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In 2026, it’s less about beach breaks and more about adventure — and a new hiking route is taking this to the extreme.
The Wolf Trail, which stretches a staggering 2,171 miles, spans six European countries and takes anywhere between four and six months to complete.
Stretching across Poland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia and Italy, it covers diverse landscapes from Baltic dunes to the Dolomites.
Those who attempt the trek should also know that it’s the equivalent of ten times the height of Mount Everest.
But it’s no biggie for Gen Z and millennials, who seem to be officially bored of sunbathing and Aperols.
Instead, they’re in search of adrenaline-inducing experiences.
On Pinterest, searches for adventure tourism have surged by 75%, while trekking and mountaineering have seen a 69% rise year-on-year.
Meanwhile, the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) estimates the European adventure travel market is now worth approximately £345 billion.
So, as one of Europe’s most challenging treks — and a good example of the ‘thru-hiking’ trend — let’s see what the Wolf Trail is all about.
What is the Wolf Trail?
The Wolf Trail was actually created by the outdoor brand Jack Wolfskin, designed to ‘show Europe in all its facets.’
We have to give it to them, that’s some clever marketing.
It’s split into seven continuous stages from north to south, with each representing a unique part of the continent.
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But before we get into it, we know that a six-month hike sounds daunting.
Plus, not everyone has the luxury of taking half a year off work to walk across Europe.
Which is why the trail gives you the option to join at different stages, whether that’s taking on the Alpine Gateway or beelining for Germany’s wine regions.
Essentially, there’s no pressure to complete the whole thing; it’s more about getting the opportunity to discover different parts of Europe on your own terms and at your own pace.
The Wolf Trail route, from Poland to Italy
Keen? Here are the seven stages in order:
1. Baltic start — 265 miles
The route starts on Poland’s Hel Peninsula, a 22-mile long sand spit in the north of the country.
The area separates the dramatic Baltic Sea from the Bay of Puck’s calm, shallow waters, and is renowned for its ancient pine forests and powdery sand beaches.
Plus, it’s known as a premier destination for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
This section also takes you through the dunes in Słowiński National Park and heads towards Świnoujście on the Polish-German border.
While you’re there, take the opportunity to ride the world’s most controversial transport route: the 666 bus to Hel.
2. Rivers and plains — 337 miles
You don’t associate Poland or Germany with sun-drenched coastal spots. But this trail aims to take you off the beaten track.
From Świnoujście, you’ll make your way across the Usedom islands, which are divided between Germany and Poland.
Due to its close-ish proximity to the German capital (you can drive there in around 2 hours and 30 minutes), the Baltic Sea island has been dubbed ‘Berlin’s Bathtub.’
For years, the city’s residents have flocked to Germany’s sunniest island for a relaxing beach weekend.
Elsewhere on this stretch, you’ll cross Germany’s Mecklenburg coast, famous for its 1,240-mile Baltic shoreline, and the Elbe Valley in Saxony.
3. The green heart — 300 miles
Next up is Lüneburg Heath, a nature reserve in Germany’s Lower Saxony region.
Here, you’ll swap the Baltic coast for this large woodland, complete with pretty purple heath and rolling countryside.
Lüneburg as a city is also known for its 1,000-year history as a major salt-producing centre, which survived WWII unscathed.
4. Forests and wine — 355 miles
Moving further through Germany into the Rothaar Mountains, stop here for glacial lakes, dense forests and, of course, summer hiking routes.
The low mountain range sits in west-central Germany, and in winter, is a hotspot for skiing and winter sports.
From here, drop down into the Palatinate wine regions, Germany’s second-largest wine-growing region.
Then it’s through to Soonwald hills, a densely forested, low mountain range, which is already renowned for its 53-mile long-distance trail called the Soonwaldsteig.
If you’re thinking about a detour, this route starts at Kirn on the Nahe River and extends through to Bingen on the Rhine.
5. High watch — 356 miles
Before making your way into Switzerland, there’s Germany’s iconic Black Forest to get through.
This area is as famous for Black Forest cake as it is for being the inspiration behind Brothers Grimm fairy tales.
Some of their most well-known 19th-century stories include Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood and Rumpelstiltskin.
Of course, there’s way more to see in the Black Forest before heading to Lake Constance, where Germany, Switzerland, and Austria meet.
This includes the Triberg Waterfalls and Freiburg, the unofficial capital that features a medieval old town and Gothic cathedral.
6. Alpine Gateway — 231 miles
If you’ve made it this far, you’ll find yourself in the breathtaking Allgäu Alps on the Germany–Austria border.
As well as immersing yourself in nature (and perhaps even swapping the hiking boots for skis), the trail weaves through Innsbruck, the capital of the Austrian state of Tyrol.
Take a day off to explore the city, whether that’s wandering through the Old Town or from above in the Nordkette Cable Car.
If you choose the latter, your bird’s-eye view will take you 7,500ft above the city, complete with sweeping views of the Alps.
Finally, don’t forget to check out Ambras Castle, a magnificent piece of Renaissance architecture in the hills above Innsbruck.
7. Alpine Crossing — 347 miles
Last but not least, take on the ‘most demanding’ leg of the journey through the Italian Dolomites and Slovenia’s Julian Alps.
While Italy’s dramatic mountain range boasts sheer limestone walls and high alpine meadows, Slovenia’s version features postcard glacial lakes and emerald valleys.
However, both are an outdoor lover’s paradise.
When is the best time to complete the Wolf Trail?
Due to the different weather conditions in each spot, it’s recommended that travellers complete the trail between April and September.
This is mostly down to the fact that the winter snow will have melted in the Alps, and before the heavier blizzards set in come autumn.
The rise of 'thru-hiking'
If you’re unfamiliar with the term ‘thru-hiking,’ it’s essentially a more extreme version of hiking.
The latter usually takes a few days, whereas thru-hiking can last weeks or months.
And, because you can’t carry months’ worth of supplies with you, hikers often map out their own version of a route.
That means planning scheduled stops in nearby towns for groceries, or simply spending a few days exploring somewhere.
Thru-hiking has also boomed in popularity in recent years, mainly thanks to social media content from TikTok and Instagram.
For example, permits for the Pacific Crest Trail — which also featured in Cheryl Strayed’s memoir Wild, later made into a film starring Reese Witherspoon — more than doubled between 2013 and 2016.
The 2,650-mile long-distance trek spans from the Mexican border in Campo, California, to the Canadian border in Washington state.
Elsewhere, the Appalachian Trail, which takes five to seven months, has recently recorded 16.9 million visits.
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