April 30, 2026, 12:56 pm | Read time: 7 minutes

A morning in early fall, the night has brought a noticeable chill to the land, the thermometer shows an outside temperature of 37 degrees Fahrenheit. Dreamily, I peel myself out of my sleeping bag, into damp clothes worn for days. This has been going on for almost two weeks now, every morning anew. A quick meal prepared on the camping stove, a tea, and then off again, walking all day, one foot in front of the other, the mantra of the hiker. Besides my steps, only the concert of birds in the treetops, the rustling of the wind, the babbling of a brook. And I am happy, completely with myself, absolutely free. The feeling I am describing right now, I only find on my beloved hikes. And only when I am alone.

I would certainly describe myself as a social person. In everyday life, I have many interests that require community. I regularly go to board game nights with my girlfriend, just as often make music with friends in a pub. In my favorite café just around the corner, I meet friends and new interesting people almost every day and generally maintain lively exchanges. But then there is also this other side of me that needs a lot of alone time, which I would by no means equate with loneliness. I am very good company for myself, never really bored solo due to my numerous hobbies. I draw my greatest strength from spending time in nature. And here, especially from long hikes all by myself.

A Hidden Treasure

Of course, there are numerous moments on such tours when I wish I could share them with a dear person. My girlfriend always hikes with me in spirit when we’re not already together. But I equally enjoy having these moments on hikes all to myself. Like a treasure I’ve found because nature deemed me worthy–that’s how I imagine it in my mind. Because I can walk at my own pace, don’t have to adjust to anyone, don’t have to look after anyone. And so, with all senses and a maximum of mindfulness, I repeatedly discover wonderful things.

I’ll be completely honest: I’m a classic Sturm und Drang character. Ecstatic one moment, deeply troubled the next–these extremes are sometimes just a blink or a few thoughts apart in my everyday life. What my hikes in nature give me is an inner center, a balance, a chance to simply be. But I find this nirvana-like state only when I’m out there all by myself. I don’t want to say directly that other people would disturb me. But perhaps you’ve also noticed how much more you actually pay attention to when you’re not talking to anyone, not looking at your phone, consciously engaging with moments.

Also interesting: The most beautiful multi-day tours in the Harz

Place of Inner Reflection

Hikes with as few distractions as possible have thus become one of the most important time-outs in my life. And believe me, I know what I’m talking about when I say you can actually talk nature to death. I regularly had this experience when I worked as a hiking guide in Berlin and Brandenburg for a few years. Already in the morning at the train station, on the way to the outdoors, I was met by a cheerfully chattering group of mostly older ladies, whose chatter didn’t stop all day long. Many of the excursions we undertook together, I had also done alone, but in the group, everything was suddenly different, more exhausting. Instead of healing silence, nice but ultimately trivial conversations, and the growing desire to finally be alone again.

It’s simply this: The whole magic of nature will only reveal itself to those who are out on their hikes with all senses sharpened. The most wonderful details that make a tour unforgettable are discovered only alone. Nature is for me a place of deep inner contemplation with myself, perhaps even a connection to our ancestors. How much comfort am I willing to give up? What distance can I cover today? Will there be enough water along the way? What experiences await me? When you boil life and our oh-so-hectic everyday life down to these questions, everything suddenly becomes very quiet. Only nature is able to find a healing answer to all life’s problems.

Also interesting: Two of the most beautiful hikes in the Black Forest

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Unlimited Thirst for Freedom

There is another reason why I undertake long hikes alone. I became and remained a freelancer mainly to be the master of my own time. However, sometimes I have an excess of it in everyday life. And I feel underchallenged by life, practically trapped in my very nice apartment. Then I know it’s time to disappear outside again for a few days. And here I like to push myself to the limits. There is hardly a more exhilarating feeling than realizing the power the mind has over the body, indeed, over our entire life. Actually being at the end of your strength, but still continuing to walk. Eventually letting yourself sink somewhere, inflating the sleeping mat, looking at the starry sky and thinking: Yes, today I lived.

And that’s exactly why I have to undertake long hikes alone. I don’t want to have to worry about whether my companion might have already exceeded their limit. Discussions about where to go and how to proceed would limit my thirst for freedom. Moreover, over the years, I’ve unfortunately also experienced that many people are not able or willing to admit their limits to themselves and others before nature. And these are situations where it can become really dangerous in the worst case. Where someone accidentally or out of exhaustion gets injured. I won’t name examples here, but I’ve experienced this several times in the past with friends.

Also interesting: Why the Allgäu is the perfect hiking region

Being Alone Is Peace of Mind

Perhaps you’ve also noticed on vacation that you act quite differently alone than you would with a partner or even in a group. Conversely, when you’re not alone, others sometimes perceive you as a closed unit. In my experience, this circumstance significantly limits the likelihood of extraordinary experiences. At least I am very happy to be alone on my hikes, but also much more open to random encounters. And often enough, these change an entire day’s plan. When you hear about an interesting place or a good inn during conversations, for example. Things you hadn’t even considered.

I am well aware that this type of nature enjoyment doesn’t appeal to everyone. Fortunately, otherwise the forest would be full of eccentrics like me. Nevertheless, I would recommend everyone to consciously and as distraction-free as possible embark on the adventure of being alone outdoors. What I find on my hikes is a peace of mind that the city and my everyday life cannot give me. Just looking at a map and imagining a future tour makes me happy. Just as much as remembering past excursions. Because in my heart, I can always return to these places and feelings. These will be the moments that will hopefully give me the feeling one day that I have truly lived my life.