Maaike to the End
4 strategies for backpacking resupply in Europe

It's not ideal to carry too much heavy food on your trip. That’s why it’s crucial to plan ahead—figure out where you can buy supplies or resupply along the trail. Here are some resupply strategies I used.
Food prep Nordkalottleden

Europe offers a different resupply experience compared to the U.S., where hiker boxes and mailing packages are the norm. I’ve used four distinct strategies to restock along the trails.

1. Stores

  • Check how often you’ll pass stores and what they stock. Staples like couscous, pasta, noodles, instant soup, and oatmeal are widely available. In hot climates, carry fresh fruit, veggies, and cheese for maximum a couple of days. Outdoor shops in the Alps often sell freeze-dried meals and gas canisters.
  • Tip: Take small amounts of spices, sugar, and freeze-dried veggies with you to make simple meals more flavorful and avoid buying bulk food on the trail. Use zip-lock bags to repack food for easy packing.

2. Restaurants & mountain huts

  • Some trails offer huts where you can buy meals and also provide lunch packages. Check in advance as bookings are often required. Restaurant stop or café are maybe a welcoming break during lunch time. This option can help reduce your food load.

3. Mailing packages

  • First of all: can you send packages to resupply points along your trail? If mailing from outside the EU, beware of customs and taxes. Consider sending from your starting point instead. Check how long packages take to arrive.
  • Secondly, identify suitable locations, like post offices or hostels, along your route. Contact them beforehand to confirm and check details like maximum size, weight, fees, opening hours, receiving address and how long they’ll hold your package. Make your box stand out with a drawing or color and include your expected arrival date.
  • Bounce Box: A pricier option for one box with essentials like maps, chargers, and toiletries. You keep forwarding this box to your next town and only take out, what you need now.
Hiker buckets in the USA
Resupply package Nordkalottleden

4. Order online

  • Order food and maybe even gear from an online store like Amazone, Decathlon or local equivalent, which deliver locally. Do check their delivery time and how long they wil hold your package before returning.

Continue reading:

Curious about my overall meal strategy and packing tips? What my favourite trail menu is? Looking for ideas on grocery store backpacking food available in Europe? Check out my other articles! Read my other articles about hiker food on the trail:

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.

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Gear list
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Hiker food
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Camping pitch