Jack Wolfskin launches the Wolf Trail
Europe’s Thru-Hiking Adventure from the Baltic Sea to the Adriatic
Covering 3,493 kilometers across six countries, the outdoor brand invites people to hike across Europe on foot.
Jack Wolfskin presents the Wolf Trail: a 3,493-kilometer thru-hiking route that leads through six countries—Poland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, and Italy—all the way to Trieste on the Adriatic coast. With the Wolf Trail, Jack Wolfskin is not only creating a new European long-distance hiking route – it is also a key element of the brand’s strategy to firmly and credibly establish long-distance hiking as a holistic experience.
Jason Isenberg, Director of Marketing: “The Wolf Trail is not only set to become one of the most well-known long-distance hiking routes in the world, but it is also suitable for people with a moderate fitness level. Our mission is to support hikers with a wide variety of route plans – from day hikes to 3,000–4,000 kilometer journeys – and the Wolf Trail enables us to do exactly that. The feedback we receive from hikers on the trail flows directly into future product development, allowing us to continuously improve our support.”
Thru-Hiking: An Adventure for Everyone
The Wolf Trail is open to all: from beginners looking to gain their first long-distance hiking experience to experienced thru-hikers who want to cross Europe on foot in four to six months.
Thru-hiking describes completing a defined long-distance trail from its official starting point to its endpoint in one continuous journey. The focus is not on speed or daily performance, but on consistency, mindfulness, and endurance. You commit to the route and keep moving day after day until your (individually defined) goal is reached. Well-known thru-hiking routes include the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail.
The Wolf Trail connects existing European long-distance hiking routes – including E1, E9, and the Via Alpina – into one continuous route spanning approximately 3,493 kilometers across diverse landscapes and terrains. Nature is no longer just a backdrop but becomes an immersive experience: weather, terrain, daylight, and seasons set the pace. While physically demanding, thru-hiking is rarely extreme: strength, resilience, and routine develop along the way, and over time hikers discover their body’s adaptability, learning patience, flexibility, and perseverance.
Thru-hiking is not reserved for professionals – people without an athletic background have also successfully completed major long-distance trails. This is exactly where the Wolf Trail comes in, offering tailored opportunities for both beginners and ambitious long-distance hikers. The route is divided into seven independent sections – from the flat coastal start at the Baltic Sea to alpine passes at up to 3,000 meters – and can be explored flexibly: as a full thru-hike, in stages, or during one of the community events along the route. Those who complete the entire Wolf Trail will cover approximately 78,416 meters of elevation gain – equivalent to climbing Mount Everest ten times.
Community & Events
Throughout the year, Jack Wolfskin offers five long-distance hiking events along the Wolf Trail. These take place on the Polish Baltic coast (April 23–26), on Rügen (May 13–17), around Siegen (June 3–7), in the Black Forest (August 12–16), and in the Alps (September 7–13). Each event includes three to four days of hiking covering distances of 35–105 kilometers, at your own pace, independently or accompanied by experienced guides.
No prior experience or special equipment is required – only motivation and curiosity. Registration for the multi-day tours is available via the Wolf Trail landing page. The beginner-friendly concept also includes organized accommodation, catering, and an open basecamp event with sauna, hot tub, physiotherapy treatments, and a campfire evening on the final day, which does not require registration. The first two basecamp events taook place on April 25 near Łeba in Poland and on May 16 in Sassnitz on the harbor promenade on Rügen.
Partners
Ambassador hikers Timothy Larsen, Elina Osborne, Lauren Roerick, and German thru-hiker Marc Hügel will hike the entire route – from the Polish coast to the Adriatic – sharing their journey with the community through social media content and encounters at events along the trail.
The Wolf Trail is supported by strong brand partners who, together with Jack Wolfskin, aim to strengthen the thru-hiking movement in Europe: ASI Reisen, Ford, Clausthaler Alkoholfrei, Outdooractive, and Thru-hiking.com. Additional regional partners contribute to the implementation of the stage events, including Stadthafen Sassnitz and MV Tourismus GmbH.
For further information visit: https://www.jack-wolfskin.com/wolftrail/
