hut in advance?
In high season and at weekends many huts fill up early, so booking ahead is usually wise. How to reserve, whether a deposit is due and how late you can cancel is decided by each hut. Check directly with the hut or the alpine club that runs it. If your plans change, cancel in good time so the bed can go to someone else and nobody waits for you.
How it works
“Start with this list” opens the template – once you have signed in with your email address.
Add more templates, such as “Before leaving” for the water, the heating and the plants. Nothing appears twice.
Create the list, tick it off, archive it after the trip – and pack it again next time.
Good to know
- Can I change the list?
- Yes. Your list is yours: add, rename, move and delete items. The template stays as it is.
- Does it cost anything?
- No. No subscription, no ads. All you need is an email address, no password.