There’s a kind of beauty that only reveals itself when you slow down. It’s not the easy kind you find in a quick escape, but something subtler: the wonder of noticing every detail, feeling every shift in the air, hearing every sound nature offers to those who take the time to listen. It’s the magic of backpacking — one of the purest, most essential forms of travel. A slow journey, sure, but one that often leads exactly where you need it most: deep inside yourself. All you have to do is welcome it.
If you’re thinking that backpacking for days is only for hardcore trekkers or iron-calved hermits, relax. Planning your first trip is way easier — and infinitely more rewarding — than you might think.
Choosing your destination: let your heart (and legs) lead the way
Let’s start with the most important thing: where you’re going. You don’t need to climb the Himalayas or cross burning deserts (unless that’s what calls you, of course). There are routes perfect for every level: from the Via degli Dei between Bologna and Florence, to the shorter version of the Camino de Santiago (like the Camino Portugués), to lesser-known gems like the endless Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara in Sardinia (we’ve recommended and will keep recommending more in some episodes of Il Lungo).
The golden rule? Pick a route that truly fascinates you. For its landscape, its culture, or the stories it tells. Every step feels lighter when curiosity is what’s moving you forward. Of course, make sure you match it with the time you have, your fitness level, and the season you’ll be traveling.
Gear up: be a minimalist, not a fool
There’s one truth you learn fast once you start walking long distances: the lighter your load, the happier you’ll be. But don’t confuse minimalism with being unprepared.
You’ll want a lightweight backpack (never more than 10–12% of your body weight), well-broken-in shoes, technical and breathable clothing, a trusty water bottle, good sunscreen, and a solid rain jacket. Plus a few small but vital extras: a power bank, blister patches (because yes, blisters happen), and either a pocket guide or an offline navigation app. Not much more. Every item needs to earn its place on your back.
In short, let go of the unnecessary. Trust what you carry inside.
Walk (and live) one day at a time
At first, you might feel like planning every minute: what time to start, how many kilometers to cover, where to sleep. Having a rough plan is great — but leave space for the unexpected, for the encounters, for the extra-long stop when a view steals your breath away.
The ideal daily distance? Somewhere between 15 and 25 kilometers, depending on your fitness. And remember: backpacking isn’t a race. It’s a different way of being in the world. Learn to listen to your body, welcome the effort as part of the journey, and give yourself breaks without any guilt.
Fatigue: your companion on the road
I won’t lie: there will be hard days. When your legs hurt, when the sun beats down, when rain soaks you to the bone. But that’s exactly when something real starts to happen.
In the repetitive act of walking, you find a kind of natural meditation. Like Haruki Murakami wrote in What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, it’s through repetition and effort that you discover a part of yourself that’s stronger and more authentic than you ever knew.
And one day — without even noticing — you’ll find yourself smiling as the world flows around you, slow, beautifully imperfect, and real.
More than a trip: a transformation
In the end, you’ll realize that the journey didn’t just take you from point A to point B. It changed you. It taught you to trust your legs, your mind, and your heart. To believe you can do it, even when you’re tired. That often, the most beautiful things aren’t the easiest.
In a world that measures everything by speed and results, choosing to slow down is a small, radical act. It’s like choosing a crackling vinyl over a flawless but soulless MP3. It’s choosing to truly live, one step at a time.