Fishermen’s Trail Packing List: What I Actually Carried (And What I Left Behind)

Packing for the Fishermen’s Trail is genuinely one of the more interesting challenges in long-distance hiking. You’re not in the mountains — no technical gear needed. But you’re covering 220km on exposed Atlantic cliffs and deep sand stages with almost no shade, limited water refills between villages, and salt in the air everywhere. Get the pack wrong and you’ll feel it by day three.

I did all 12 days carrying my own bag. Here’s what actually worked.

The Golden Rule: 30 Litres

If you’re carrying your own gear, a 30-litre backpack is the sweet spot. It forces you to pack only what you genuinely need. Anything bigger and you’ll start justifying things you don’t need. Anything smaller and you’ll be rationing water.

If you use a luggage transfer service — perfectly valid on this trail — you have more flexibility, but the discipline still pays off. You carry a daypack between stages, so keep that light regardless.

Clothing: The 3-Day Principle

Pack for roughly 3 days and wash in the evenings. It sounds minimal but it works — most guesthouses have a line or a small laundry option, and hand-washing merino wool shirts takes two minutes and dries overnight.

• Merino wool shirts — they stay fresh longer than synthetic, which matters on a 12-day trip
• Lightweight trail runners — breathable is more important than waterproof here. The sand gets in regardless.
• Lightweight gaiters — optional, but they help on the deep sand stages. Not a magic fix, just a slight improvement.
• Evening comfort — a lightweight set of clothes and flip-flops or sandals for after the stage. Your feet need to breathe.
• Sun protection — wide-brimmed hat and polarised sunglasses. Non-negotiable. There is almost no shade on the cliffs and the reflection off white sand and ocean is relentless.

The Pro-Hiker Kit

These are the things that separate a comfortable trip from a painful one.

Kinesiology tape / climbing tape — this is the single most important thing in my pack. Not standard blister plasters. Climbing tape adheres to sweaty skin and is ideal for pre-taping hot spots before trouble starts. The golden rule: never wait for a blister to form. If you feel even the slightest friction, stop and tape it immediately. Two minutes now saves an hour of pain later.

Trekking poles — I personally hike without poles and did the entire trail that way. That said, I’d recommend them if you’re not used to going without. They provide real stability on the sandy dune sections and save your knees on the descents. If you’ve never done a long-distance trail without them, bring them.

Energy boosters — gummy bears or energy bars in your hip pocket. When the sand gets deep and morale dips, a sugar hit makes a genuine difference. Sounds trivial, isn’t.

Swimwear and a quick-dry travel towel — you’re hiking the Atlantic coast. There will be moments when the only right thing to do is go in.

The Essentials

• Water: 2–3 litres minimum — refill points between villages are rare. Don’t underestimate this.
• Sunscreen: more than you think — the reflection off white sand and ocean amplifies everything. Reapply constantly.
• Power bank — a lightweight one. Navigation, photos, and communication all drain your phone faster than expected on long stages.
• Dry bags — protect your electronics and documents from salt air and sand. Both are relentless on this trail.
• Travel-sized laundry detergent — for the evening wash cycle that keeps your pack light.
• Basic first aid — tape, tweezers, any personal medication. Don’t rely on finding a pharmacy between stages.
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What I Left Behind (And Didn’t Miss)

No poles — managed fine, but I’m used to going without. If you’re not, don’t skip them.

No waterproof jacket — I hiked in spring and the weather held. In autumn or winter this changes completely. Check your dates and pack accordingly.

No camp equipment — wild camping is not permitted in the Natural Park. You’re staying in guesthouses every night, so leave the tent at home.

The Honest Summary

The Fishermen’s Trail rewards light packers. Every gram you save on day one you’ll appreciate on day eight when the sand is deep and the next village feels far away. Get the footwear right, tape early, carry enough water, and don’t underestimate the sun. Everything else is details.

My full 12-day guide covers all stages, accommodation picks, and logistics in detail — including the stretches where water and food are genuinely hard to find.