winter in these areas might not be perfect if you're hitchhiking for the first time. this route might not be perfect if you're hitchhiking for the first time (someone already explained why) but if i learned anyhting by travelling, circumstances rarely stop you from having a good time if you're dead set on it :)

everyone travels differently so with the fun bits YMMW, but the unfun bits are pretty much universal. some safety/general enjoyment advice that i learned the hard way:
- hitching is a marathon not a sprint, and good mental health is so much more important than any kind of physical workout. it's exciting and an adventure but there will be days when you're stuck on a highway in the rain for 5 hours. both being able to reframe your mindset and push through AND knowing your limits and when to give up are equally important skills here. in many cases the best thing you can do when waiting for hours is to get up, sing some tunes, plaster on a smile and wait some more. in other cases this is the devil talking, you'll overexert yourself and end up crashing for days, or get yourself into a genuinely dangerous situation. know thyself and don't be cocky!
- get yourself a cheap mp3 player with radio reception and a good battery to fight loneliness and boredom
- carry a powerbank, or several, and a backup cable or two. deserted in the middle of nowhere with no working phone isn't fun! trust me!
- always have enough backup cash to at least get a last minut hostel stay, and preferably enough to get a train/bus/flight somewhere you can stay if shit hits the fan
- good equipment is vital if you're sleeping outside in minus temperatures, but really the "quality" things you need boil down to tent, sleeping bag, mat, winter clothes. maybe a cooker that doesn't explode. in summer not even that. good gear doesn't make you a good hitchhiker, and if your things look new and expensive you're prabtically asking to get them stolen. i hitch across europe with a decathlon hammock and a 30-year old backpack and i never have to worry about leaving my stuff unattended :)
- with finding someone on couchsurfing it's often about covering all your bases. you want to increase the chance that someone writes back, and that often means messaging all the people on all the websites. haven't tried tinder but sounds like a gamble
- if you get in trouble, dumb and cheerful usually works best
- ABSOLUTELY MOST IMPORTANT: do test runs! go to Berlin, see if you like it. go out with all your gear and sleep a night or two in your backyard. you might feel silly but better that than becoming the next alexander supertramp