What to bring for a winter hike

A winter hike needs more than route signs and warm clothing. Plan supplies for the start and finish area, where hikers may need hot coffee, tea or soup after walking in the cold. This shopping list covers serving equipment, power, lighting and bike support, including items that are easy to forget until setup day. Adjust quantities to your registration list, route length and the facilities available at the starting location and rest area.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 30
High tablesqty 4
Tablecloth coversqty 8
Bicycle Racksqty 12

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 100
Platesqty 100
Soup bowlsqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 6

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 8
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Soup kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Serving plattersqty 12

Equipment

Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Mobile chargersqty 4
Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Bike pumpqty 3
Tire leversqty 6
Multi-toolsqty 4
Spare inner tubesqty 20
Battery lampsqty 12
Power banksqty 6

Sports equipment

Conesqty 20
Directional signsqty 60
Arrow stickersqty 150
Bib numbersqty 120
Reflective vestsqty 20
Bike flagsqty 8
Ratchet strapsqty 12
First aid kitsqty 3
Emergency blanketsqty 20
Start and finish arch

Decorations

Winter flagsqty 20
Table décorqty 12

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 8
LED lampsqty 10
Battery lanternsqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Bucketsqty 4
Washing-up tubsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 kilos
- Tea - 200 bags
- Hot chocolate - 12 liters
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 200 pieces
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 10 bottles
- Still mineral water - 20 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Sports drink - 12 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Alcohol-free wine - 4 bottles
- Mulled wine - 12 liters
- Cinnamon sticks - 30 pieces
- Star anise - 2 bags
- Oranges - 10 pieces
- Vegetable soup - 12 liters
- Tomato soup - 8 liters
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 10 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Bar snacks - 6 kilos
- Muesli bars - 150 pieces
- Bananas - 120 pieces
- Apples - 100 pieces
- Mandarins - 100 pieces
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Pepper - 250 gram
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Tips

Plan two reusable cups per participant if people will drink at both the rest area and finish. Add at least 10% extra cups, plates and cutlery for volunteers, damage and last-minute registrations.
For a group of 20 hikers, prepare roughly 40 hot-drink servings for the first stop and finish combined. Check the capacity of your thermos flasks, coffee machines, kettles and soup kettles before shopping.
Do not leave lighting and charging until the day before. Count one mobile charger or power bank per key coordinator, and test every battery-powered lamp at least 48 hours before the hike.
If participants arrive by bicycle, check the bike racks and bring one pump, a set of tyre levers, a multi-tool and spare inner tubes in the support vehicle or trailer. These items help with common roadside problems without delaying the group.
Buy or reserve disposable essentials only after collecting dietary requirements and confirming the rest-area setup. Allow at least 7 days to replace missing soup, coffee, serving utensils or table coverings before the event.

Frequently asked questions

How much coffee and soup do I need for a winter hike?: For 20 hikers, start with about 40 hot-drink servings across the rest area and finish. Add 10% extra if the hike lasts several hours or the weather forecast is cold.
What equipment do I need for a winter hike rest area?: Plan tables, chairs or high tables, reusable cups, coffee cups, plates, soup bowls, cutlery and serving spoons. Check the rest-area facilities at least 7 days beforehand so you know whether you also need coffee machines, kettles, thermos flasks or soup kettles.
How many power banks and lamps should I bring on a winter hike?: Bring one power bank or mobile charger for each key coordinator, plus at least two spare power banks for a small event. Test rechargeable lamps 48 hours before departure and charge them again on the morning of the hike.
What bike repair supplies should I take on a winter hike?: For a group using bicycles, take at least one bicycle pump, one pair of tyre levers, one multi-tool and two spare inner tubes. Put them in the support vehicle or trailer and check them 24 hours before the hike.

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