A monumental new long-distance hiking trail has opened across Europe, linking Poland's Baltic coast with Italy's Adriatic Sea. The Wolf Trail, designed by German outdoor equipment company Jack Wolfskin, stretches approximately 2,170 miles (3,493 km) and crosses six countries: Poland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and Slovenia. Hikers tackling the full route will climb a cumulative 257ft in elevation — roughly nine times the height of Mount Everest.
The trail officially opened to walkers in late 2025 and is formed from a combination of existing long-distance paths, including the E1, E9 and the Via Alpina. It is divided into seven individual sections, ranging from the 270-mile 'Baltic Start' along coastal forests and sandy beaches to the 345-mile 'Alpine Crossing' through the Dolomites and Julian Alps to Trieste. Other sections traverse the Mecklenburg coast, the Elbe Valley, the Lüneburg Heath, the Rothaar Mountains, the Black Forest and the Allgäu Alps.
Highlights along the route include the shifting sand dunes of Poland's Słowiński National Park, ancient beech forests along the Baltic Sea, and dramatic limestone landscapes in the Dolomites. The trail uses a mix of forest paths and alpine tracks, offering a varied experience from sea level to high mountain passes. Jack Wolfskin describes the route as an invitation to explore Europe on foot, whether as a full thru-hike or in shorter day-walk sections.
For British hikers considering the challenge, the FCO advises checking travel insurance policies for adequate cover for long-distance trekking, particularly in alpine regions where emergency evacuation may be costly. Standard travel insurance often excludes high-altitude hiking or extended trips exceeding 30 days, so a specialist policy is recommended. UK travellers should also ensure their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is valid for emergency medical treatment in EU countries.
Visa-free travel for UK citizens remains in place for stays of up to 90 days in the Schengen area, though the full Wolf Trail may require careful planning to avoid exceeding this limit. The most practical approach for UK walkers is likely to tackle individual sections rather than the entire route in one go. Direct flights from UK airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh serve major gateway cities such as Gdańsk (for the Baltic start), Berlin, Munich, Milan and Venice. Budget airlines offer return fares from around £50–£120 depending on season. Accommodation along the trail ranges from campsites and mountain huts to guesthouses and hotels, with daily costs estimated at £30–£70 per person for budget to mid-range options.