Home - Maaike to the End

Hi! I’m Maaike from the Netherlands. In recent years, I’ve fallen in love with adventurous, long-distance hiking. I’ve tackled trails like the John Muir Trail, 340 km (2022), Grand Traversee des Alpes in France 620 km (2021 & 2023), and Nordkalottleden in Scandinavia 750 km (2024). Right now, I’m recovering from a serious injury, and while I’m unsure when I’ll hit the trails again, I’m staying positive and focusing on my recovery. Exploring Europe’s beautiful landscapes with my tent is still my dream, and I’m here to share inspiration, tips, and advice to help you plan your own hiking adventures!

Website is under construction (April 2025)

Prepare for your trail

Are you preparing for your first long distance trail or want to tackle a lesser-known
European thru-hike with limited hiker facilities? I’ve got you covered with blogs about
my personal hiking gear essentials, my favourite (vegetarian) trail meals and different
resupply strategies I used. I also share tips on finding and selecting wild
camping spots, setting up your tent in different conditions and leave no trace
principle.

Gear list

Hiker food

Camping pitch

e-Guidebook
7 steps to prepare to hike ...

I’m creating step-by-step eGuides for two breathtaking long-distance hikes: the Nordkalottleden in Scandinavia and the Grande Traversée des Alpes (GTA) in France.

The Nordkalottleden guide is now available—a practical, lightweight eBook designed to help you prepare in 7 clear steps. From wild camping tips and free hut options to transport, resupply strategies, and gear lists, it has everything you need. The final chapter offers a detailed overview of the trail, perfect for both first-timers and experienced hikers.

A guide for the GTA is currently in the works, but you can already send a request if you're planning your hike. As with the Nordkalottleden, it will include the essentials: wild camping spots, transport details, hut options, food planning, and more.

Explore the interactive maps—with all huts, resupply points, and key facilities marked—to start planning your route efficiently. Especially handy for GTA planning on the go!

Trail stories

I share stories about the people I meet on the trail, the challenges I faced, and the unique trail cultures I experience along the way. It's a personal blog about my solo adventures on long-distance hikes like the John Muir Trail (USA), Grans Traversee des Alpes (FR), and Nordkalottleden (N,S,F), as well as shorter treks on trails like the South West Coast Path (GB), Eifelsteig (G), Kustpad (NL), Pieterpad (NL), and Dutch Mountain Trail (NL).

The Nordkalottleden (Scandinavia, 750 km) offers pure wilderness in Europe, very remote, rugged, and breathtaking. Perfect for those craving solitude and untamed landscapes.

The South West Coast Path (England, 1014 km) is a coastal gem with rugged cliffs, sandy coves, and charming villages.

The GTA (France, 640 km) blends adventure and comfort, with stunning Alps, local treats, and an ideal intro to long-distance hiking.

The John Muir Trail (USA, 340 km) is pure wilderness bliss, with high mountains, breathtaking Sierra views and challenging terrain. Great introduction to the US backpacking community.

Maaike to the End