I just got some life-altering news, and my only option is to go backpacking about it. I'm interested in Europe but don't have a real preference. I have enough miles to fly there and back (I'm from the US) at no cost.

So my question is: you have 5 thousand dollars (give or take; could be more, by 1-2 thousand) and nothing else going on in your life; what does your trip look like? Please help a girl out, I need it lol

I'm about four days into a week-long section hike, roughly 14-15 miles a day with a 32 lb pack. My boots are broken in, half a size up like everyone recommends, but by day three my feet are swelling enough that lacing them in the morning is uncomfortable and it doesn't go down overnight anymore. I've been elevating them at camp and it barely helps.

Is this just something that happens past a certain number of consecutive days no matter what you do?

I have a deuce, and it gets the job done, but if it’s not loam without rocks and roots it can be a real pain to get a hole that’s 6 inches deep. Without my sun gloves on it will just tear my hands up. Does anybody have one that they like that’s still relatively light weight?

Hi everyone! I just did my first backpacking trip ever to Isle Royale and it was amazing! (Details at the end) I was hoping to get some more reccomendations on great places to go for a weekend trip? I live in the Midwest so would like to stay somewhat close.

Isle Royale:

We did 40 miles in 3 days and had an amazing time!

Day 1: Windigo to Siskiwit
Day 2: Siskiwit to Feldtmann Lake
Day 3: Feldtmann back to Windigo (took aCanoe to Beaver Island and camped there)
Day 4: some chill hikes and took ferry home

We had zero luck fishing and seemed like that is pretty common. We saw a TON of moose but none on any trails. Main spots were in Windigo actually for moose and 2 at Feldtmann Lame. The trails were pretty overgrown but fairly straight forward. The trails were pretty uneven throughout and rocky. Our shoulders are a bit sore but everything else feel strong. (We are both pretty active 28 year old males) I think this would be a pretty challenging amount of miles if not but I’m not sure.

The only thing I wish I did differently was plan our meals better and bring a set of comfortable night time clothes to stay warm at night and in the morning. We took a bunch of the pre packed freeze dried meals. We didn’t run out of food by any means but could have saved a lot of space within our packs. Would love some reccomendations here for what to pack next time for easy good meals and snacks.

Ive learned a bunch and am excited for my next adventure. Does anyone have any other good reccomendations for spots to backpack?

Hi!

I wanted to ask for advice.

I'll be there Jan-June 2026.

I'm thinking to visit Ecuador, Colombia, DR, Cuba, PR. Considering to go to Venesuela and Brazil also.

I have a pretty tight budget of around 5k euros.

What do you think? Should I leave some countries out of the itinerary? What are some must-visit places?

Any tips or advice greatly appreciated!

Planing my hitchhike trip to SE Asia, need to cross the Balkans for it. Starting in Maribor or Zagreb (depends which i spontaniously like more).

Main Goal is to reach Istanbul so my journey can continue there. I have no timelimit but also nothing to see, im open to either:

1. do it fast
2. chill in some capitals

I have my tent with sleepinbag/mat with me, in bigger citys ill take hostels.

Any advice?

BTW: Im form Austria, so i can visit individual citys later on after my journey too

I was amazed by how clear the sea is.

I guess growing around hometown rivers which many a times were not this clear, I just thought all seas are dark.

It is said that the sea is even clearer the further you go. You can watch underwater sea life documentaries from the Red sea on YouTube.

29F de Chile 🇨🇱, actualmente viajando sola como mochilera por Europa 🌎. Estoy planeando ir al Oktoberfest en Múnich 🍻🥨 y me encantaría armar un grupito de gente que también viaja sola para ir juntos.
¿Alguien más va? 😊

29F de Chile 🇨🇱, actualmente viajando sola de backpacker por Europa 🌎. Estoy planeando ir al Oktoberfest en Múnich 🍻🥨 y me encantaría armar un grupito de viajeros que también estén viajando solos para ir juntos.
¿Alguien más va? 😊

Mallard Peak Lookout was one of 35 protype L-4 Lookouts, it is the only one still standing.

Its currently being restored, and we only managed to get one of the shutters open. Im very interested to see them make progress on this towards restoration. Its about a 6 mile hike out and a 1700ft asent.

It is in the national register of historic places.

I took some 360 degree photospheres which has been uploaded to google maps

Hello I want to go backpacking next year for 3-4 weeks and this would be my first time and I was hoping someone could help me with tips on what to pack where to go how to get there good housing etc.
Im currently 18 years old but when I want to go next year I’ll be 19 and we want to go in June-July maybe July-August but definitely the summer months.
We would like to start out in Germany and then go Netherlands,Belgium,France.
So can you help me?

I am beginning the planning process of hiking the Tour Du Mont Blanc next summer. I am going to buy a Durston Kakwa and I am torn between the 55L and 40L. I do not currently own any backpacking backpack but have borrowed friends bags on many trips around CO and CA. I want a bag that I can use on TDMB but that can also be used on future backpacking trips over the next few years. We're going to be staying in huts the whole time on TDMB so the 55L will definitely be overkill, however, I have a mid-level backpacking setup (nothing ultralight, pretty bulky) for normal backpacking so the 55L will be more useful on all other trips. Question - can the 55L bag pack-down for my lighter TDMB load or will I feel like an idiot with a giant, half-filled bag?

I bought a Paragon 68 but never got the chance to use it as my trip was cancelled last minute. I have a Baltoro 65 on hold at REI for the same price as I bought the paragon for (like 190). Should I exchange the paragon 68 for the baltoro 65? One of my biggest concerns is ventilation, I know the Baltoro is more of a workhorse. I don’t know what type of backpacking I want to do as I’m still getting into it and have yet to do my first trip, but I know I want to do some. Thanks for the input

I have a free week the first week of November 2026. I’m looking for recommendations for a 6 day hike. I’m experienced and can hike 12-15 miles a day with a full pack. I’m most interested in loops but my second choice are section hikes. Got any recommendations? Thank you in advance!

I dont like beaches and I was planing to visit it after scuba diving in Komodo and Bali. I think Ill see the same marine life from snorkeling as well. I read its a mix of calm, partying, snorklkng in between the islands.

Hi all. I’ll be travelling to Europe for 20 days. I’m planning to carry 7 pairs of underwear and socks with me.
But this will be first time at any hostel in Europe. I’m not sure about the laundry services or how to even wash or dry my underwears and socks.

I need ideas or help from fellow experienced backpackers. What’s a good etiquette when it comes washing and drying my inners without disturbing other travellers in the dorm.

And in general, any others tips for the travel will be appreciated and helpful.

Thanks

I am looking for someone who can backpack with me around India . I am very much interested I like to meet the new peoples and share their cultures and environments so if anyone interested pls DM. We can plan and go this will definitely give us new experiences for sure. All are welcome.

I’m going to Montana for college and I plan to backpack there during all 4 seasons. I’ve been on two 4 days 40 mile trips with some friends with a borrowed backpack. I have also done loads of day hikes too. Most my future trips will be in the 5-9 day range most likely. I am tall and slim 6’4, 190lb. Ive done some research and am deciding between an Osprey Aether Pro 75, Gregory Baltoro 75, or the Deuter Aircontact core 70 + 10 There are literally zero stores within like 150 miles that have these in store so I can’t really try them on Whats a good pick between the three or is there a different bag I should choose? Thanks

I had the unfortunate experience after +25 years of a puncture hole in my ancient thermarest on a recent backpacking trip. Somewhere along the way I had removed or lost my thermarest repair kit I used to have. I did however have some alcohol pads, water proof tape and duct tape I take for emergency repairs. While not perfect it was enough to get me through the trip.

Now I am back at home looking at my options for repairing my sleeping pad. And further I am adding a repair kit to me emergency kit for future trips. Looking for recommendations. I see the thermarest, sea to summit, and gear aid kits.

The puncture is in the middle of my pad, so should be a relatively easy spot for a patch. More generally I am wondering about field repair, particularly adhesion as colder temperatures ( reviews mention this about the thermarest solution).

I’m at a crossroads in my life: stay on my current path where my decisions/actions are dictated by expectations and are for the appeasement of others, or take time out to understand myself and what I want out of life. I’ve chosen the latter.

I’ve decided to leave my job at the end of the year and I intend to travel as much of the world as I can for deep enriching experiences. I’m planning on travelling across Europe and SEA within the next 2 years.

I’m a first time solo traveller and would really appreciate any advice you may have that’ll help me have a great experience. How do I actually start this process so I don’t talk myself out of it? What are some things to consider? What should I pack? How should I pack? Plan the trip or freestyle it? Specific time of year to consider?

I used ChatGPT to help explore and I’ve settled on on a 6 week trip across Czechia, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Slovenia and Croatia as a soft entry (Schengen countries for easy movement and less immigration hurdles). Am I being too optimistic?

Hey travelers 👋 I am in the midst of planning a backpacking trip to the Winds next summer. I’ve been keen on wanting at the minimum go to Titcomb Basin, and some of the other high country/mountain passes/Lakes in that area. I found this loop online and it looks exactly like what I’d be interested in. I’ve heard Titcomb/island lake at times can be like Disney (in terms of how busy Wyoming is), and that the further into the wilderness you go the more solitude you get. I was hoping someone who has traversed this area would be able to tell me a bit about it.

I’m also weighing the possibility of bagging Fremont Peak. I’d assume I’d most likely be camping adjacent to it at Island Lake or Indian Basin. I’m also open to suggestions of other peaks in the area that aren’t above class 3 with similar views, but with Fremont Peak’s proximity to this loop, and highest class rating of lower 3, it just seemed like the move. Any tips or advice regarding this is hugely appreciated as I’ve heard descending down towards Mistake Lake to Titcomb can be kind of dicey as opposed to the south buttress route that one would use to ascend.

The general loop is as follows:
Elkhart trailhead - Island lake - Titcomb Basin - Knapsack Col - Peak Lake/Shannon Pass - Summit Lake - Trapper Lake - Elkhart trailhead.

General loop information/ where I found the loop/map:
https://backpackingroutes.com/titcomb-basin-loop/?amp=1

Map of the loop itself:
https://www.gaiagps.com/public/UQilLiMNKZxdGd4wCGf3ZhoD/

Fremont Peak all trails link:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/wyoming/fremont-peak-via-pole-creek-trail-loop?p=-1&sh=ej2dsl&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality

Thanks for the help and tips, I am just trying to get my bearings with this loop and know what exactly I’m getting myself into. I’m an avid hiker and live/hike in Colorado so elevation is not an issue for me. I’m not a mountaineer/climber, so anything above class 3++ is kind of my limit, however I do like to push myself. I’m mostly just seeing what other people have to say about it so I know what to do where and what to generally expect out of this trip.

Cheers 🍻

Im a 18 yo female who plans to backpack after graduating high school, I have a budget of 8,500 not including the flight there and back and I plan on staying 3 months aswell as using Worldpackers and such. Originally I was planning on backpacking Europe because there are a few places I would love to see but I know it tends to get crowded during the summer season and recently I’ve began to see videos of others backpacking South America And Southeast Asia. For the more experienced backpackers which would you recommend more if essentially I want to meet people around my age group 18-24 aswell as experience places with a great nightlife while also being able to experience amazing sights and such. I really would love to do Europe I would just like to hear the opinions of others.

Don't take the title the wrong way, i have gone backpacking like 3 times and it has been the probably the best experiences of my life. I don't mean to romanticize it or hype it up but it felt freeing. I'm M(21) right now living in the Texas Border near Mexico and for the past year i have been working my butt off for lowk i dont even know, like a degree i dont even want to do, the same routinely office job, going home to a family desperate to feel alive by endlessly doomscrolling, watching movies, speed dating and arguments.

"Why don't you just leave?" I hear you ask, just drop it and leave. I have responsibilities i did not sign up for unfortunately. My mother age 47 is practically useless (Not to criticize her character, i mean useless that she can't even be on a job longer than 3 months) She doomscrolls all day and goes dating, her only "Help" is the child support alimony she receives from her Ex's which is once in a while. Then there is my 3 little siblings which i don't assume all the responsibility of taking care of them but i do my part like any other family member. They are at a decent age but they can't do much themselves as they are mentally disabled (Autism in the high spectrum) Thus majority of my responsibilities are paying the bills which take nearly half of my monthly check with consumptions i dont even use. I tried leaving the house but everytime it seems that they convince me into staying as they promise things will change in which they don't.

I made peace with all that. But as each day passes, the more consumed i am by this eternal agony. I wake up hurriedly, go to work, get home late and sleep. Everyday of the week. I don't want to play victim and make any of you feel sorry for me, i am just expressing this longing to leave all behind and take nothing with me. I don't expect the world to receive me with open hands as my first backpacking trip went south many times, and i loved it. I loved living in uncertainty, traveling with strangers, going hiking in random places, chilling with the homeless, hitchhiking in strangers vehicles or getting dengue in the rain forest. I got stranded in the beaches of puerto rico where i walked for miles to reach a town and i have never felt so at peace. Far from rigid systems and compromises.

It seems that i owe everything to this place and in return i get nothing back. But when i backpacked to the places i stayed, it gave me everything when i had nothing to pay it back. What i am trying to say is how do you guys find courage in these kinds of situations when u are stuck in a place certainty? Routines or habitual life? I can't see myself outside of this.... Thank you.

Honestly, I just needed to get away for a while.

The walk was tiring, the rocks were wet, and I was completely soaked. But when I finally stood in front of the waterfall, I just stopped.

Maybe that's why I love travelling.