Packing list tips | Hiking and walking in the mountains

Packing list tips for long hikes and walks! What should you not forget on your hut tour in the Dolomites, for example? Just imagine: your first hiking holiday in the mountains is just around the corner. Exciting! You will be leaving in a few days, but what should you absolutely not forget to take with you? Which items should you absolutely pack before departure, and which items are optional? It is important that the weather can change every ten minutes, so you have to be prepared for anything. These are our packing tips for hiking and walking in the mountains.

Also read: No one told us that 'vanlife' is so addictive

Packing list is crossed off, backbacks are filled, we are looking forward to it!

Table of contents

5 tips for novice hikers

In our blog '5 tips for novice hikers' we already told you what kind of food you can take with you on your multi-day hut tour in the mountains. So read it if you have any questions about it.

In that blog you will also find the first video of the hike in the Dolomites. Have you seen it yet? Then watch episode 2 of our hiking tour in the Dolomites below. Could you handle this trip?

Packing list for hiking in the mountains

Back to the packing list. Below we share tips from our own experience about what you should definitely take with you during your multi-day hut tour in, for example, the Dolomites. Fortunately, most items are small and take up little space.

In between you will also have to pack or unpack your backpack, for example during a break. Therefore, give everything a permanent place in your backpack.

Multifunctional and as light as possible

During the preparations for our trip in the Dolomites we also had these questions. Especially because we had a 'Baptism of Fire Deluxe XL' in the Italian Dolomites on the program. Together with our friends Hanna and Kajan, who have a lot of mountain experience, we went out. They took us for several days, to different mountain huts, at different altitudes. We had to prepare for all types of weather and then also in a backpack that we had to lug up and down ourselves. So it certainly didn't have to be too heavy, and you really need to adjust your packing list accordingly.

When you go hiking in the Dolomites you often come across these kinds of beautiful views

Basic packing list

Passport/ID, credit card, insurance card, (if in possession: NKBV card)
Good mountaineering boots, preferably category B or C
Backpack (minimum 20 liters), preferably with rain cover
Drinking bottle/bag 2L
Mobile + charger
Headlight
Spare batteries (per pair)
Toiletries (small bottles), toothbrush, wet wipes
Sunscreen (high factor)
Medicines if necessary.
Lightweight mouth caps
Hand disinfection
Lightweight cloth to sit on/beach towel (NO THICK TOWEL)
Towel (lightweight)
Raincoat (breathable)
Rain pants (preferably breathable)
Windstopper
Cardigan/sweater (fleece)
Hiking socks
Zip-off pants + shorts
sports t-shirts
Underwear (which you can exercise in)
Pajamas
Swimwear
Pet
Sunglasses
Buff/scarf

Optional packing list

sheet bag
Pillowcase
Slippers
Lightweight cutlery (e.g. Spork)
Tables
Cup
Pocket knife
Anti-mosquito spray, prick route
Book/E-reader
Walking sticks (if your knees hurt quickly)

During a long walk in the mountains we also have to take a picture together

Joint packing list

cooking set
pan set
Lighter
(Muesli bars
Dextro
Coffee/tea
first aid kit
Games (small & lightweight)
Camera + charger
Box for music

Packing list checked, backpack packed, you're ready!

We hope that you are ready and that you are going to have a fantastic experience in the mountains. We always like to help other travelers so if you have any questions or just want to send us a nice picture of your trip, you know where to find us Instagram account.

Tip:: Did you know that you are with Sky Alps flies directly from Rotterdam to the Dolomites?