European Hut to Hut Trip Packing List

Hut to hut backpacking requires much less gear than a traditional backpacking trip spent sleeping in tents, but a bit more gear and thought than just day-packing. Some people choose to pack more than what I outline below, opting to carry a larger backpack and more weight in order to have a new change of clothes each day. I pack very minimally for these trips as the vertical gain and descent each day can be grueling and I would rather handwash my clothes in the sink at night (or, let's be honest, just wear stinky clothes) than carry a huge heavy pack.

For some this list will be comprehensive and include everything you want, but for others this list details the barebones of what you are wanting to bring. Either way, this is a great starting point to pack for your hut to hut trip this summer! Feel free to leave any comments and questions below. Happy hiking!!

Also, please note that I do earn a small commission on any Amazon links below! These are the actual items that I own so if something cannot be found on Amazon, I linked directly to the manufacturer's website (which I do not make commission on). Okay thanks for supporting :)

Beautiful weather on the Alta Via 2.

Sleeping Setup:

• Earplugs (you will sleep dorm-style)

• Sleeping mask (for the same reason)

• Sleeping bag liner (you do not need a full sleeping bag but the liner is required)**

  • You want one with the pillow covering as well, as pillow are not washed daily. Silk ones pack down pretty small. Mine is linked here: https://amzn.to/492HrVK

    
    

Clothing:

• Hat

• Sunglasses

• Spare socks (I usually bring two pairs of hiking socks and alternate days with them. I always bring a separate pair for sleeping as well)

  • My fave hiking socks: https://amzn.to/4941RO6

• One hiking outfit (you can bring more but the less you bring the less you have to carry)

• Fleece pullover for cold mornings or hanging out at the hut

• One sleeping outfit

• Hut shoes (I bring a very light pair of sandals. some huts will have these at the door for you but others may not so its nice to have your own. You are not allowed to wear outdoor shoes inside in most huts.)

Gear:

• Day pack

  • Mine is linked here: https://amzn.to/49fMeC4

• Kula cloth (for girls only)

  • linked here: https://tinyurl.com/3dw7557x

• Rain jacket

• Puffer jacket

• Beanie/gloves if cold weather expected

• First aid kit

• Water filter (not necessary everywhere but I'm always glad to have it)

  • mine linked here: https://amzn.to/4bf4JsL

• Headlamp

• Hiking poles

• Garmin Inreach

• Plenty of water-carrying capacity

• Via Ferrata gear (Italy only)-this is the gear I used:

  • Harness: https://amzn.to/4qEEDnD

  • Spinner Leash:https://amzn.to/4joDhLa

  • Helmet: https://amzn.to/3N67h2w

Putting my via ferrata gear to good use!!

Toiletries:

• Body Wipes (just assume you will not have access to showers. If you do, it will be a nice surprise!!)

• Deoderant

• Chapstick

• Comb (or brush but comb takes up less space)

• Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss

• Moisturizer/face wash

• Sunscreen

• Quick-dry towel (make sure it's small as you may only use this a few times anyways)

• Shampoo/conditioner/body wash (also make sure these are small as again you may only use them once or twice)

• Zquil to help adjust to jetlag

  
  

Food:

• Electrolytes

• Snacks

NOTE: If you get half-board at the huts, breakfast and dinner will be provided each day. You can buy a takeaway lunch at the hut or plan to stop in a town or another hut for lunch each day. I just brought snacks to get me through between meals.

Other:

• Passport

• Headphones

• Kindle

• Any chargers you may need

• Portable power bank (some huts may have plentiful chargers but some may have none or everyone may be fighting for space so this takes some stress off of charging all your electronics overnight)

  • I use this Anker one: https://amzn.to/4qbQMki

• Power converter (best if it has multiple spots for plug-ins)

  • Mine here (good for every country in the world, has multiple plug-in spots): https://amzn.to/49mnTKM

See my full shopping list for hut to hut trips here: https://tinyurl.com/HuttoHutPacking

Not to brag, but look how teeny tiny my pack was.

**NOTE: The sleeping bag liner is required by huts!! It helps with the spread of bed bugs

from hut to hut and helps with hut cleaning. You also will want it as the huts cannot wash their comforters every single night due to water usage and time constraints, so your comforter each night will probably have been used by some other hikers before you. Some people will bring their own sleeping bags, opting not to use the comforters, however, this changes the pack you will need to carry from a little daypack to a larger pack.

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If you are interested in a custom trip itinerary, contact me at lauren.jones3@fora.travel or the submission box at the bottom of this page!