© TMBW, Foto: Gregor Lengler
Outdoor Etiquette Guide Baden-Württemberg
Travelling Respectfully in Nature
19.8.20268 min. read timeby Hirsch & Greif
In our outdoor etiquette guide, you’ll find helpful tips and advice on how to enjoy the great outdoors responsibly. #respectfornature
Your Guide to Enjoying Nature Responsibly
#respectfornature: Experiencing Nature in Baden-Württemberg in a Mindful Way
Baden-Württemberg’s diverse natural landscapes invite you to escape the daily grind and recharge your batteries. Whether you’re hiking, cycling or enjoying a day out in the countryside, treating nature, wildlife and other visitors with respect helps to preserve these special habitats.In our outdoor guide, you’ll find practical tips and advice for sustainable experiences of nature in Baden-Württemberg, so that future generations can also enjoy the beauty of our landscapes undisturbed.Good to know:
Special rules sometimes apply in protected areas. It is best to inform yourself before travelling and read the signs on site.
Check for ticks after your visit. The diseases borreliosis and TBE transmitted by ticks pose a health risk to humans that should not be underestimated.
9 Tips for your next Trip into Nature
In the Living Room of Wild Animals
Climate-friendly to your destination
Noise, exhaust fumes and wild parking are just some of the side effects of our motorised guests. We therefore recommend that you use public transport or a bicycle to get here if possible.
Wild camping
Wild camping is generally prohibited. The trekking camps in the Black Forest and Odenwald offer a legal alternative for spending the night in the forest.
Consideration and respect
A friendly greeting and a step to the side are just as easy as braking early and driving with foresight. This way, everyone gets home without arguments and frustration.
Stay on the path
Baden-Württemberg's impressive network of hiking trails measures around 50,000 kilometres. If you stay on the paths and respect the closures and signs, you not only protect nature but also yourself from avoidable accidents.
Take rubbish with you
Thermos flasks and snack boxes are an environmentally friendly alternative. If you can't manage entirely without packaging, take your rubbish back with you. This is because some waste has a lifespan of centuries, decomposes into toxic substances or proves to be a deadly trap for wild animals.
Watch out for forest fires!
In Baden-Württemberg, there is a general ban on smoking in the forest from March to October and you should also refrain from smoking in other areas. Campfires may be lit at designated fireplaces, but only as long as there is no acute risk of forest fires. It is particularly important to ensure that the fire is completely extinguished when you leave the site.
Collecting & picking in moderation
Mushrooms, berries and edible plants may be collected for personal use. National parks, nature reserves and the core zones of biosphere reserves are excluded. The plants must always be washed thoroughly before consumption and it must be ensured that they are of an edible variety.
Dogs on the lead
Keep dogs on a lead. The wild animals and other visitors will thank you for it. And keep your distance from wild and grazing animals and stay calm. Report injured animals to the forestry authority or police.
Better stay at home during storms and thunderstorms
Forest areas should be left as quickly as possible during storms and thunderstorms. Visits should also be avoided at dusk and in the dark, as otherwise the animals' biorhythms will be severely disrupted.
Tips for Nature Experiences in Baden-Württemberg
Earn More About Conservation, Wildlife and Outdoor Guidelines
