M29, and I am about to walk 2,500km solo across Europe. SEEKING FOR TIPS
Hey everyone,
I’m 29 years old. For a long time, I’ve been trapped in severe depression and a sense of complete emptiness. Looking back at my life, I felt like I hadn't achieved anything meaningful or built anything that mattered. Instead of giving up, I’ve decided to step out. Literally.
I am planning a solo 2,500km march across Europe. I will be starting from Cartigliano (a small town in northern Italy) and walking all the way to Copenhagen, Denmark. Starting from June 10.
The Route (Roughly): Italy (Cartigliano -> Milan) -> Switzerland (Geneva) -> France (Lyon -> Paris) -> Belgium (Brussels) -> Netherlands (Amsterdam) -> Germany (Hamburg) -> Denmark (Copenhagen).
Why am I writing here? I have zero experience in extreme, long-distance thru-hiking. I’m a guy stepping straight from a sedentary lifestyle onto a 4-month mountain and road trek. I am terrified, especially about crossing the Alps between Milan and Geneva and the upcoming summer heat, but I am committed.
I’m looking for an experienced community. I need real advice and maybe some mental support from people who understand what it means to be alone on the road.
If you have any tips on:
- Must have gear.
- Footwear longevity (I’ll probably burn through 3-4 pairs of boots).
- Safe pedestrian routing through heavily urbanized parts of France and the Benelux countries.
- Or if you just want to share how solo travel helped you find your way out of a dark place...
Thank you for reading. Wish me luck🍀