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Hiking Road Trip with Motorhome

You can enjoy a hiking trip just as much as a beginner as a professional mountaineer. When travelling with a motorhome or campervan on your hiking road trip, you can be flexible and spontaneously follow the sun to new hiking destinations. Plus, you can park at the bottom of your hiking trail and look forward to a home-cooked meal as soon as your finish. Find everything you need to know before your next hiking camping trip here.

7 Tips For a Hiking Holiday With a Motorhome

Hiking and camping go together perfectly. You can be sure that you will have an unforgettable experience and enjoy a maximum feeling of freedom. A hiking road trip with a motorhome or campervan is probably one of the most versatile and exciting ways to travel.

Nature lovers get their money’s worth. Adventurers will find the adrenaline kick they are looking for. Leisurely walkers can take a more relaxed stroll along panoramic paths and soak up the views. You can go winter hiking, climb peaks, rock climb, watch the waves along coastal paths, stroll for a few hours or take on a trail lasting several days. Families, couples, single, and groups of friends alike can enjoy the beautiful nature on a hiking road trip in a motorhome.

We have compiled the most important tips and tricks for all those who enjoy hiking, road trips and camping. Whether you are an experienced mountaineer or a relaxed hobby hiker, you can organise your hiking trip in such a way that all your fellow travellers feel comfortable and relaxed.

group of friends hiking in the mountains

1. Plan Routes & Be Flexible

First, decide on a travel destination. This can be a mountain range in the Alps or a stretch of coastline in the UK. You can choose a mountain peak that you want to climb or a hiking trail that you don’t want to miss.

Now look for hiking destinations within that region. What options do you have here? What trails, routes and peaks are there? And which ones don’t you want to miss? Plan a rough outline of your route in advance. But try to be flexible and open to the idea that these plans might change. The weather can throw a spanner in the works, or maybe your fitness won’t be as you thought it was – or that of your road trip companions.

A hiking holiday needs to be planned, but travelling in a motorhome or campervan gives you maximum flexibility and spontaneity to really enjoy your hiking road trip.

→ Tip: Hiking Holiday Destinations in Europe

→ Tip: Hiking Holiday Destinations in the USA 

Insider tip: Want to check out some hiking road trips in advance? Here are our tips for the best hiking holiday road trip routes in Europe. Please note that you require the roadsurfer spots app to view and save the routes for later:


VW camper with open rank and a

Germany

German Alpine Road

From Königssee to Lindau on Lake Constance, campsites with fantastic mountain views, lakes where you can cool off after a strenuous hike, and even a water skiing and wakeboarding facility await you.

girl on top of a campervan in a vineyard, enjoying a cup of coffee

France

Alsace

On this romantic route along the Alsatian wine route, the town of Colmar is your destination. You can enjoy pure tranquillity at campsites on the edge of the forest, on a farm, or spend the night next to two beautiful natural ponds.

Family with child walking through a forest and a Fiat Ducato campervan standing behind.

Italy

South Tyrol

On this route from Bressanone to Merano, one spectacular view follows the next. Hike in the breathtaking Dolomites and spend the evenings on an organic farm or at campsites with their own wellness area!

couple sitting on chairs at the beach in front of a camper

Spain

Andalusia

If you can’t decide between mountains and beach, this is the route for you! Visit Spain’s most beautiful cities around the Doñana National Park and stay overnight in an eco-village under the olive groves in the mountains.

Slovenia

Soča Valley

Hike along the emerald green Soča River between Bovec and Tolmin, and finish your tour in the Mediterranean town of Prian. Here you get a lot of variety with short distances and spend the night directly on the Soča shore!

blue campervan with pop up roof at the coast

Portugal

Portugal’s Green North

Porto, the colourful port city of Aveiro, Peniche and the Berlenga Islands are on this beautiful route through northern Portugal. Marvel at giant waves in Nazaré or take a donkey trek from your campsite!

2. Check The Weather

Check the weather regularly, even on the morning of your hike. Whether in the mountains or on coastal hiking trails, a sudden storm or a downpour lasting several days can put an abrupt end to your hiking road trip. When that happens, it’s time to move on to warmer, drier, sunnier parts of the country.

Did you know? You can also go on great hikes in winter! Camping in the winter is no problem, thanks to the auxiliary heating in your roadsurfer motorhome. In spring and summer the days are longer and sunnier, but the hiking trails become more crowded. Autumn is probably the most beautiful time for hiking. But that’s also when changeable weather can make the hiking road trip a bit difficult, so it’s best to be prepared for any weather with plenty of layers and appropriate equipment.

mother baby and dog on a hike, mountains in the background

3. Sticking & Working Together

Every hiking group is only as fast as its most comfortable hiker. Stay together when hiking. Choose hiking routes that are fun for everyone. This can be challenging, especially in larger groups or on a family hiking holiday. But to make the hiking road trip a success, be sure to hike and camp as a team.

4. Pack Layers

Sure, the storage space in the motorhome is limited which can make packing for a hiking road trip with a campervan a little more difficult. But it is important to be prepared for all conditions and weather changes. Remember to bring a change of clothes after a strenuous, sweaty hike, as well as wind and waterproof clothing, warm clothing for nights in the motorhome (a hot water bottle is great for sore muscles) and, if necessary, different hiking boots, depending on the conditions.

→ Tip: Packing list for your hiking holiday

man walking up a steep mountain

5. Sweating is Healthy

Hiking is a brilliant way to stay fit, usually involves breathtaking views and lots of fresh air, and it’s strenuous. Expect your clothes to get sweaty quickly, and you’ll need a change of clothes on your hike. It is worth packing a washing line to dry your clothes in the fresh air after your hike.

A campervan or motorhome with a built-in shower is worth its weight in gold on a hiking road trip. If you don’t have one in your camper, you can stay at campsites or pitches with showers or that have washing machine facilities. Alternatively, you can book a day pass at a gym or day spa to relax and recover after a sweaty hike.

6. Pack Enough Snacks & Drinks

The number one rule of a hike is preparing snacks and drinks, even on a walking holiday with coastal trails or wide, flat hiking routes. Stock up on enough snacks that provide energy and can be easily stored in the campervan. Always have enough water with you. If you are hiking in the summer, pack an extra bottle of water, even if it means carrying more weight in your backpack.

7. Schedule Break Days

Whether your road trip with a motorhome lasts two weeks or is a long weekend, you need breaks. Your motivation may be high, and your planning may be perfect, but your body will not appreciate it if you don’t give it a break. Depending on the intensity of the hiking routes and your fitness level, you should take a break after two days, or at the latest after four days. Then it’s time to put your tired feet up and enjoy the camping lifestyle in your campervan.

blue relax sign in front of a pool

Insider Tip: Treat Yourself to Spa Day

Turn your rest day into a spa day. Use the day to go to the sauna or book a massage in a nearby town. If you prefer to stay completely in nature during your hiking road trip with motorhome, park near a lake or on the beach and spend the day relaxing in the sun (or shade) with lots of good food.

Find the Perfect Camper For Your Hiking Road Trip

Campervan

Surfer Suite

VW T6.1 California Ocean

  • 4 seats
  • 4 berth
  • Integrated kitchenette
  • Outdoor shower (cold)
  • Automatic pop-up roof

Campervan

Beach Hostel

VW T6.1 California Beach

  • 5 seats
  • 4+1 berth
  • Extendable kitchen unit
  • Manual pop-up roof

Campervan

Travel Home

Mercedes Marco Polo

  • 4 seats
  • 4 berth
  • Integrated kitchenette
  • Outdoor shower (cold)
  • Manual pop-up roof

Campervan

Camper Cabin

Ford Nugget

  • 5 seats
  • 4+1 berth
  • Integrated kitchenette
  • Outdoor shower (cold)
  • Manual pop-up roof

Campervan

Camper Cabin Deluxe

Ford Nugget Plus

  • 5 seats
  • 4+1 berth
  • Integrated kitchenette
  • Toilet
  • Outdoor shower (cold)
  • Manual pop-up roof

Sprinter-type campervan

Road House

Various manufacturers

  • 4 seats
  • 4 berth
  • Spacious kitchen area
  • Wet room with shower & toilet
  • Hot water
  • Manual pop-up roof

Save 10% On Your Camping Spots With the Campfire Card

Save 10% on all your campsite and pitch bookings via roadsurfer spots app or online all year round with the campfire card for a one-time payment of €14.99. Use your campfire card for your own trips or gift someone a new adventure!

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roadsurfer spots campfire card, 10% discount on campsites