How to Train and Prepare for Your Hut-to-Hut Trek

Sierd van der Bij

13 Aug 2025

How to Train and Prepare for Your Hut-to-Hut Trek

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Quick personal advice

You do not get fit on the trail. You take the fitness you already have and spend it, one climb, one descent, one long day at a time. If you run out halfway through, there is no quick top up, no shortcut to the hut. I have seen people set off with excitement in their eyes and a pack full of new gear, only to watch that excitement fade by the second afternoon when every step feels like work. It is not the mountains being unkind. It is simply that their legs, lungs and head were not ready for what they asked of them.

Safe hiking starts long before you tie your boots. The trail is only the test. The real work happens weeks or months before, in the small, steady efforts that build the stamina, strength and technique you will need. If you prepare well for a hut-to-hut trek, you give yourself more than just a better chance of finishing. You give yourself the freedom to look up, take in the view and enjoy where you are, instead of counting down the kilometres until it is over.

Hut-to-Hut Trek? Build Endurance Early

If you want to enjoy your hike instead of just surviving it, start building your endurance well before you head to the mountains. Cardio training like running, cycling or swimming makes your heart and lungs work more efficiently, and that pays off when you are climbing towards a hut high in the Alps. Aim for three to four sessions a week. They do not have to be long, but they should be consistent. The goal is to keep moving for hours without feeling drained, not to set a personal best.

Think about the demands of your route. A multi-day hut-to-hut trek means back-to-back long days, so train your body to handle sustained effort. Gradually increase the time you spend on your workouts and mix in hills or stair climbs to mimic the terrain. The fitter you are, the more you can focus on the views and the experience instead of the burning in your legs.

Train Like You’ll Hike

The best way to prepare for a hike is to train in conditions that are as close as possible to the real thing. That means getting outside on varied terrain, carrying a loaded backpack, and walking for several hours at a time. If you are heading for a hut-to-hut trek in France or a hut-to-hut trek in Switzerland, try to find local trails that let you climb and descend steadily, just as you will on your trek. If you live in a low-lying country like the Netherlands, simulate the challenge by at least matching — or even exceeding — the daily distances you will cover in the mountains. Seek out any local hills you can find, or use a stairwell or a stair machine at the gym to mimic elevation gain.

Plan at least one or two weekends where you hike with all the gear you will take on your trek. This is when you find out if your boots cause blisters after a few hours or if your pack needs adjusting. It is also a good way to learn how your body handles back-to-back long days. Training like this builds not only your muscles and endurance, but also your confidence for the trail ahead.

Get Used To Your Gear

Your gear should feel like it belongs to you, not like you borrowed it that morning. Boots need to know your feet, your pack needs to sit right on your back, and your clothing should work together without you thinking about it. If you are heading for a hut-to-hut trek in Austria or a hut-to-hut trek in Slovenia, you will spend hours climbing, descending and moving through all kinds of weather. This is no place to find out that your straps rub or your waterproof is not actually waterproof.

Take the time to get everything dialled in. Adjust the straps, test the pockets, figure out where you keep your snacks so you do not have to unpack half your bag for a handful of nuts. Small changes now can save you a lot of frustration later. When your gear feels right, it stops being something you notice, and that is exactly how it should be.

Hiking Technique Matters

Good hiking is not just about strong legs. How you move makes a big difference to how far you can go and how you feel when you get there. Keep your posture upright but relaxed, let your arms swing naturally, and find a pace you can hold without gasping for air. Short, steady steps often work better than long, lunging ones, especially on climbs. If you are on a rocky path in the Dolomites or any other mountain range, careful foot placement will save you energy and keep you safer.

Trekking poles are worth their weight. They give you stability, help with balance, and take some pressure off your knees on descents. Plant them in rhythm with your steps and they become almost like an extra set of limbs. On steep or loose ground, they can be the difference between a confident stride and a shaky one. Mastering your technique is not about looking like a pro, it is about making your hike feel easier and keeping yourself out of trouble. Some more hiking tips in the below video.

Strength and Mobility

Strong legs will get you up the hill, but strength alone is not enough. You also need stability and the ability to move freely. Squats, lunges and step-ups build the power you will use on every climb, while core exercises like planks and side planks help you stay balanced with a loaded pack. Mobility work — stretching, yoga, or just taking time to move your joints through a full range of motion — keeps your body from tightening up after long days.

You do not need a gym full of equipment. A sturdy bench, a set of stairs, or a hill near home can be all you need for leg strength. Ten minutes of stretching in the evening can make the next day’s hike feel completely different. The aim is not to bulk up, but to make sure your muscles, joints and balance are ready for the variety of movement that a hut-to-hut trek will throw at you. If you are short on time, our 4-week training plan for hut-to-hut hiking is a great way to cover the essentials and arrive at the trailhead ready to go. Disclaimer: We are no personal trainers. We just love mountains.

Practice Recovery

Training is what makes you stronger, but recovery is what lets that strength stick. Rest days are not wasted days. They give your legs, lungs and head a chance to reset so you can train again without digging yourself into a hole. Stretch after every workout, get enough sleep, and eat properly. A good hike is not just built on miles and climbs, it is also built on the quiet days in between.

Recovery also means making sure you can switch off when the hiking day is done. Dry socks, a warm layer, and something comfortable on your feet in the hut all help you feel ready for the next morning. If you are not sure what will make those evenings better, check our hut-to-hut hiking packing list and get your gear sorted before you leave. Small comforts are not luxuries on a multi-day trek. They are the little things that keep you going.

Final Prep Before Your Hut-to-Hut Hike

The last week before your trek is not the time to squeeze in one more big training session. Ease off, let your body recover fully, and arrive at the trailhead with energy to spare. Check all your gear one last time, break in anything that is still new, and make sure your pack is organised. This is also when you look over your route and get familiar with the stages, hut locations, and daily distances. A clear head and a light step on day one will set the tone for the whole trek.

Mental preparation matters too. Picture the climbs, the long descents, and the moments when you will be tired but still have ground to cover. Knowing that those moments will come — and that you are ready for them — makes it easier to push through. A hut-to-hut trek is as much about patience as it is about fitness.

Good training is the best safety gear you can bring to the mountains. Build your endurance, train like you will hike, fine-tune your gear, and look after your body between sessions. When the start day comes, you will have more than just the strength to get from hut to hut. You will have the confidence to take your time, enjoy the view, and know you have prepared for whatever the trail throws at you. That is the difference between just finishing and truly experiencing your trek.

Where Do I Book My Hut-To-Hut Hiking Tour?

At Bookatrekking.com you can book self-guided hut tours. We arrange the mountain huts and other accommodation for you and make sure you receive all relevant information well in advance. If you have any questions about our hut tours or tours in general, contact our trekking experts. They will be happy to help you!

Want to read more about hut-to-hut-hiking? Then check out one of our next blog posts:

Austria

Switzerland

Slovenia

Julian Alps with Triglav

Italy

France

Spain

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