For many of us, it is often the thing that we leave until the last minute. It’s great to plan a holiday, exciting when the dates are booked, but the idea of packing and deciding what and what not to take can be somewhat tedious and tiresome and not in the least bit fun. There are of course others who forward think what to pack for a walking holiday and have everything organized and laid out, folded neatly on the bed, days before departure. If you fall into the former category of people, then this blog is for you!
Here are some ideas and tips about what to pack for walking holiday in France
Ideally, we recommend 2 bags per person, 1 large bag that will be transported by our taxi service from one place of stay to another and a 2nd small backpack (20-40 litres) in which you will carry the items required for the day’s walk, including your picnic and water and any souvenirs or treats that you pick up along the way. We highly recommend trying out your backpack at home before leaving to get used to the weight and the feel of it as you will have it on you every day of your Provence walking trip and you need it to be as comfy to wear as possible. What to pack for your walking holiday, in your backpack, is a serious question and requires forward thinking. There is nothing worse than sore shoulders at the end of the day (except maybe sore feet!) so please ensure that the straps on your backpack are padded. The key is to travel light, and travel well.
Hiking packing list: necessary equipment
Top of your list on what to pack for a walking holiday is good footwear. Now, this may seem obvious, but there are walking boots, and then there are walking boots! Along with the comfortable backpack come the comfortable boots with good ankle support and soles with good grips. Ensure that they are waterproof and wear them in before your trip. It is also worth investing in some decent socks too! We also recommend some comfortable trainers/sneakers or sandals for relaxing after the hikes and for the short walks in the evenings to and from the restaurants. Your hiking packing list should include comfortable trousers and /or shorts and t-shirt and fleece for the day on the trail, but don’t forget casual clothes too for evenings and walk-free days.
Our self-guided Provence walking holidays range in difficulty from easy to challenging. Even though you do not need to be an experienced walker on one of our easy walking holidays, we do recommend walking poles. There are some excellent poles available now that fold up small and can easily fit into your day pack.
Although it is mainly sunny in the south of France, the weather can be unpredictable, even in Provence and depending on where you are walking, it can take you by surprise. If you are enjoying a Mont Venoux walking holiday for example, you will feel a chill in the air as you climb up to the summit. A lightweight windbreaker & waterproof jacket that can easily be folded up and kept in your backpack should help shield off a bout of cold weather.
What to pack for walking holiday, season depending
When considering what to pack for your walking holiday in Provence during spring and early summer, we recommend layers of clothing. T-shirt, thin fleece and a waterproof jacket for when you set off in the morning, it can be a little brisk until around mid-morning. You can slowly take off layers as you warm up and pack them neatly away in your backpack. Hiking trousers that have zip on/off legs are ideal in managing your body temperature. You can begin the day with your legs covered and end the hike in shorts!
If you are planning a walking trip in late summer, then the fleece will not be necessary. We would still tick the lightweight waterproof jacket box on the hiking packing list. Provence is known for its Mistal wind, a strong, cold and usually dry regional wind coming from the north or northwest, which accelerates when it passes through the valleys of the Rhone and the Durance Rivers to the coast of the Mediterranean around the Camargue region. Although the sky is a clear blue on a windy Mistral day, the temperature does drop so best to be prepared!
From June to September, remember to pack your bathing suits. Many hotels and guest houses in Provence have a swimming pool and there is nothing better than a refreshing dip after a day’s hiking!
Your basic hiking packing list
We have covered the hiking and evening attire and the necessary items in the backpack. We do have a few more tips and recommendations on what to pack for your walking holiday. Some of the following items on the list may seem a little obvious and none are obligatory, but as the saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry! Think to bring:
- Water bottle (at least 1.5 liters per person)
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Sun cream
- Bathing suit (some of your accommodations may have a swimming pool)
- Small torch or head lamp (for walking home from the restaurants in the evening, especially in the small villages)
- Camera
- Toilet paper
- Wash kit and sewing kit
- First aid pack including band-aids, blister kit, disinfectant, pain relievers, antidiarrheal medication, tweezers, mosquito repellant, personal medication.
- Adaptor/converter plug
We hope that this blog is useful and that we have alleviated some of the stress out of the “what to pack for a walking holiday” question!
