There are few hiking experiences as enjoyable as a trailside picnic on a beautiful sunny day. Spreading out your bandana in a rolling meadow, surrounded by jagged mountain peaks, and arranging a charcuterie spread of delectable meats, mouth-watering cheeses, fresh veggies and baked breads alongside fruits, nuts and chocolate is just so quintessentially European you can’t help but smile! A little planning goes a long way toward turning an ordinary lunch break into a memorable part of your adventure. Below are a few tips to help you assemble the perfect trailside picnic.
Embrace Local Culinary Delights
One of the best parts of hiking is wandering through the local markets and bakeries before heading out for the day. It’s hard to resist a loaf of warm bread fresh from the oven or a cheese you’ve never heard of before.
Rather than buying everything in one place, make a few stops if you have time. Pick up cheese and cured meats from one shop, fruit from another, and fresh bread from the bakery. Every region has its own specialties. In the Dolomites, look for speck and Puzzone di Moena. In Portugal, try the local cheeses, olives, and fresh fruit. Half the fun is discovering something you weren’t planning to buy.
A simple picnic made with local ingredients often ends up being one of the best meals of the trip.
Lunch with a View
Where’s the best place to spread out your picnic? We like an alpine meadow filled with wildflowers, the shore of a mountain lake, or a scenic overlook with views that stretch for miles. It can be tempting to stop as soon as you’re hungry, but we’ve found it’s often worth hiking just a little farther. Sometimes the best picnic spot is just around the next bend and honestly, it often comes with a view no restaurant can match.
Remember to leave no trace after your picnic and clean up thoroughly, including scraps and trash. Pack out anything leftover so you leave your picnic spot better than you found it.
Pack Smart, Pack Light
No need to carry extra weight like a traditional picnic blanket when you already have everything you need in your pack. A bandana, rain jacket, or fleece layer makes a perfectly good place to sit. Pack a cloth napkin, reusable utensils, reusable containers, and, if appropriate for your destination, a small knife. Bring only what you’ll enjoy to keep your pack light and reduce waste.
If you’re hiking with friends or family, divide the picnic supplies among the group so no one person carries the entire lunch. And don’t forget a refillable water bottle. Many European villages have excellent public fountains where you can top off before heading out on the trail. On guided treks, just make sure the guide carries the watermelon!
The Essentials for a Perfect Picnic
If you’re hiking with a group, a simple charcuterie spread is hard to beat. Everyone carries one or two items, and before long you’ve got quite a lunch. If it’s just one or two hikers, keep it simple. If you’re short on time to shop, most village delis are happy to make a fresh sandwich to order, and it’s easy to add some fruit, chips, mixed nuts, or a piece of local cheese.
And there’s one thing we almost never leave behind: chocolate. There’s always room in the pack for a little something sweet.
If you decide to pack a bottle of wine or a local beer, don’t forget a couple of reusable cups. Just save the celebratory lunch for one of the easier hiking days, not the one with steep passes or tricky footing waiting on the other side.
Need a little inspiration? Here’s what we might pick up for a picnic while hiking in the Chamonix–Mont Blanc region, home to several of our favorite French Alps treks.: French Alps, Tour du Mont Blanc, Hiker’s Haute Route, and Chamonix to Champex Mini Trek
Cheese
- Reblochon: A creamy and aromatic cheese native to the region, like brie, it’s perfect for pairing with crusty bread.
- Beaufort: A firm and nutty cheese with a rich flavor, ideal for enjoying with dried fruits.
Meats
- Saucisson de Savoie: A traditional dry-cured sausage seasoned with local herbs and spices similar to salami, made from pork.
- Jambon de Pays: A flavorful, air-dried ham made from locally raised pigs.
Bread
- Baguette: The classic French bread, crusty on the outside and soft on the inside, perfect for making trailside sandwiches.
- Pain de Campagne: A rustic country bread with a hearty texture, ideal for accompanying cheese and charcuterie.
Extras
- Savoyard Honey: Locally produced honey with unique floral flavors, perfect for drizzling on cheese or bread.
- Walnuts: A regional specialty, these fresh and crunchy nuts add a delightful touch to any picnic spread.
- Cornichons: Tangy pickled cucumbers that provide a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of cheese and meats.
Sweet Treats
- Tarte aux Myrtilles: A delicious bilberries tart, showcasing the region’s abundance of wild berries.
- Macarons: Delicate and colorful almond-based cookies in various flavors, offering a delightful ending to the picnic.
Chocolate
- I think we all can agree that chocolate is a staple in most hikers’ packs. While Switzerland gets much of the attention with familiar names like Lindt and Läderach, Italy’s Venchi and Novi, and Germany’s Schogetten and Ritter Sport are often spotted on trails throughout the Alps. Whether it’s a square saved for the final climb or a bar shared over lunch, we swear chocolate just tastes better on the trail.
Optional Beverages
- Apremont: A crisp and aromatic white wine from the Savoie region, featuring flavors of green apple and citrus.
- Chamonix Craft Beer: Explore the local brewery scene and select a refreshing beer with flavors that suit your taste.
One last tip—don’t rush through lunch. Some of our favorite hiking memories have happened over a trailside picnic: watching a condor soar overhead, a herd of ibex pick its way across a rocky hillside, and a curious red fox hoping to steal a bite of our sandwich. Wherever your next adventure takes you, we bet one of your favorite meals of the trip will be the picnic you packed yourself.
Looking for the perfect picnic spot? Some of our favorites include the Italian Dolomites Trek, Heart of Austria, Argentina: Patagonia, High Peaks of Bavaria and the Matterhorn Trek.
Bon Appétit!
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