What to buy for a Nordic walking tour

A Nordic walking tour needs more than walking poles. You also need clear route marking, visible guides, a simple registration point and supplies for refreshments at the finish. Buy or prepare equipment according to your participant count, then add a small buffer for breakages, late arrivals and changing weather. This list focuses on the items that are easy to overlook, especially safety equipment, printed route information and hot drinks for the return.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 50
Coat racksqty 2

Sports equipment

Nordic walking polesqty 8
Reflective vestsqty 12
Route signsqty 20
Directional signsqty 30
Traffic conesqty 20
Route mapsqty 50
First aid kitqty 2

Equipment

Portable speaker
Megaphone
Extension cordsqty 3
Power banksqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 60
Coffee mugsqty 50
Soup bowlsqty 50
Platesqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving traysqty 6

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 6
Water dispensersqty 3
Coolersqty 4
Soup kettlesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4

Decorations

Start/finish banner
Tableclothsqty 6

Lighting

LED work lightsqty 6
Battery lanternsqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Broom setsqty 2
Mop setsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Flat mineral water - 48 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Assorted tea - 80 bags
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Lactose-free milk - 2 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Mints - 1 box
- White rolls - 40 pieces
- Whole wheat rolls - 60 pieces
- Gluten-free rolls - 8 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Cheese slices - 2.5 kilograms
- Cooked ham - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 1.5 kilograms
- Vegan spreads - 2 tubs
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Tomato soup - 8 liters
- Vegetable soup - 8 liters
- Soup croutons - 3 bags
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Muesli bars - 50 pieces
- Raisin cakes - 4 packs
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 3 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Tips

Plan one pair of Nordic walking poles per participant, plus a few spare pairs for damaged equipment or people who arrive without poles. Check pole lengths before the tour rather than sorting them at the start.
Use reflective vests for route guides and prepare route signs, directional signs and traffic cones before the day. Walk the route once in advance to confirm that signs are visible at junctions and can be removed afterward.
For the start and finish area, allow one registration table, printed participant lists and route maps. Keep pens, spare maps and a contact list at the table; these small supplies are often forgotten until registration opens.
For a group returning at the same time, provide hot drinks in thermos flasks and enough reusable cups or coffee mugs for one serving per person, plus about 10% extra. Soup kettles, bowls, plates and cutlery should be set out before the first walkers finish.
If the tour may run in low light, pack LED work lights or battery lanterns and fully charge power banks, the portable speaker and megaphone. Bring extension cords only where a safe power source is available, and keep the first aid kit with the route lead.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a Nordic walking tour?: For each participant, plan one pair of Nordic walking poles and add a few spare pairs. You also need route maps, visible route signs, reflective vests for guides, a first aid kit and communication equipment such as a megaphone or portable speaker.
How many cups do I need for a Nordic walking event?: Allow one reusable cup or coffee mug per participant for the first serving, plus around 10% extra. For 30 walkers, that means at least 33 cups, with additional mugs if you are serving both coffee and other hot drinks.
What should I buy for refreshments after Nordic walking?: For a post-walk serving, plan one bowl or plate and one cutlery set per person, plus 10% spare. Add thermos flasks for coffee or tea, soup kettles if you are serving soup, and coolers or water dispensers for drinks that need to stay cold.
How early should I prepare the route signs and safety equipment?: Inspect the route and check every sign at least one day before the tour. Pack the signs, traffic cones, reflective vests, route maps and first aid kit together so the setup team can place them without searching on the morning itself.

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