![]() Hiking further south, I embarked on a scenic and very remote 70 km stretch of beach bliss, which, unbeknownst to me, turned into an impromptu military obstacle course during an epic shooting practice. I followed smaller, local hiking paths towards Porto, veered off on a 300 km detour through the Portuguese countryside, and took two zero days around Lisbon. The next part of my journey required more planning and navigation. From there on, things became a bit more complex. Passing through major Spanish cities like Bilbao and Gijon, I continued my journey until I reached the famous pilgrimage destination of Santiago de Compostela after 29 days of hiking, covering about 900km. I eventually covered around 400 km of the Camino, drawn by the comfort of a small trail family and the simplicity of navigation. From there, I traversed a mix of the Camino del Norte, the E9 trail, and various GR Routes.Ī delightful encounter with another solo hiker, who like me, carried a tent, led us to walk together for about 10 days. My journey started near Bayonne, France and during the first few days, I made my way over the Spanish border to San Sebastián. 25 lbs of oats, 173 protein bars, and two pairs of shoes later, I eventually reached Faro, Portugal.įor the next 77 days, I navigated through an eclectic mix of well-marked hiking trails and my own custom routes. Little did I know that this would lead me on a remarkable 2,061 km journey over the course of 77 days. I’d never done any hiking along the seashore before, so I had no idea what it would be like to live in this environment long-term.Īrmed with only my backpack and an adventurous spirit, I booked a train to French Basque Country and set off without a predetermined destination. Nevertheless, my love of the ocean inspired me to explore the coastal regions, and luckily, Europe boasts numerous hikeable coastal areas. The Real Difference Between Thru-Hiking and Backpacking.So, I decided to give this challenge a try. I was fascinated by the incredible capabilities of our bodies and the fact that people are able to walk across countries. All the long-distance hiking stories inspired me so much. Such an endeavor had been a dream of mine for ages, and I practically devoured every thru-hiking documentary out there. But one thing I had never tackled was a longer thru-hike. Growing up near the mountains, I’ve gone on countless day hikes, sometimes with friends and family, and other times just on my own. But the whole solo travel bug started with my very first trip to the bustling streets of New York City – a journey that sparked a long-lasting love for the absolute freedom of solo exploration. ![]() My adventure continued with some work and travel in the captivating landscapes of New Zealand and Southeast Asia, followed by uncounted camping trips around Europe. When I was 18, I embarked on a journey to a remote South Pacific island to work on a farm. I’ve logged plenty of miles as a solo traveler. My journey began with researching long-distance trails, but among the thousands in Europe, I couldn’t find one that truly aligned with my vision of a long and fulfilling three-month walking journey before my work obligations resumed. The contrast and diversity Europe offers are enormous, and I was determined to uncover as much of it as I could on a thru-hike of my own. ![]() With 47 countries to explore, the possibilities for trekking through breathtaking mountain ranges, vast forests, hidden lakes, and mesmerizing coastal areas are boundless. European thru-hiking might not be as renowned or well-known as it is in the US, but this multicultural continent boasts an astonishing array of stunning landscapes and captivating hikes.
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