The Wolf Trail, a new 3,494-kilometre walking route created by outdoor brand Jack Wolfskin, stretches across six European countries and takes between four and six months to complete. The trail covers diverse landscapes from Baltic dunes in Poland to the Dolomites in Italy, passing through Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Slovenia. According to the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), the European adventure travel market is now worth approximately £345 billion, with Pinterest searches for adventure tourism surging by 75% and trekking and mountaineering up 69% year-on-year.
Route and stages
The Wolf Trail is split into seven continuous stages from north to south. The first stage, Baltic Start, covers 428 kilometres from Poland's Hel Peninsula through Słowiński National Park to the Polish-German border. The second stage, Rivers and Plains, runs 543 kilometres across the Usedom islands and Germany's Mecklenburg coast. The third stage, The Green Heart, spans 480 kilometres through Lüneburg Heath in Lower Saxony. The fourth stage, Forests and Wine, covers 572 kilometres through the Rothaar Mountains and Palatinate wine regions. The fifth stage, High Watch, is 573 kilometres through the Black Forest to Lake Constance. The sixth stage, Alpine Gateway, is 373 kilometres through the Allgäu Alps to Innsbruck, Austria. The final stage, Alpine Crossing, covers 558 kilometres through the Italian Dolomites and Slovenia's Julian Alps to Trieste.
Thru-hiking trend
Thru-hiking, a more extreme version of hiking lasting weeks or months, has boomed in popularity partly due to social media. Permits for the Pacific Crest Trail more than doubled between 2013 and 2016, and the Appalachian Trail has recorded 16.9 million visits. The Wolf Trail allows hikers to join at different stages, offering flexibility for those unable to commit to the full route. The best time to complete the trail is between April and September, when winter snow has melted in the Alps and before heavier blizzards set in.
Impact and accessibility
The trail, equivalent to ten times the height of Mount Everest, reflects a shift among Gen Z and millennials away from beach holidays toward adrenaline-inducing experiences. Jack Wolfskin designed the trail to 'show Europe in all its facets,' according to the brand. Hikers can plan their own route with scheduled stops in towns for supplies, making the trek accessible to a range of abilities and time commitments.
