Trekking info for Germany

[OttoStover]

We are going to wisit Germany next year in autumn probably september. We are used to walk in the mountains in Scandinavia, but we do not have good info of places to visit in Germany.

Please help. PS, we have a dog and it must be so that the dog may come with us. You may answer back in german, I understand most of it, as long as you stay away from local jargon and abbrevations.

[barleybreeder]

AW: Trekking info for Germany

Hi Otto,

There are enough trekking destinatinon in the east, middle, west and south in germany. Do you have some more details? Where do you want to go exactly?
For a first inspiration have a look at the topic "Reiseberichte".

One of my favorits are the Harz and the Sächsiche Schweiz...

[Vander]

AW: Trekking info for Germany

For further information it would be good to know:
i) how long you are going to stay
ii) if there are any places you have to go to in Germany or if you are totally flexible.

You can get informations about some trails here:

Top Trails of Germany
Wanderbares Deutschland

[OttoStover]

AW: Trekking info for Germany

Thank you barleybreeder. We have not decided to stay one spot. The plan is to travel around and look at mobile homes at several dealers around the country. I have one already, but i plan to buy a new(er).

One year ago I looked often at the net edition of Outdoor-Magazin. But as they changed that to the red horrible version they have now, I stopped reading them. Before I found several trips, also send request and got brochures and tips in return.

What I think about is something like this http://www.turistforeningen.no/locat...rda&fo_id=6291 Press "vis i kart" and a map shows huts and tracks in a wide region. (BTW this must be something of a dream to you, I see that you campaign for shelter huts in the Harz. Have you been to Norway and visited our huts? the hutsystem is FANTASTIC)

Is there a trekking organisation like DNT in Germany?

[OttoStover]

AW: Trekking info for Germany

Thank you Vander, just about exactly what I was looking for. I will read this info tonight, as I'm on night shift in a hospital. Thank you sooo much.

[barleybreeder]

AW: Trekking info for Germany

(BTW this must be something of a dream to you, I see that you campaign for shelter huts in the Harz. Have you been to Norway and visited our huts? the hutsystem is FANTASTIC)

Is there a trekking organisation like DNT in Germany?

We have been in Norway last Winter but visited a hut only one time for an coffee. The rest of the 6-Day-Trip we spend outside or in the tent. KLICK

In the Alps, you will find a huge number of huts. Many of the are supported by the DAV. When you are looking for a specific...KLICK
Unfortunately, outside the Alps theres nothing like this. Not really comparable with the DAV or BTW huts is the Deutsche Jugendherberge.
But they are often located in "trekking" regions and the prices are accetable...

[kawajan]

AW: Trekking info for Germany

Hi Otto

A problem is that the most huts from DAV are not open for Dogs .But you can take a tent and sleep outside .

Grüsslis Jan

[LapplandJens]

AW: Trekking info for Germany

As barleybreeder already wrote: except for the alps, there is no such system of huts in germany as you find in Norway. The reason for this may be that there is almost always a village or town in reach, where your can find a room in a hotel or "Pension" (something like a Bed&Breakfast) or the Jugendherbergen (Youth hostels). But most of the Youth hostels I know also are in some village. The only other organisation that I know of, that has some houses outside of villages in hiking areas is http://www.naturfreundehaeuser.de/

[albschwob]

AW: Trekking info for Germany

Hi Otto,

in the southern part of Germany we have something like a "hiking-club" called "Schwäbischer Albverein". They have a couple of houses in the area of the "Schwäbische Alb" which is a highland east of the Black Forest and north of the river Donau in the state "Baden-Württemberg". Most of these houses are along the main-trail "HW 1" which is connecting the cities Tuttlingen and Donauwörth and running along the north-rim of the "Alb".

Here is a map of the complete area which is covered by this club including the links to all the houses and towers they have.

Also in the south there are some mobilehome-production-companies.

Hymer in Bad Waldsee
Fendt in Mertingen
Dethleffs in Isny
Bürstner in Kehl

[motion]

AW: Trekking info for Germany

Hi Otto

A problem is that the most huts from DAV are not open for Dogs .But you can take a tent and sleep outside .

Grüsslis Jan

Just ask the hut warden before you start the trip/walk. I´m traveling with my dog through the alps and i had no problem to take her in the hut. The dog can´t go in the sleeping rooms. But most times he can stay in the restaurant or in a other room less used.

Greetings
Sven

[OttoStover]

AW: Trekking info for Germany

Thank you all for help so far, you have really given me much help now. I have been on nightshift, and as it has been quiet I've had opportunity to search the sites I got. I am impressed by the number of tracks and info on the net. Our DNT has much to learn there.

But of course it has also raised some questions. I hope you excuse my lack of knowledge here.

When looking at US tracks they have application forms. As I did not find this I assume one may freely go whenever one wishes, is that correct?

Norway has a law that as a main rule gives anyone the right to put up a tent wherever they wish as long as it is outside towns and on unfarmed land. I know that it is not so with you, where may we put up the tent then? Is this something that is informed about at the trailhead.

If we wish to sleep in a hut/hostel, must we order in advance or may we just come there and hope for the best?

I did not find prices for the huts. What is the typical price for one person one night at the huts/hostels? I understand that some may have higher quality and therfore charge more than others.

[myrddin]

AW: Trekking info for Germany

When looking at US tracks they have application forms. As I did not find this I assume one may freely go whenever one wishes, is that correct?

At least I know of no tracks in Germany you have to apply for, so usually you do not need any.

Norway has a law that as a main rule gives anyone the right to put up a tent wherever they wish as long as it is outside towns and on unfarmed land. I know that it is not so with you, where may we put up the tent then? Is this something that is informed about at the trailhead.

You can put up tents on a camping place, sometimes books (i know that for biking) have information on campingplaces along the road. I think, it should also be possible to ask a farmer, if you can camp on his property, but I never tried this.

If we wish to sleep in a hut/hostel, must we order in advance or may we just come there and hope for the best?
I did not find prices for the huts. What is the typical price for one person one night at the huts/hostels? I understand that some may have higher quality and therfore charge more than others.

The typical price is around 20€, depending on the quality and the region. You have to be a member of either the german youth hostel association or a foreign one afaik. Most hostels should have place, but I think especially in cities or in holiday time, it is good to book in advance.
I've never slept in a hut, so I don't know anything about them.
lg, Julius

[barleybreeder]

AW: Trekking info for Germany

Norway has a law that as a main rule gives anyone the right to put up a tent wherever they wish as long as it is outside towns and on unfarmed land. I know that it is not so with you, where may we put up the tent then? Is this something that is informed about at the trailhead.

Do you mean the "Lov om friluftslivet", in Schweden called allemansratten?

In Germany there is nothing comparable with this. In most cases it is prohibited to pitch up your tent. It is written down in the "forest laws" of the federal states.

There have been endless discussion in the community, where and when can it be possible, avoiding trouble with hunters, forest rangers or farmers.

So the best way is....arrive late....start early! Don't let catch you!
Most of the people here get on well with this.

[albschwob]

AW: Trekking info for Germany

In Germany you are allowed to go everywhere without any special permission. Exceptions are marked with special signs. These are for example military areas (entering prohibited) or areas called "Naturschutzgebiet". These are areas where you can find plants for example which need a special protection. In these areas you are not allowed to leave the trails and in some of the "Naturschutz" areas they have a kind of Rangers to make sure that people follow the rules. Camping is also strictly prohibited in these areas.

In all the other areas it is also not allowed to camp. (we don't have something like the "alemansräten") But for a biwak for one night nobody will take you to jail. I did this several nights also with a group of young boyscouts and I had never any problems. Most times we did use fireplaces for our camps which you can find everywhere in areas which are prepared for hikers. Mostly the fireplaces are shown in the maps. And if you leave the place in the same conditions as it was when you did arrive, and you don't use a Ghetto-Blaster you will not get in trouble. Be calm and friendly if somebody is asking what you are doing there, and they will wish you a good time.

For the huts an hostels I would recommend you to ask in advance if it is necessary to do a reservation. This is very different between the different organizations and depends also to the warden. By getting in contact with them you can also find out about the opening times. Prices for the huts will be between 10 and 30-40 Euro .... depending to the comfort and if just bed, bed&breakfast, etc. ....

I hope this helps you a little bit.

[Philipp]

AW: Trekking info for Germany

Hei Otto,

hui, det skjer nok heller sjeldent at en nordmann spør om trekkingmuligheter akkurat i Tyskland, siden dere har mer enn nødvendig av slike. De fleste turister som kommer hit kommer sikkert av helt andre grunner enn for trekking.

Det er menigsløst å generelt sammenligne Norden med Tyskland og å søke de samme tingene i begge land. Norge har mere av det ene, Tyskland kanskje av det andre.

Tenk på at uansett hvor i Tyskland du ferdes du ferdes i fullt kulturlandskap og ”ekte natur” finnes ikke (gjelder strengt tatt for nesten hele Europa, de største delene av Norge mer eller mindre inkludert). Ikke vent deg vidder og fjell som du er vant til hjemmefra (jeg vet at du vet det ) men heller en mosaik av forskjellige landskapsformer of –typer ofte avgrenset fra hverandre av intensivt brukte og tettbefolkete arealer.
Natur- og kulturopplevelsene går hånd i hånd og man gjør godt med å ha åpne øyne for kulturen som byer, borger, slott osv. som ligger langs vegen.

Liker du skog så kan jeg anbefale Pfälzer Wald (ligger vest for Rhinen mellom Worms of Karlsruhe og er Tysklands største sammenhengende skogsområde). Fin og delvis lys skog av furuer, eker, bøker og kastanjetrær, særlig skjønt om høsten. Dertil kommer mange borgruiner, klatrefjellknauser og vinkulturen på østkanten av Pfälzer Wald langs Weinstraße’n. Igjen særlig hyggelig om høsten (hikks!).

Schwarzwald (der i området kunne jeg forresten også anbefale en bobilutleier og –selger...) skal også nevnes, særlig den sydlige delen som er høyere og som på gode dager fra Feldbergen byr på et fantastisk alpepanorama med blikk fra Großglockner i øst til Mont Blanc i sydvest. Synd er at mye vandring går på større skogsveier som kan bli lite grann kjedelig etterhvert.
Hopper dere over Rhinen der nede så kommer dere til Vogesene, som er mere utsatt enn Schwarzwalden og mere variiert. De fleste av fjellbondene der tilbyr mat og drikke (”ferme auberge”), noen også overnatting. Kan meget anbefales! Osten der er nydelig, og folk flest der snakker også tysk hvis det skulle hjelpe.

Andre av mine favoritter er
- Fränkische Schweiz i Nordbayern med hyggelige små daler, knauser og fjellvegger for klatring, bøkskoger...og omtrent 200 småbryggerier med et, sier vi, meget konsumentvennlig prisnivå...
- Odenwald på andre siden av Rhinen ovenfor Pfälzer Wald.
- Rhinen mellom Mainz og Koblenz
- Harz
- Rhön i Nordbayern og parter av Hessen med åpne vidder, myr, skog og fjell. Her finnes også noen betjente hytter for overnatting. I høst får man delvis nydelige viltretter i restaurantene og gjesthusene.
- mange andre...

(Mens jeg skriver dette slår det meg at det faktisk ikke er lett å finne passende og presise norske ord for mellom-europeiske landskapsformer og –deler, som ”Mittelgebirge”, ”Bergkuppe”, ”Fels” og andre. Samtidig finner jeg ofte ikke gode tyske oversettelser for norske landskapsbegrep, som ”snaufjell”, ”svaberg”, ”knaus” og andre).

Det er offisielt ikke tillatt og bruke telt i landskapet, men hvis du blir bare for en natt, ikke har bilen ved siden av, oppfører deg godt, holder deg ut av naturvernområder og kanskje til og med spør folk om du får lov til å bli for en natt så vil du mest sannsynlig ikke få problemer. Jeg for min del har aldri fått krangel eller disput på grunn av telting.
Har du lyst på en stilig overnatting på en borgruine så er Schmidtburgen kanskje noe for dere: http://www.schneppenbach.de/Schmidtburg.htm

Kanskje du skriver litt mere nøyaktig hvor her nede dere skal reise, så kan vi her i forum sikkert komme med noen mer konkrete tips.

Hilsen

Philipp

[OttoStover]

AW: Trekking info for Germany

Tusen takk Philipp, du hadde jo en masse nyttig info. Vi kommer jo ikke til Tyskland primært for å drive trekking, men når vi først er der ønsker vi å kunne gjøre i alle fall en lengere tur der. Vårt primære mål er jo det med bobil.

Det vi ikke ønsker er å gå leeenge i en tett skog. Det er vi lei av i Sverige. Heller mye opp og ned bare man får litt utsikt underveis. At stien går innom småbyer med hyggelige Gasthaus gjør heller ikke noe. Jeg fikk en masse linker som jeg har sett mye på. Både en total oversikt over alle stier i Tyskland, og en med de ti beste.

Egentlig er jeg imponert over hvor flott presentasjonen på internett var for de fleste jeg har sjekket. Virkelig utsøkt. Her har DNT mye å lære.

Vi har hele fire uker ferie, så det er ikke stress, men litt tid går jo med til å kikke på bobiler og ordne papirer og sånnt. Men det gir rikelig tid enda til å gå tur. Jeg er usikker på hvor dine favorittveier akkurat befinner seg, kan du nevne noe nummer fra denne listen http://www.wanderbares-deutschland.de/ eller et postnummer hvor man starter. Jeg har nemlig et stort kart over Tyskland med alle postnummer på veggen.

[Philipp]

AW: Trekking info for Germany

Hei Otto,

Nede har jeg kombinert de ovnnevnte favorittene mine med numrene av wanderbares-deutschland.de. Dette nettstedet gjør heller reklame for spesielle stier enn for regioner, men er nok en brukbar basis for planleggingen.

- Fränkische Schweiz i Nordbayern: omkring nr. 28
- Odenwald: omkring nr. 64, men jeg ville heller holde meg litt mer østlig (Odenwalden har mange åpne arealer, så ikke bare skog, sjølv om ”-wald” muligens gir dette inntrykket).
- Rhinen mellom Mainz og Koblenz: nr. 9 og 84
- Harz: nr. 37 og 38.
- Rhön i Nordbayern og parter av Hessen: nr. 94
- Pfälzer Wald: omkring nr. 66
- Schwarzwald: omkring Nr. 24

Sikkert er det lønnsomt å ta Alpene med i vurderingene og da havner dere fort i Østerrike (men det gjør ikke vondt... ).

Vennlig hilsen

Philipp

[OttoStover]

AW: Trekking info for Germany

Tusen takk, Philipp, jeg skal på nattevakt i natt og da skal jeg bruke tiden til å se på disse områdene. Finnes det noe godt kartgrunnlag på internett. Her hjemme har vi jo inatur.no og en rekke andre, men jeg har ikke funnet noe for Tyskland.

[Ardbeg]

AW: Trekking info for Germany

Bevor ich das jetzt in Englisch hereinstelle und für Verwirrung sorge, möchte ich darauf hinweisen, dass in Baden-Württemberg das Rauchen im Wald wegen Waldbrandgefahr grundsätzlich von März bis Oktober nicht gestattet ist. Daran halten sich zwar leider viel zu wenig Leute, aber wer erwischt wird, zahlt unter Umständen eine Ordnungsstrafe. Ich weiß jetzt nur nicht, ob das eine Regelung ist, die nur in BW gilt oder in ganz Deutschland. Wenn jemand weiß, ob das überall gilt, sollte man Otto das noch auf Englisch wissen lassen.

[OttoStover]

AW: Trekking info for Germany

Thank you for the consideration Ardbeg, but both my wife and me are nonsmokers. As far as i know our dog is also a nonsmoker But if we put up a tent some place, I hope it is in order to use the Primus Omnifuel for heating water and making food in general.

Btw I have ordered some information booklet from Wanderbares Deutschland. Looking forward to do some hiking next year in Germany. I'm really impressed with the good information of the tracks there.