Kevin Kühnert completes his 1,000 km walkathon

In a surprising turn of events, Kevin Kühnert, the former General Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and a renowned political talent, has taken a break from the political limelight to embark on an extraordinary journey. After his resignation from the SPD in October 2024 and leaving the Bundestag in April, Kühnert has chosen to spend two months hiking the Nordalpenweg in Austria, reflecting on his future outside of politics.

The North Alpine Trail, a 1,000-kilometer long-distance hiking route that leads around the northern limestone Alps, was opened in 1975. Kühnert's attire during this adventure consists of dark hiking pants, a t-shirt, and a cap. He has shared a series of photos on Instagram, featuring mountain and animal motifs, and different weather conditions.

Kühnert's hike was planned half a year ago and consists of 50 stages. He describes the extreme conditions during the hike as making the simple moments enjoyable. Hiking, according to Kühnert, creates space and time for thinking, sorting, and orienting.

Rain, wind, cold, and even fresh snow have lost their significance for Kühnert during the hike. He mentions brief encounters on the way and "three minutes of lukewarm shower water instead of cold cat washing" as oases in the long-distance hiking life. In one photo, Kühnert is kneeling on a meadow with his chin resting on his hand, capturing a moment of tranquility amidst the challenging journey.

Kühnert's resignation was due to health problems and growing concerns about his personal safety. However, he has not ruled out a return to politics. His professional ambitions, as suggested by his Instagram post, are not clear from the photos and captions he has shared.

The North Alpine Trail leads from the Neusiedler See to Bregenz on Lake Constance. Kühnert questions when he will have such an opportunity again, suggesting that this hike is not just a physical challenge, but also a chance to take a step back and reflect. As we wait to see what the future holds for Kühnert, one thing is certain - his spirit for adventure remains unbroken.