Europe Trekking Packing List

Packing Advice

  • This packing list is just a recommended guideline for your reference. Everything is optional for you to choose from.
  • It’s best to leave all unnecessary valuables and jewelry at home.
  • Print a copy of your reservation and place it inside your checked baggage for identification purposes while you are traveling.
  • The “Alps” includes the Dolomites, Tour du Mont Blanc, and the Summer Haute Route.  People hiking the Camino do not need items marked with “(Alps)”.
  • The transferred luggage for the Alps is limited to 1 bag at 15kg/33lbs.  If you are staying at a rifugio/mountain hut, luggage is only transferred to the next town, not to the hut.  For the Haute Route, the duffel needs to be without wheels.
  • The transferred luggage for the Camino is limited to 1 bag at 20kg/44lbs.
  • Reducing Plastic on Your Trip >>
  • More packing advice >>
  • AWR Gear Store >>
PDF>> Printable PDF
Hut to Hut Trek
Packing List >>

Clothing

Your clothing should be lightweight, breathable, hand-washable, and quick-drying, preferably moisture-wicking and non-cotton.

  • Long hiking pants (zip-off pants are very useful)
  • Hiking shorts
  • Short-sleeved hiking shirts
  • Long-sleeved hiking shirts
  • Evening pants and nice shirt for dinner/in-town
  • Underwear, sports bra
  • Sun hat with brim
  • Bandana (for dust, washing, etc.)
  • Belt
  • Pajamas
  • Swimsuit, coverup

Cold Weather Clothing

  • Fleece jacket/pullover
  • Rain jacket and/or rain poncho
  • Waterproof/rain/shell pants
  • Light down jacket/second fleece (Alps)
  • Lightweight gloves (Alps)
  • Lightweight wool/fleece hat (Alps)
  • Long underwear (Alps)

Footwear

Your hiking boots will get dirty, wet, and muddy. Extra shoes are nice for relaxing in the evenings.

  • Hiking shoes — Sturdy, comfortable with notched rubber sole, preferably waterproof (heavier for the Alps, lighter for the Camino)
  • Tennis shoes, sandals, dressy shoes, and/or flip flops
  • Comfortable, breathable socks
  • Light hiking gaiters

Baggage

Dolomites: For hut-to-hut trips with overnights in rifugios, your pack should be of a bigger capacity (35 to 50 liters), as you will be carrying more equipment and clothing. You can expect to carry from 6 to 12 kilograms (13-26 pounds) in your backpack during the hikes, when you consider rain gear, water, camera, clothing, snacks, and any extras.

  • Suitcase/duffel for transport (1 bag at 15kg/33lbs for Alps / 1 bag at 20kg/44lbs for Camino)
  • Day pack with rain cover for you to carry (20L for the Camino / 34L for the Dolomites)
  • Packing cube, stuff sacks, compression bag for organizing gear and dirty clothing — Reducing Plastic on Your Trip >>
  • Clear toiletry bag for airplane
  • Money belt/security pouch, document organizer
  • Fold up bag/pack
  • Make sure all your luggage has your contact information.

Dorms in Huts (Alps)

  • Sleeping sheet
  • Small towel

Electronics

Store electronics in dry bags. Remember to set the date and time on your cameras to local time.

  • Headlamp/flashlight, extra batteries
  • Cell phone, power cord, battery backup, headphones (Download Travel Apps)
  • Camera, lenses, memory disks, batteries, charger/power cord
  • GoPro/video camera, memory disks, batteries, charger/power cord
  • Kindle/iPad, power cord
  • Tripod (travel size)
  • Lens cleaning cloth
  • Watch/alarm clock
  • Electricity converter/adapter, multi-plug
  • Check with your cell phone provider for international use, or buy an unlocked cell phone with sim card locally.

Toiletries

  • Soap, shampoo, conditioner, gel
  • Hairbrush, comb, mirror
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
  • Lotion
  • Deodorant
  • Shaving supplies
  • Nail clippers, nail file
  • Kleenex, toilet paper
  • Moist towelettes (handi-wipes)
  • Sunscreen
  • Lip balm with sunscreen
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Q-tips
  • Sewing kit
  • Small towel/washcloth
  • Insect repellent
  • Feminine products,  cosmetics, hair binders

First Aid

You really only need one first aid kit in your travel group, so coordinate with your travel companions.

  • Prescription medicines, Antibiotics (talk to doctor)
  • Vitamins
  • Ibuprofen/Acetaminophen/Aspirin
  • Diarrhea medicine (Imodium AD or similar)
  • Antihistamines
  • Melatonin, Acetazolamide, or other sleep aid
  • Throat lozenges
  • Bandaids/plasters
  • Disinfectant, antiseptic cream, antibiotic ointment
  • Gauze bandages and tape

Documents

  • Passport (make sure it is valid 6 months after your trip!)
  • Visas for all countries as necessary
  • Airline tickets, e-tickets (make sure name on ticket matches name on passport)
  • Copy of AWR travel itinerary
  • Medical insurance card
  • Document organizer
  • Make copies of passport, visas, drivers license, airline tickets/schedule, travel itinerary, credit cards (front and back), frequent flyer numbers, travel insurance, and emergency contact information.
  • Leave a copy with someone at home and store in Cloud. Put copies of your travel itinerary in each checked bag.

Other

  • Cash (including some small bills, U.S. dollars must be newer and in good condition)
  • Credit cards, ATM card (check for international bank fees)
  • Trekking poles (collapsible)
  • Sunglasses, straps
  • Water bottles, Camelbak
  • Steripen/water filter/purification tablets
  • Pocketknife
  • Notebook, pens
  • Books, playing cards, games, crossword puzzles, frisbee, kite
  • Energy bars, hard candy, snacks, comfort foods
  • Duct tape (can be wrapped around water bottle)
  • Carabiners (for attaching things to your day pack or hanging things to dry)
  • Guide books, maps, language books
  • Binoculars
  • Small umbrella
  • Gifts for guides and people you meet
  • Banner/flag/sentimental item to hold up in an important place
  • Eyeglasses/contacts, case, solution

Packing for the flight

  • Passport, flight e-tickets, AWR travel itinerary
  • Cell phone, headphones, charger
  • Books, magazines, Kindle/iPad, cards, games
  • U-shaped neck pillow
  • Eye shades, ear plugs
  • Toiletries (3 ounces/container, 1 quart clear bag)
  • Snacks
  • Water bottle (empty through security)
  • Kleenex, wet wipes
  • Melatonin or other sleep aid
  • Prescription medicines / Daily vitamins
PDF>> Printable PDF
Hut to Hut Trek
Packing List >>
Adventures Within Reach. Copyright 2023. All Rights Reserved