Doing an 80-day camping trip across Europe – Looking for gear and camping tips!
Hey everyone!
This summer I'll be hiking the Via Francigena, a pilgrimage route that goes all the way from Canterbury (UK) to Rome (Italy) – around 2,000 km (1,200 mi) and I plan to camp as much as possible along the way.
I’ve done some long walks before (Camino de Santiago, crossed Taiwan on foot, etc.), but this is by far my longest and most challenging route. I’ll be on the road for around 80 days, walking through the UK, France, Switzerland, and Italy, mostly solo and with limited budget.
I’d love some advice from this amazing community on:
Camping gear: I’m looking for a solid yet lightweight tent, sleeping pad and sleeping bag that can handle different conditions (mountains, summer heat, possible rainstorms). Any recommendations?
Cooking setup: Should I bring a stove or rely on cold meals? Any ultra-light setups?
Wild camping advice: Especially in France, Switzerland and Italy. Is it tolerated? Any do’s and don’ts?
Anything else I should consider for a trip like this?
My goal is to keep it lightweight, budget-friendly, and safe.
Happy to hear any advice, gear suggestions or even weird tips that worked for you.