Slowing Down on the Trail – with Jasmin Vazquez

Say hi to Jasmin Vazquez, a hiker and nature enthusiast who believes the best trail is one you take without rushing. Read on for her tips on mindful hiking, her favourite lesser-known routes in Germany, and what she's packing for the mountains this summer.

Jasmin is wearing the Vera Hiking Pants in green, in size 36 / short. 

Hi Jasmin! You're a passionate hiker with a deep love for the outdoors. How did you first fall in love with hiking?

Although I grew up in a city, we lived right next to a forest. My walk to school always led straight through it. If I'm honest, the route probably always took twice as long as it should have, because I loved stopping to look at leaves, watch molehills, or listen to birdsong.

Being part of a scout group was one of my greatest joys as a child. We spent a lot of time hiking in the Black Forest, the Swabian Jura, and the Bavarian Forest. My love for being outdoors developed very early on, and it just took me a while to realise how deeply it had taken root.

What are your three tips for a more mindful hiking experience?

Take the pressure off. Set a rough destination, but treat the journey itself as the goal. This allows you to fully enjoy the small moments along the way.

Good clothing makes all the difference. Rain won't feel like an enemy anymore, but something you are prepared for and can even enjoy without getting wet. Merino wool helps regulate your temperature in wind or sunshine, so you can fully enjoy both ascents and descents.

Keep your eyes and ears open. Look at the flowers along the trail. Don't recognise them? Take a photo and look them up afterwards. Read the information signs along the hike to better understand the environment around you. The trail has so much to teach, if you let it.

What are your top three lesser-known hikes in Germany?

I love the Westweg trail in the Black Forest. It runs from Pforzheim all the way to Basel in Switzerland and is surprisingly underrated. So far, I've only hiked individual stages, but one day I plan to complete the entire route.

Hikes in the Gunzesried Valley in the Oberallgäu district are among my go-to routes, especially when higher elevations still have snow or are seeing early snowfall in autumn. There's something very peaceful about the valley at those in-between times of year.

Another often underestimated, but very entertaining experience is mudflat hiking in East Frisia. Walking kilometres through the mudflats is unlike anything else: fascinating, a little absurd, and completely captivating. It should never be done without a guide, but with one, it's an adventure I'd recommend to anyone.

How do you like your Vera Hiking Pants, and where will you be taking them this summer?

The Vera Hiking Pants are, quite simply, the perfect hiking trousers. The practical pockets mean that my phone, energy bars, and hair ties are always within easy reach, with no digging through a bag mid-trail. And thanks to the highly flexible material, they feel like a second skin, even on very steep sections. They move with you rather than against you, which makes such a difference on a long day out.

This summer, I'll be heading to the Allgäu, and the Vera Pants will absolutely be coming with me.

Want to follow Jasmin's trails and adventures? Find her on Instagram. Looking for more inspiration from women who find their way through nature? Read about Sara Gärdegård's life among the lakes and mountains of Jämtland.