5 years. 1 path. Countless stories.
It was just a dream! But sometimes dreams do come true.
It was April 20, 2020 at exactly 9:04 a.m. when the very first steps were taken on the Nord-Süd-Trail. Hard to believe – is our beloved NST really already five years old?
Who would have thought that a spontaneous idea would grow into such a meaningful and inspiring project? Certainly not us. At the very beginning, some dismissed it as nothing more than a crazy whim or even a “one-man show.” And yet, within the outdoor community, the vision of a national long-distance hiking trail in Germany began to flourish.
Since no established hiking association was willing to take on the relatively new concept of thru-hiking, it needed the initiative of one private individual to set the whole thing in motion.
Looking back, the decision to document the first thru-hike virtually through the social app „Find Penguins“ turned out to be a stroke of genius. 2020 was the year of the first COVID lockdown. While everyone was stuck at home, longing for freedom, one hiker set out to walk across the entire length of Germany. It’s no coincidence that hiking and long-distance trekking have been booming here ever since. Still, at that time, the future was uncertain: Would there be other thru-hikers after the first year? How would traditional hiking clubs react to such a new project? So many open questions.
From the start, the NST was meant to carry the look and feel of the great American long-distance trails. The inspiration is obvious, even in the choice of words. But the Nord-Süd-Trail never became just a copy. Why not? Because hiking in Germany is fundamentally different. It’s less about untouched wilderness and isolation, and more about culture, history, and encounters along the way.The NST, therefore, is not a “German Appalachian Trail” or a “PCT.” It is something unique: Germany’s very own thru-hiking trail.
So important, the crucial first year
From the very beginning, one thing was clear: if you want to inspire people and win them over for an idea like this, you need first-class film documentation. And judging by 99% of the comments we’ve received, that’s exactly what we managed to achieve.
Still today, many traditional hiking associations underestimate how crucial social media and professional communication have become. With an outdated, half-hearted website, you simply don’t inspire anyone anymore.
Then came the moment that would shape the future of the NST: the very first registration for a thru-hike in 2021. Although Franzi wasn’t able to finish her attempt—partly due to an early start and the strict COVID restrictions at the time—we owe her a lot of gratitude. For us, she will always remain special. Her effort was a sign, a message: this trail is alive, and it will continue.
Over time, more and more registrations followed, proving that the fear of the NST fading into obscurity was unfounded. And yet, back then, the project was still fragile, still just a dream. Even Soulboy, the initiator, didn’t really believe the NST would ever be officially marked and recognized.
It was obvious: no one can manage such a large-scale project alone. The spark that truly set things in motion was the founding of the Initiative Nord Süd Trail. Dedicated people like Peter (“Hobble”), Anne (“Monarchfalter”), Patrick (“Shoeless Joe”), Sabrina (“Hotpan”), Frank (“Freestyla”), Markus (“Fernwanderer”), Björn (“Refill”), Andreas (“Düsselsieg”), Penny, Robin, Jens (“Dr. Action”), and Stephanie started reaching out to authorities, hiking clubs, and local municipalities to gain official permission for trail signage.
What was achieved in such a short time is almost beyond words. Anyone who has dealt with public authorities knows: doors don’t exactly swing open for projects like these. There are countless obstacles to overcome. But we didn’t give up. And as the saying goes:
„Constant dripping wears away the stone.“
Five years filled with passion, love, encounters, euphoria, setbacks, and hope.
Every single second we’ve spent working on this project has been worth it. The countless hours of dedication can no longer be measured.
We are grateful and proud that this project will forever remain a non-profit experience. It was never about marketing, commercial success, or ego. This trail belongs to you – and only you keep it alive.
Whether you hike it yourself, support hikers as a Trail Angel contribute to signage through crowdfunding, take on a section as a trail steward, or simply cheer for the project – you are the trail!
All the love in the world to you – North South Trail 2025 Initiative
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