In September 2023, I experienced my very first packrafting adventure in the Eifel region of Germany. Three days of hiking, paddling and mountain biking through a green landscape full of forests, hills and water.
We from Reishonger joined Packraft Travel to discover what a packraft trail actually looks like in practice. The result? An adventure that turned out to be much more diverse and exciting than we expected.
One of the best things about packrafting is the variety.
During our trail in the Eifel we hiked through forests, paddled across the large Rursee lake and covered part of the route by mountain bike.
Because of this mix, every day feels different. You explore the landscape in multiple ways and never get bored.
1. You experience multiple adventures in one trip
One of the best things about packrafting is the variety.
During our trail in the Eifel we hiked through forests, paddled across the large Rursee lake and covered part of the route by mountain bike.
Because of this mix, every day feels different. You explore the landscape in multiple ways and never get bored.
2. You reach places few people visit
With a normal hiking trip you usually stay on the trails. Packrafting allows you to go further.
You follow rivers, lakes and valleys and reach places that are often difficult to access otherwise. Sometimes you land on a small beach along the river, sometimes you discover a hidden bay along the shoreline.
That sense of exploration is exactly what makes packrafting so special.
3. You don’t need previous experience
Before we started, we wondered whether you needed kayaking experience to go packrafting.
The answer turned out to be simple: you don’t.
Packrafts are very stable and easy to control. After a short introduction you can already paddle confidently on the water.
This makes packrafting accessible even if you’ve never paddled before.
4. You are completely surrounded by nature
One thing that really stood out during our packraft trail was how close you are to nature.
You hear the water flowing alongside your packraft, see birds flying over the lake and paddle past forested hills.
Especially during quiet moments, when there are hardly any other people around, it feels like you have the whole landscape to yourself.
5. Everything fits in your backpack
A packraft is surprisingly compact. When packed, it easily fits inside a backpack.
This means you don’t have to transport a heavy canoe or kayak. Once you reach the water, you simply inflate the packraft and continue your journey.
That flexibility is what makes packrafting such a unique way to explore the outdoors.
6. It’s active but still very enjoyable
Packraft trails are active adventures, but the pace is usually comfortable.
You alternate between hiking, paddling and breaks. This makes the experience feel more like an adventurous journey than a physically exhausting expedition.
If you enjoy being outdoors and staying active, packrafting is very manageable.
7. The sense of adventure stays with you
Perhaps the best part of packrafting is the feeling of adventure.
You never know exactly what lies around the next corner: a scenic viewpoint, a calm stretch of water or a beautiful spot where you can take a break.
That constant sense of discovery is what makes packrafting so addictive.
Want to try packrafting yourself?
After our first packrafting adventure we completely understood why this outdoor activity is becoming more popular every year.
It combines adventure, nature and active travel in a unique way.
If you want to experience hiking and paddling during one journey, you can join one of the packraft trails organized by Packraft Travel in destinations such as Germany,
Luxembourg,
Austria and
France.
Chances are high that after your first packrafting adventure, you’ll want to do it again.
