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Practical tips for travelling: preparation and what to pack

On this page, you’ll find practical information about a Gofinestera trek: how to prepare and what to take with you. If you’re setting off, this is the page to have a quick read through before you leave. Please note that the tips here are general in nature and some may be a bit excessive for a simple walk in the woods, but they are important for a more challenging, multi-day trek across rougher terrain.

You can read more about walking and pilgrimage itself, the background to these activities and meditating along the way on the page ‘Walking and Pilgrimage: Background and Experience’.

Preparing, whichever route you choose

The same applies to every route: prepare thoroughly at home. Make sure you have a map, a fully charged mobile phone, suitable kit and, for multi-day routes, somewhere to stay overnight. Take a notebook with you if you want to write whilst on the trail, and above all, make sure you leave room for a sense of wonder.

What do you want from this walk?

Think in advance about what you want from this walk and with what intention you’re setting off. Are you simply going for a walk, or are you making it a proper Gofinestera walk, with time for meditation along the way? Both are possible, as long as you’re clear about it for yourself.

Alone or together

Also consider whether you’re going alone or with someone else. Both can result in a wonderful walk, but require a slightly different intention. Walking alone gives you more space for silence and for yourself. Walking together adds a shared experience, and often the conversation that naturally arises from the rhythm of walking.

Let someone know where you are

Especially on a longer or solo walk, let someone at home know which route you’re taking and when you expect to arrive. It’s a small gesture, but it brings peace of mind – both for you and for those waiting for you.

Weather and footwear

Dress for the weather, and wear comfortable, well-worn shoes. Rain doesn’t have to be a spoilsport. Just look how beautifully rain-soaked leaves glisten, and how fresh the air smells after a shower. Rain is part of the experience too, and is beautiful in its own way.

Heat, thunderstorms and daylight

Check the weather forecast in advance and find out what time the sun sets. If it’s hot, set off early, take extra water with you and wear a cap or hat. During a thunderstorm, stay away from open terrain and do not take shelter under a solitary tree. In warm, dry areas, there may be a risk of forest fires in summer: check for any local warnings and do not use open fires.

Food, drink and fitness

Take plenty of food and drink with you. Don’t underestimate yourself, but above all, don’t overestimate yourself either. Carefully assess the difficulty of the walk in advance and tailor it to your own fitness level.

Build up your fitness

Are you not used to long distances? Then start with short walks and gradually build up the distance. Ideally, practise on terrain similar to that of your hike, and for a multi-day hike, practise a few times with a fully loaded rucksack.

Accommodation

Does the thought of whether you’ll have a place to stay in the evening make you a bit anxious? If so, factor this into your preparations and book your accommodation in advance.

Come up with a plan B

Think in advance about what you’ll do if things don’t go to plan: where can you take a shortcut, find shelter or catch a taxi or other transport? That way, you won’t have to improvise whilst on the go.

Maps even without mobile coverage

You may lose mobile coverage whilst on the move. You can download a GPX file for the routes. Load this into your navigation app in advance and download the map so you can use everything offline; if in doubt, take a paper map with you.

Emergencies and insurance

In the EU and the UK, you can call 112 in an emergency. If you’re travelling abroad, take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you. You can apply for this free of charge from your health insurer; it’s valid in the EU and the UK, amongst other places, but only for medically necessary care. Travel insurance covers more, such as a return journey if you’re forced to cut your trip short.

Check yourself for ticks in the evening

Check yourself for ticks in the evening after your walk, especially after a walk through woods, dunes or tall grass. The advice is to look particularly carefully in your groin, armpits and behind your ears – areas that can sometimes be difficult to see yourself.

You can read more about walking and pilgrimage itself, and about meditating along the way, on the page ‘Walking and Pilgrimage: Background and Experience’.

Preparing for different types of walk

Each type of walk requires its own preparation. For each route, first check the distance, the elevation changes and the type of terrain, and choose what suits your fitness level.

Day trip or day walk

A day trip requires little preparation. Take food and drink with you for the whole day and check the weather forecast in advance. For a route of 15 to 20 kilometres, allow roughly four to five hours’ walking, excluding breaks and the time spent at places of power. So don’t set off too late, to avoid having to walk back in the dark.

Multi-day trip and pilgrimage

  • Book your accommodation in advance and have a plan B for each stage – for example, a place where you can take a shortcut or stay overnight if things don’t go to plan.
  • Keep your rucksack light. A well-known rule of thumb is that it shouldn’t weigh more than about ten per cent of your body weight, and that you shouldn’t carry any ‘just in case’ items.
  • Drink regularly – don’t wait until you’re thirsty, but don’t drink more than your body needs either. A regular eating pattern will help you maintain your energy levels.
  • Are you walking the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela? Then you’ll need a pilgrim’s pass (credencial), in which you collect stamps along the way. The Dutch Society of St James offers tips on the route and places to stay.

Car and cycle route

A car or cycle route takes you from one place of power to another. Don’t plan too many stops in a single day, so that you have time to really take a break. Check in advance where you can park or store your bike, and make sure your phone or e-bike battery is fully charged. Bring food and drink with you on this route too.

Other tips for what to bring

The emphasis here is on ‘tips’. Simply go through the list and see what works for you or applies to your situation.

Shoes and clothing

  • Shoes: check in advance what sort of terrain you’ll be walking on and choose your shoes accordingly.
  • Socks: choose seamless walking socks that wick away sweat; avoid cotton if possible.
  • Preventing blisters: wear shoes that have been broken in and tape up sensitive areas beforehand, making sure there are no ridges.
  • (Rain) clothing: check in advance what weather to expect and whether you’ll need rainwear.
  • You may well get warm quickly whilst walking. Dressing in layers is useful in this case.
  • Sun cream: even if it isn’t very sunny, this can be useful.
  • In countries such as Scotland and Ireland, and in mountainous areas (even in summer), a hat and/or gloves may come in handy.

First aid

  • A first-aid kit containing at least plasters, bandages, anti-blister cream, tick tweezers and adhesive tape.

Maps, mobile phone and power

  • Maps and a charged mobile phone (the Gofinestera website also uses data).
  • Download the GPX file for the route and the map in advance, and take a paper map and, if necessary, a compass with you as a backup.
  • A power bank.
  • If you’re walking in other countries: check whether you need a special plug.

Light and dry

  • A head torch or torch, in case it gets later than planned.
  • Dry bags or a rain cover to keep your belongings dry.

Money and documents

  • Depending on where you’re going: remember your debit card, credit card, passport and driving licence.
  • Check where you can withdraw money or make sure you have enough cash.
  • For trips abroad: your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and your travel insurance.

Accommodation, food and drink

From every Gofinestera location on the map, you can click through to Google Maps and easily find a supermarket, restaurant or accommodation. Handy things to take with you: a thermos flask, a lunchbox and a knife for your lunch.

You might also want to consider

An umbrella, a camera, binoculars, a roll of toilet paper, a book and divining rods.

Sources