Hiking is a fabulous way to get to know a country. By foot, you can explore more slowly and see a place more authentically. But if you can’t read the signage, you might be headed for a dangerous situation without even realizing it. I’ll show you what the most common hiking signs in Germany are and how to read them.
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Words on Hiking Signs in Germany that you should know
Since I can’t show you every possible sign you might encounter on your route, here are some of the most important words to recognize on hiking signs in Germany when it comes to your safety.
- Vorsicht– caution!
- Achtung – pay attention!
- Verboten – forbidden. Similar words include: nicht gestattet, nicht erlaubt, untersagt.
- Umleitung – detour
- Lebensgefahr – life threatening
Hiking Signs in Germany for Your Safety
These hiking signs in Germany are designed to warn you about a danger to your own health or a hazard which would affect you.
Vorsicht Eichenprozessionsspinnen
You can read all about Eichenprozessionsspinnen in the Dangers of Hiking in Germany. The short of it is, these furry caterpillars are not to be messed with! You can still hike here, but be aware of the hairy dudes. You do not want to come in contact with their hairs, which they also leave behind on trees and in their nests.
Achtung Jagd
Attention – hunting! Where I encountered this hiking sign in Germany, there was also caution tape across the path so that we did not enter. It is unlikely that you would come across such a sign, but take it seriously.
Vorsicht – Eisabwurf durch Windkraftanlagen möglich
Caution – falling ice due to wind turbines possible. Lots of wind energy is created in Germany. Or at least, I see an awful lot of wind turbines while hiking. They don’t pose humans any dangers during the warmer months. But during the winter months ice forms easily on the propellers, even if there is none on the ground, as they are higher up in the sky. This ice can fall or be flung at high speeds and be dangerous for anyone walking by.
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Umleitung
A detour can happen for many reasons. The one pictured is because the trail is “blocked off and not passible” (gesperrt und nicht passierbar). Often there is a signed detour which you can follow instead of the main route, or the sign may include a map to show you a possible alternative. It does of course happen that the detour is not well signed or not at all indicated. This is extremely annoying, but something you should be prepared for when heading out into the wood.
Achtung! Nur für geübte Wanderer
Attention! Only for experienced hikers. Yes, some trails have signs like this. I think it is mainly to deter people who are only wearing flip flops from hiking here. You should have sturdy shoes (feste Schuhwerk) for a trail with a sign like this and be prepared for uneven, rocky, or steep terrain.
Rutschgefahr
Danger of slipping! This particular sign includes “by wetness and in the winter.”
Vorsicht! Freilaufender Bulle – Lebensgefahr!
Caution! Free range bull – Life-threatening danger! This is one fence you do not want to wander inside of.
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Hiking Signs in Germany for the Safety of Others
Sometimes the signs intend to prevent you from doing something which could pose a danger to other humans or animals. As visitors in nature, we need to do our best to follow the leave no trace principles as well as being respectful of others who want to enjoy nature too – be it humans, our pets, or other wild animals.
Kein Hundeklo!
You will see this sign even in the city – not a dog toilet! Often the meaning is obvious from the picture included. Usually, this is because people don’t want to pick up your dog’s poop from their property, but in the sign pictured here, it is to protect the wild animals. It says that they can become sick and die from dog poop, which is how I feel whenever I’ve stepped in it.
Achtung Weide / Koppel Querung
This sign informs you about correct behavior when passing through a pasture so that you don’t spook any of the animals. Some hikes will have you enter a field which may have farm animals grazing on it. This hiking sign suggests that you:
- keep your distance, staying on the path as much as possible
- behave calmly, without making any hectic movements
- put your dog on a leash, so that they do not make the cows feel threatened
- do not pet or feed the animals
- take warning signs seriously, like lowering the head or bellowing, and leave the field quickly without turning your back to the animals
Bitte nicht füttern!
Please don’t feed! Many animal owners have similar signs on their fences begging you to not feed their 4-legged friends. Not even grass from the other side of the fence. It is so tempting and can be so fun to feed animals, but do so only with the owner’s permission, otherwise just enjoy observing them.
Achtung – Afrikanische Schweinepest
This problem is becoming more widespread throughout Germany – African swine fever. Though it poses no danger to humans, this virus is devastating to the local wild boar population as well as to pig farms. When entering or leaving areas with such signs, be sure to close the gate so that contaminated animals stay out. Keep your dog on a leash to avoid it brining infected material with it from one area to another. More on ASF here.
Those are all the hiking signs in Germany that I have for now. As soon as I come across new ones I will add them to this post. In the meantime, stay safe while hiking!