“You go hiking! In the woods!? In Germany? Alone!?” This is pretty much what my next-door neighbor from New Jersey said to me when she found out that, yes, I went hiking. In the woods. In Germany. ALONE! While I mostly feel safe in the forest on my own, there are some dangers of hiking in Germany. I’ll show you how be prepared to safely go on a hike and let you know what dangers to look out for and how to avoid them on your hiking trip in Germany.
DISCLAIMER: Many people think of hiking in Germany as being in the Alps. While it is possible to hike in the Alps in Germany, most of the country is not an alpine landscape. This post will show you how to hike safely in Germany on non-alpine terrain. Much of this applies to the Alps, but you should take even more precautions when hiking in the Alps without a guide.
How did I come to know so much about hiking in Germany? I have hiked here…a LOT! I’ve hiked thousands of kilometers on several long-distance trails including the Westweg, Goldsteig, Harzer-Hexen-Steig, Malerweg, 66-Lakes-Trail, and more. I have spent many Sundays hiking through Brandenburg and around Berlin. For fun, I plan and guide hikes for my colleagues.
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How Safe is Hiking in Germany?
For the most part, hiking even in rural Germany is a LOT different than hiking rurally in the US. I have always felt safe hiking on my own in Germany because of the following reasons:
- my cell phone almost always works
- the next village with a bus stop or train station is just 5 kilometers away
- in a country of over 80 million people, there is always someone who will hike by and help you if you’re lost or hurt
- there are no bears (currently)
- little chance of huge, unpredictable natural disasters
- trails are usually well-marked
While there is little to worry about when hiking in Germany, you should always be prepared. Read on to find out more about how to hike safely in Germany.
All posts about hiking in Germany
How to Hike Safely in Germany
Many of the dangers of hiking anywhere can be easily avoided by taking the necessary precautions. You should always be prepared when you head out into the wilderness. This includes, but is not limited to, wearing weather appropriate clothing, having a map and a back-up plan, bringing enough water, and carrying a first aid kit. Be sure to prepare, pack, and hike safely!
How to prepare to hike safely in Germany
You know the old adage: if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Make a plan, tell someone else the plan, and stick to the plan!
Signs You should be able to Read while Hiking in Germany
Choose an appropriate hike
Know yourself and your hiking buddies. Is it a terrain which is familiar or new to you ? Will you hike alone, with friends, or with children? How long will the hike be? Will there be a lot of altitude? Is the trail popular and well-marked or are you creating your own route? The distance, altitude, and region should be familiar to you or planned with caution. Be aware of how much daylight you will have. Winter days are considerably longer in New Jersey than in Germany. You don’t want to overestimate the daylight hours and end up surprised. Make sure you will have enough light for the hike, including time for breaks, taking pictures, wayfinding, and getting lost.
Find Germany’s best hikes: Premium Hikes and Quality Hikes
Tell someone your plan
Even if you’re going out for just one day, be sure to let someone know where you are going and when you plan to be back. If something does happen, this person will be able to get help to you sooner rather than later. If you are going for a multiday hike, be sure to let this person know how often you plan to contact them.
Check the weather report
The weather in Germany can sometimes annoyingly vary from hour to hour. Follow the weather if you can for a few days before your hike and check the morning of as well. You won’t want to hike in a valley which has had heavy rainfall for days. Nor do you want to plan for a light drizzle which overnight has turned into a thunderstorm with an all-day downpour. Alternatively, the forecast may have included rain which appears to clear up the morning you plan to hike. Knowing the temperature range will also help you to dress, layer, and pack appropriately.
Check out my favorite hike in Germany!
How to pack to hike safely in Germany
Having the right tools in your backpack will prepare you for whatever difficulties cross your path.
Wear weather appropriate clothing
Even on sunny days, I am prepared with a jacket and/or a rain jacket. This is because the temperature can be much cooler in the early morning and in the evenings, depending on how long and when you plan to be out hiking. If you get lost and are out longer than anticipated, having a jacket can keep you warm when the sun goes down. If you are on a mountain or a clearing, the wind could cause you to cool down too quickly.
Similarly, you can have four seasons in a day in Germany, so it is good to be prepared with a rain jacket so that you stay dry. It is best to dress in layers, which you can add and remove throughout the day. For me, having one or both jackets is about comfort. But if you ever get into a situation, staying warm and dry can be the difference between life and death.
The Dangers of Hiking in Germany: Animals
Have a map and a backup
This means having a physical map and a digital one. Or two different digital ones and battery back-up for your device. Or two different devices. Maps all have various strengths and weaknesses which may become apparent when you least expect it. My preference is to have a tangible guide book or map along with my favorite map app.
Bring enough water
This one seems like a no-brainer, but it can sometimes sneak up on you. Having at least a liter of water per person before heading off for the day would be the minimum. Even on cool days, you will lose a lot of water by sweating, though you may not notice it. If you plan to be out for multiple days, have a plan of where to get water and how to clean it.
First Aid Kit
Regardless of the length or difficulty of your hike, you should carry a first aid kit. This kit can vary depending on the group size, length of trip, types of risk you will encounter, and include any special needs. You first aid kit can include things like assorted bandages, alcohol wipes, an emergency blanket, some pain reliever, medical gloves, tweezers for ticks, small scissors, gauze, athletic/climbing tape, blister band-aids, and any personal medication.
Sunscreen and insect repellent will be dependent on the time of year and terrain. You will need sunscreen in the mountains even in the winter.
How to hike safely in Germany
We prepared. We packed. And now we hike!
Stay on Trail
Staying on trail keeps you safe because it reduces the likelihood that you will get lost, prevents you from getting ticks, and helps you to avoid those pesky stinging nettles. But it is also an important “Leave no Trace” principle. We are here to enjoy nature, so we also want to do our best to keep it that way for the sake of nature and the sake of other humans who want to enjoy it. Going off trail creates new paths and destroys the habitats of plants, fungi, and insects.
Do not approach wildlife
As cute as they are, wildlife are dangerous when they feel threatened. They may also carry diseases which can be transferred to you. As much as you would like to get a picture of how adorable it is, you should stay focused on how the animal behaves and your surroundings in order to keep you safe. Making loud noises and clapping your hands can make the animal aware of you. More often than not, wildlife will hear you coming before you see it and it will stay away from you.
Leave no Trace
Do not leave anything in nature that you brought with you. This includes everything from apple cores to toilet paper. Food left around can attract more animals and human food can make them sick. Plus, these items can take a lot longer to decompose than you might think. And the apple you got from the store is a domesticated one and not one found growing in the woods – it doesn’t belong there. As a proud worm box owner, I have seen how much one little thing that doesn’t belong can really upset the whole ecosystem! Leaving toilet paper is just plain gross. Besides, it has been bleached which pollutes the soil if you leave it behind.
Happy Hiking in Germany!
With these few tips you will be able to hike safely in Germany and avoid many possible difficulties. Stay even more safe when you can read these important signs while hiking in Germany. Now on to the dangerous parts: animals, plants, and the environment! (coming soon!).