This post is to help hikers who want to explore the wild for weeks or months, but don’t want to stick to the official long-distance trails. If you want to carve your own route away from the hiking herd, trail angels and all-too-helpful apps such as Guthook, then this will be your guide to show you how (I hope.) The aim is to create safe routes wherever you are in the world, so you can go and explore till your socks turn to rags!
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There are a multitude of hiking trails to be found all over the world, ranging from a few miles to thousands of miles, sometimes spanning the length of entire countries. These are wonderful trails to hike, to meet kindred spirits in your fellow adventurers and there’s usually a good amount of information to be found on the route, camping spots, water, resupply points and any notable trail conditions. Apps like Guthook have made it really easy to start thru-hikes with little prep, as they include all of this information. All you need to do is follow the red line on the screen of your phone. The one downside of sticking to these well-known trails is that you lose that raw sense of adventure.
So what if you decide to do it a little bit different? Carve your own route where a long-distance trail doesn’t yet exist? How do you go about finding suitable trails, connecting them and making sure you’re able to find water, buy food and generally just don’t die along the way?
That’s what this post is about.
It’s my personal guide on how I plan my long-distance routes. I got thrown into the world of hiking quite abruptly, and almost immediately started doing long-distance trails. The first few hikes I did were not official routes – I didn’t do those until later. My first route was a circumnavigation of Tasmania, and not long after I spent months walking across Iceland. I have a route ready to walk the length of Norway and want to do a similar hike in Japan. I planned these hikes myself and will share with you how. My approach isn’t complicated. I use simple (free) tools such as online maps and plan thoroughly. As a solo hiker my main objective is to seek out the unknown but to stay safe at the same time!
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• Finding your objective
• Know what you’re getting yourself into
• General knowledge
• Route finding
• Putting together a document
• Water availability
• Resupply / arranging food drops
• Charging electronics
• Troublesome river crossings / mountain passes
• Camping restriction / mountain huts
• Permits for national parks
• Trail opening times / seasonal closures
• Bounce box
• Time of year
• Direction
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Finding your objective
In essence, you’re trying to create a long distance route where one does not yet exist. The question is, what do you want to do? Walk the length of a country, circumnavigate an island or follow a river from source to sea? There are many options, and walking between two extremes is a good one. I think that the best place to start is by finding an objective (and then to try and stick with it.)
A purpose for your trail will keep you focused and gives you something tangible to achieve. It gives you a reason to choose certain routes over others, keep a clear goal. If you ask yourself what your plan is and you can answer with a clear idea, ‘I’m walking from the most southern point of this island to the most northern point, following the main mountain ranges,’ then you’ve already done half the work. It’s much easier than saying, ‘I like this country and I want to walk around their national parks for three months.’
Know what you’re getting yourself into
Let’s not leave this to last. You need to know what you’re getting yourself into when you attempt a hike like this, especially if you turn this into a multiple month long hike. Know that you will be alone, and no-one you meet will truly understand what you’re trying to achieve. You will have no moral support and no-one you meet will grasp the magnitude of your feelings, your exhaustion, your loneliness. This isn’t a bad thing – I think it’s quite beautiful. But it’s very different from hiking an official trail, where you make friends and you meet people who understand what you’re going through, because they’re on the same journey.
At the same time, doing this alone means that you are entirely in charge of your experience. A thru-hike like the Pacific Crest Trail often turns into a bit of a race. When you’re alone you have more freedom to explore the things you’re interested in. Hike the way you want to hike. And in a world where true adventures are difficult to find, hiking your own route will probably come closer than anything else.
General knowledge
First things first. Before you undertake this exhaustive planning stage, I would start by gaining some general knowledge on the country or areas you’re planning your hike in. You might discover something early on that renders your entire plan impossible! You could do an extensive internet search, purchase a Cicerone book on hiking trails or a Lonely Planet which will give you all sorts of local information. These books will include a lot of knowledge that isn’t quite relevant, but I still find it surprisingly valuable background information to have.
Some vital topics would be making payments, local customs, weather, local transport, hitchhiking, animals, any notes on hiking trails, National Park closures and wild camping regulations.
It’s good to figure out these basics early on. The weather is a key factor. It will help you determine the weather window (before extreme heat or snowfall stops you.) You may be planning a 6 month trip in a climate that really only allows you to comfortably hike for 4 months, before winter gear is needed (cough Iceland cough.) Or perhaps you plan to walk across the Australian Alps but you discover that the lack of water would require you to cache water ahead of time. You’ll have to drop off water at certain points, or find someone or an organisation to do this for you. If you can’t figure out these logistics, you may have to change your hiking plans altogether.
Route finding
Once you’ve established that your general plan is viable, you can start plotting your route. To simplify things, lets approach this in a few stages. First, find the highlights, then recall your objective, and finalise the route by connecting the dots.
Marking highlights:
I begin my planning by simply searching for highlights that my route could incorporate. These would be shorter trails, notable national parks or mountain peaks and passes. I will look into a number of things:
- Pictures: I’ll simply begin by googling for hiking trails in my destination area and collect the pretty images. Instagram is also a great tool for this as you can search by location. It gives me a good idea of what the different areas look like and introduces me to a myriad of trails, short and long, and national parks.
- Hiking trails: I’ll search the Internet for existing trails I could incorporate into my route – anything from a few days to a few weeks that stands out. I’ll search for the national parks that look beautiful and find a linear route through, if it exists. Most countries have a selection of famous trails and less popular routes and I note down the ones that look interesting. There’s also a Wikipedia long distance footpaths page that lists numerous long distance trails. It’s a great reference.
- Collect GPX / KML tracks: I’ll check sites such as Wandermap and Traildino for the GPX files of the collected routes, and also browse through the uploads in case a user has added a personal route that may suit me.
- Maps / brochures: If an area has caught my eye but I’m struggling to find much information on it, I’ll dig a little deeper. Some national parks don’t publicise much detail online, and you can only find maps by going to the local visitor centre and picking up a brochure. So I’ll search for the smallest clues, downloading blurry photographs of paper maps or trailhead displays people have added to obscure blogs and trip reports.
- Blogs: Blogs and articles from other hikers are invaluable for ideas, inspiration, and notes on trail conditions. Sometimes I find posts by people doing an alternative route or off-trail hike that inspire me to do something different. It’s not always easy to find out if you can go off-trail in certain locations, and getting first-hand information is key. This will get me excited about adding certain trails, and tell me to avoid areas that are too technical for my gear and ability.
Your objective:
With the research above, I have some beautiful areas to walk through, and shorter trails to include in my route. I will first add all of these waypoints and tracks to a map. I personally keep things simple and use Maps.me on my phone, although there are better apps to use like Gaia (which I actually own but I still haven’t quite figured out how to use it.)
Maps.me is easy. You download the maps covering the right area (which happens automatically when you zoom into the areas you’re looking at) so you can use them offline, and it shows hiking trails as dashed lines. Once I’ve bookmarked my points of interest, I upload the KML files I’ve collected. If I can only find GPX files, I’ll use a free online converter to change them to KML.
Following my objective, the main route will probably take shape at this point. I’ll delete any destinations or trails that are way off course, or adjust my objective if needed.
Connecting the dots:
Now I’ll have a map filled with bookmarks and trails that, at times, organically link up and at other times expose huge gaps. So the mission starts to connect the dots.
This is where physical hiking maps come in handy. Many countries have excellent hiking maps. If you purchase the ones at the right scale you can lay them out on your floor and draw your route, finding new trails to create more links. Unfortunately, this is a huge investment – the longer your hike is, the more maps you need. I have to admit, I’ve never spent a dime on maps because of the sheer cost, but it would certainly simplify things. Instead, I’ll stick to Maps.me and I’ll go on a search for an online hiking map. Some countries have amazing online resources. Norway for example has an interactive map at Ut.no, which highlights hiking trails and mountain huts. I’ll use these tools to find connections.
I’ll also have a look at Google Maps at this point. While Google doesn’t include hiking trails, I use the satellite imagery to check what certain areas look like. It might make me choose one connector route over another. It will also show me certain mountains areas and rivers clearer – and can be especially useful if I’m trying to figure out if I could navigate an off trail route.
With the steps above I’ve begun to close the gaps. I’ll try to select hiking trails or smaller roads, but sometimes I have no choice but to add a busier road. Especially when I begin to research the logistics of adding resupply stops to my route.
Putting together a document
Now I start to put the information in an Excel sheet, listing the route with any notable comments. Key is to add an anticipated day count, even though it’ll probably change once you’re on trail. You need to know how many days you have between resupplies so you can ensure you’re able to carry the food and water you need.
Depending on the landscape, I usually assume I walk 25 to 30 kilometres a day. I often do more, but this allows a buffer for bad weather and getting stuck in a storm for a day. In most conditions I’d rather carry a little extra food, and walk faster than expected.
Next I’ll start my research on vital issues such as water, resupply and camping restrictions. I might realise the route has some inherent issues, and needs adjusting. I’ll get into those topics below, but first some examples of schedules (click to enlarge):
Water availability
Access to food and water is always my main concern. I get water from a variety of sources: clear streams, rivers and taps. While some countries seem to be swimming in water, unexpectedly scarcity still happens.
You might be hiking through a mountain range that experiences abundant rainfall, but if you’re following the spine, you might have to descend to a lower elevation to find streams. Some areas could be more arid than others, and some times of the year are dry, with streams no longer running. Make sure to read official trail guides for any comments and double check what time of year other hikers did their hikes if you follow their trip reports.
Water quality is also good to keep in mind. Taking water from a river close to a large town or expansive agriculture isn’t always a good idea, and knocking on someone’s door might be your only choice. You might also stumble upon a river that’s unexpectedly brackish instead of freshwater. In Iceland, despite finding small streams everywhere, I was warned for silty water and dried up streams along the Askja trail.
I make sure to add a clear note on my schedule when a poor water stretch is coming up, so I know exactly when I hit the last water source. Then I have a few options:
- If it’s no more than a few days, I’ll simply carry the water. I ensure I have a sufficient amount of (soft) water bottles, and I’ll ration along the way. It’s good to know how much water you drink during the day, and how much you need for cooking (and if you can cook without.) The weather conditions and temperature will hugely influence this. I know I can get away with drinking very little water, but this isn’t something you can gamble with.
- If the lack of water is too much, an option would be to cache water along the trail. Some hikers do this in desert areas. If you have access to a vehicle, you (or someone you know) can hide bottles along the route before you start (saving the exact coordinates on your phone so you can find your hidden stash again.) You’ll have to make sure to carry the plastic bottles out though – or pick them up when you’ve finished.
- Worst case? Change your route. Dehydration is extremely dangerous, and fatal. (Do carry a Personal Locator Beacon / InReach / SPOT in case of emergency!)
Resupply / arranging food drops
Access to food is absolutely going to influence your route. Carrying more than 5 or 7 days of food is awful, so I make sure to hit a town with a grocery store within that timeframe. I arranged my entire Iceland hike around my resupply. The inland areas are uninhabited and shops only exist dotted along the ring road, which skirts around the island. My route ended up a meandering wiggle in and out of the Highlands which allowed me to explore remote areas and pick up food along the ring road. (If you’re curious, you can check out my route here.)
If there are simply no towns or shops accessible without deviating from your route too much, you have some alternative options:
- Hitchhike / take public transport: Get yourself to a road where you can either hitch or take a bus into a town to resupply.
- Mail a food box ahead: Instead of aiming for a town, you might pass (or be able to hitchhike to) a tourist information centre or hotel. If you contact them ahead of time and explain your plans, you can arrange to post a food package ahead of time.
- Food drop: In some extreme situations, you may be able to arrange a food drop. In Tasmania I spent two weeks on remote trails in the Southwest national park. There was a small airstrip in the middle which transported hikers, and also offered to drop off food packages. I arranged this months before in Hobart. In Iceland, some bus services will transport food packages. I looked into this too late and couldn’t use this service as I wasn’t anywhere near Reykjavik anymore, which is where I needed to be to physically give my package to the bus company. I ended up walking a stretch of 15 days without stores. It was awful. My pack was incredibly heavy but there was no other option. I could’ve taken a bus in and out at one point but the cost was too high. So I choose to carry the weight (and be hungry.)
- Carry extra food: Just like me, you might be able to fit a few weeks worth of food in your pack. It isn’t fun, and your progress will probably be a little slow. But it’s always an option. If you choose to do this, make sure you’re able to temporarily carry some extra capacity inside (or on top of) your backpack.
Charging electronics
This might not shape your route, but it is good to keep in the back of your mind. I charge my phone and power bank when I stop to resupply and rest, and usually don’t have too many issues doing this. Sometimes I’ll stay in a cheap hotel or hostel, or pay for a campground where I can charge my things. At other times I’ll plonk down in a coffee shop for half a day, buy some drinks and food and charge everything I own. Visitor centres in the middle of nowhere might even have outlets and sometimes remote campsites run on solar power and can charge your phone (at a fee.) However, if you’re planning long stretches with no amenities, you might want to gauge when this is, so you can ration power or bring gear that is tailored to last as long as required.
Troublesome river crossings / mountain passes
As you do your research on your route, you should spend some extra time looking into lesser known peaks, mountain passes or rivers you intend to cross.
Most countries give their trails a colour code to represent its difficulty grade, but it’s not always clear. I’ve wanted to add peaks in Norway that proved popular with mountain climbers, which made me realise it’s probably not a safe route for a backpacker. Try and find as many trip reports as you can – I’ve found myself at the top of a ridgeline in Iceland, thoroughly terrified and having to make the decision to return as the descend on the other side did not seem safe at all. It was a route I’d only found on a tourist map but it wasn’t something anyone had appeared to follow in a long time – I was essentially following electrical poles across a mountain pass. And I failed – it was a long way back.
So make sure you have alternatives if you’re aware a certain area can cause issues because accounts are few and unclear. Keep in mind that everyone has different comfort and experience levels which could make it difficult to gauge if you can complete a trail when someone else struggled. One option is to include a visit to a local tourist information centre, although their guidance will often be on the safe side. I like to make sure I have an escape route. If I can’t get across a certain point, I’ll follow another trail around. Or I’m mentally prepared to simply turn around, and make a much larger detour. I find that as long as I’m prepared to turn around, I don’t do anything stupid that puts me in danger.
Rivers can be extremely dangerous and should also be researched thoroughly. With these, keep in mind the time of year, time of day, possible swelling from rain and snow melt. If accounts tell of high rivers, I research the conditions under which they were high so I can be prepared or time my arrival accordingly. Saying that, I don’t usually cross rivers unless they are part of an actual trail and can therefore be waded through. But if you plan to cross a river without a trail crossing, read as many accounts from other people who tried this before you, and make sure you have several alternative routes in case you find yourself in front of a raging river.
I worried about river crossings a lot in Iceland. Once I knew I had to pass a potentially large one following a dirt road in the Highlands. I was frantically googling the name of the river and watching YouTube videos of people in cars, failing to cross it. It turned out to be a relatively high but very timid stream, fine for a hiker. Another time I did get stuck behind a fast-flowing stream. I was on a deserted dirt road and as it was getting late, I decided to camp next to the water. The following morning I got up early and waited until a car came and gave me a lift to the other side.
Camping restriction / mountain huts
Some countries allow you to wild camp almost everywhere, and some have lots of confusing rules. You’ll have to research general rules but also each individual national park or nature reserve. Especially in popular areas camping is often restricted to established sites near huts or the like. Some parks may not even let you in unless you can show you’ve booked a night in a mountain hut. Other parks allow wild camping only above a certain elevation, which can severely limit your daily movements. If you do your research in advance you’ll know when to be careful / book ahead / only camp near established sites. You might even want to pick up a hut pass ahead of time that gives you a discount. There may also be a cost associated with your route that you may not be able to afford – and then you can choose to alter your route accordingly.
Permits for national parks
Just as camping might be restricted, national parks may require you to get a permit. Check if you need to get this ahead of time and if you need to book this to enter on a specific date so you can adjust your pace!
Trail opening times / seasonal closures
In most places, hiking in the wilderness can be a dangerous thing at certain times of the year – generally due to adverse weather: heavy snowfall (ie. winter time) or extreme heat. Parks may close certain trails so if you’re passing during the off or shoulder season you need to check they’re open and most importantly, if they’re safe to navigate.
I planned my Iceland start date and location around the Laugavegur trail opening times. I intended to start in Reykjavik at the end of May, but realised I would get to the area much too early. The trail opens around mid-late June, depending on snow conditions each year. So I took the bus and changed my start point. I got there right at the end of June.
Parks may close for a variety of other reasons though. Some prohibit access certain days of the week during certain months of the year for things like hunting a specific animal. Whatever the reason, you don’t want to get there at the wrong time and interrupt your thru-hike!
Bounce box
A bounce box is completely optional, but I want to mention it because it might benefit the type of route you’re trying to plan. Let me first explain what it is: a bounce box is a box of items that a hiker will send ahead to several resupply points along their route (often to a post office or hostel.) As post offices often hold packages for a month, hikers might plan to pick it up once a month while in a town, or before a certain stretch that requires specialist equipment. They will retrieve or use certain items in town and then send it on to the next point along the trail.
You can put all sorts of things in a bounce box – a laptop or tablet, luxury items, clean clothes, winter gear, detergent for laundry, batteries, new shoes, vitamins or electrolytes that you can’t buy everywhere.
Some people swear by bounce boxes, and I can see advantages – especially when coming from abroad and needing cold weather gear for parts of your hike. Saying that, I’ve never used one as I wouldn’t want to deal with the additional stress of reaching a post office within a certain time frame (and possibly losing the entire box during transit.)
But I wanted to point out the option as it may prove a vital item for you to complete your hike. It may be the only way to replace socks and shoes, or have access to all the maps you need without overloading your backpack. You can bring lithium batteries that may be difficult to replace otherwise.
In the US, this service from the post office is called ‘General Delivery’, and in Europe, this is called ‘Poste Restante’. You should check the individual post offices to ensure they accept packages. You can also approach hostels or even national park visitor centres to see if they can hold a package for you.
Time of year
When should you hike? There are a few different factors to consider. First, when are the crowds coming? Some of the areas you pass through might get very busy with tourists and hikers during certain months, and you may want to hike during the shoulder season to take advantage of the quiet.
Climate is another key factor. The temperature, thunderstorms in the mountains, early or late season snowfall, monsoon season or dry seasons. Some countries experience monsoons during those summer months that you thought were perfect. Summer months may also come with afternoon thunderstorms. There may be droughts late in the summer that dry up all your water supplies. Spring and fall may still produce inconvenient amounts of snow.
Any trail closures from your earlier research will have already shown you when you should and shouldn’t hike in the region. But also check if you can actually complete your entire route within your weather window. My planned Norway hike has turned into such a beast that I don’t think I can do it within the relatively short (comfortable) weather window (over 2350 mi / 3800 km with a weather window of less than 5 months) – I think I may have to go back to it and find some alternative, shorter routes as I don’t want to struggle in the snow.
Direction
The direction of your hike can make a surprising difference. If you construct a north – south route, do you want to walk with the sun in your eyes or behind you? You might prefer a northbound route but the weather conditions at certain times of the year might persuade you to go the other direction. Same with east to west. Consider the sun and the weather conditions of your start and end point. You may also want to start with the easier terrain so you’ve enhanced your fitness by the time you hit the strenuous mountains ranges.
With all this research done, you should have everything you need to hike your own trail. Get out there, stay safe and be wild, begin your life of adventure! I hope you will share your experiences and write about it / take pictures / make videos so that we can get inspired by your adventures as well. If you have any other questions, please leave me a comment and I will try and help as well as I can. Happy trails!
