Kevin Kühnert successfully completes grueling 1,000-km journey on foot
In an unexpected turn of events, Kevin Kühnert, the former general secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) of Germany, has taken on a new challenge – a 1000-kilometer hike along the North Alpine Trail in Austria.
Kühnert, who resigned from his position in October 2024, cited health problems and growing concerns for his personal safety as the reasons for his departure from politics. However, he has not ruled out a return to the political arena in the future.
The hike, which took place during the summer, saw Kühnert traversing the trail in 50 stages over the past two months. He has shared a series of photos on Instagram, featuring mountain and animal motifs, and different weather conditions.
Kühnert, who is no longer seen in formal attire, can now be found wearing dark hiking pants, a T-shirt, and a cap during his hike. He described the experience as creating space and time for thinking, sorting, and orienting.
In an interview with "Die Zeit", Kühnert expressed that hiking is not a magic potion, but it creates opportunities for reflection and change in perspective. He also mentioned that encounters on the way and short showers are oases in his long-distance hiking life.
The North Alpine Trail, which stretches approximately 1000 kilometers from Lake Neusiedler to Bregenz on Lake Constance, was opened in 1975 by the Austrian Alpine Association. Kühnert's hike on this trail is a testament to his resilience and his love for adventure.
As for his current professional ambitions, Kühnert's Instagram post does not explicitly state what they are. However, it is clear that his professional ambitions are different from his political career.
Regardless of his future plans, one thing is certain – Kevin Kühnert is taking his time to reflect, recharge, and find his next steps in life. We wish him all the best on his journey.
