Here are some pictures from my hike along the Kiel Canal. Not the greatest pictures because I was walking at night, and towards the end I just did not feel like taking pictures. Anyway, maybe they give you a little insight into how it looks along the canal 🚢

Background, for those who don’t know: I set out on a challenge to walk the whole length of the Kiel Canal in 24 hours without shoes (only barefoot or in Skinners sock shoes). That’s a hike of 110 km (68.35 mi) in total 🚶‍♂️

In the end I walked from Brunsbüttel to Rendsburg, a total length of 67.8 km (about 42.13 mi). Then I took the train to get home (read more about “the failure” in my previous post).

What I truly loved that night was the solitude, quietness, the nature, the almost full moon, and how peaceful it was. I love being alone. It gives me joy, recharges my inner batteries, and just makes me happy. I enjoyed the wildlife along the way (although every so often they scared me when they ran out of the bushes; I almost pooped my pants at one time 😅), and even the walking itself 😊

I don’t really like to brag about things I did, but besides not finishing the challenge, I am extremely proud of what I achieved. That distance is roughly more than double compared to every hike I ever did before (hike in one go, I mean) 😱

While I “failed” the main goal of that challenge, I achieved more than I believed I would. Several times during the night I wanted to quit. I was forced to move on, though, and I pushed myself at least a little further than what my mind and body said I could.

That, to me, is some kind of success in this whole story 🥳

This said, I already planned the remaining route on Komoot. It’s “only” about 45 km left. Once my feet are fine (I mainly mean the blisters), and the weather is good, I will finish that walk 🏁

Here’s the link to my Komoot tracking Challenge NOK24 – Kiel Canal (Part 1), as well as the full-length hike along the Kiel Canal, in case you’d like to give it a try for yourself.