Waymarking in Europe

WAYMARKING 1 IN EUROPE // 2017 2 3

Over the course of the past 100 years footpaths have become an indispensable part of walking in Europe. They contribute to the conservation of nature in an important way to the understanding of nature in general and the knowledge of places of historical interest in particular regions and our joint European history in the widest possible context.

Waymarking, which began in some regions close to 140 years ago, is mostly carried out by walking clubs, who use volunteer workers for this purpose. Walking clubs are very proud of this tradition.

The existing system of waymarking has been developed in such a way that all paths correspond to the basic requirements or principles for marked footpaths. These requirements and principles are under “General Principes for Marking“. The diversity of forms of marking in individual regions is not an obstacle to the movement of walkers along marked paths.

In general, Europe is split into four regions, which use different waymarking systems, although the system of waymarking in each region has very similar signs and rules of marking: • South-West Europe: Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy • Middle-South Europe: Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Hercegovina • Middle-East Europe: Eastern part of Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hun- gary, Estonia, Romania, Bulgaria • North-West Europe: Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Great Britain, Vosges, West- ern part of Germany

ERA has prepared a structured overview of waymarking systems in the majority of European countries. To help you with the orientation in the text, please see „Description of text“ for the list of points they might be useful for your search.

We are very happy for any improvement or ideas you have to our overview of waymarking. We regularily update our site, therefore you are very welcome to send to the ERA office your notices. Please write to: [email protected]

We hope to help you a little bit on the way across Europe. Enjoy your walking.

Jana Harnochova ERA office 4

General principles for signing and marking footpaths

• Waymarks should be placed in the direction • Long sections of routes without junctions of the route so that they are clearly visible should be provided with reassurance marks. from a distance. The distance between junctions, guidance marks, confirmation marks and the first • Waymarks should be positioned on an reassurance mark should not exceed 250 m. object so that the whole mark is visible from This distance should be shortened in dif- the point of view of the approaching walker, ficult or mountainous terrain. by ensuring that the surface of the mark forms an angle of more than 45° with the • If the marked route turns off on another line of route. path or changes direction suddenly, an arrow should be used, with the point of the • The route should be waymarked in both arrow indicating the new direction. directions, with two clearly separate marks. Each of these marks should be positioned • Increased attention should be paid to the with respect to one direction only. signing of routes in built-up areas, and in particular along sections leaving built-up • Junctions are places where paths cross, join areas. or diverge from each other. When carrying out marking, special attention must be paid • Directional panels or fingerposts indicat- to junctions where the walker could leave ing the route of the marked path should be the marked path by mistake. For this reason, placed at the starting/ending points of the all junctions must be marked in both direc- route, at junctions and at other places along tions. the route as necessary.

• A waymark indicating the correct direc- • Fingerposts and directional panels should tion should be placed no more than 10 m indicate one or more destination along the after the junction so that it is clearly visible marked route and the distance in km (miles) from the junction and indicates the change or hours. If a destination is shown on a of direction unambiguously. This mark is fingerpost or panel, it must be shown on all called the guidance mark. other subsequent fingerposts or panels until the destination itself is reached. • Another mark should be placed a little further along the correct route in case the guidance mark is destroyed. This is called the confirmation mark. 5

Waymarking in the European countries

DESCRIPTION OF TEXT

1. State 2. Country or territory 3. Organisations performing the marking 4. The extent of the marked trails network 5. Marking system: 5.1 Footpath marking -.-. 1 Classification of marked paths -.-. 2 Kinds of marks -.-. 3 Fingerposts and signs showing a local destination -.-. 4 Walking-map and information boards -.-. 5 Special interest-trail informations boards 6. European long-distance and international paths 7. Walking maps

PICTOGRAMS: Examples of waymarking in European regions

Blue:

Yellow:

Green:

Red: 6

A Austria

1. State from time to time passages with the risk Austria to fall as well as short, secured spots). Marking of the difficulty: 2. Country or territory Paths through the mountains: red spot. ... Unambitious paths or its sections: blue spot or no special marking at all. 3. Organisations performing the marking A black spot marks paths through the Several sections of the Oesterreichischer mountains (or parts of them), which are Alpenverein (OeAV) and the Deutscher narrow or with a risk to fall. There are Alpenverein (DAV) repeatedly secured passages or easy rock climbing areas. It is absolutely necessary Österreichischer Touristenklub (ÖTK), to be sure-footed and to have a good Headoffice: Bäckerstrasse 16, 1010 Wien, head for heights. tel: +43 1 512 38 44, [email protected] The marked paths are also numbered with one- to three-digit numbers as follow: Naturfreunde Österreich, • The numbers 01 – 10 mark the long- Touristenverein „Die Naturfreunde“ (TVN), distance trails which cross Austria Viktoriagasse 6, 1150 Wien, • The three-digit numbers stand for [email protected], the long-distance paths as well as the www.naturfreunde.at regional paths where at the hundred correspond to the Moriggl-system of the Municipal offices as well as several local mountain groups. tourism organisations. • The one- and two-digit numbers 1 – 99 are used to mark the local paths. 4. The extent of the marked trails network ... 5.1.2. Kinds of marks There will be installed horizontal, rectan- 5. Marking system gular markings with three stripes (200 mm long and 140 mm wide, e.g. on trees). 5.1. Footpath marking With the marking of the paths several The outside stripes with a width of 40 mm organisations are occupied so that not all are red and the stripe in the middle with markings are designed in the manner de- a width of 60 mm is white. Into the white scribed hereafter. On the initiative of the stripe the number of the marked path is national organisations there is at present written. Besides that there can be used an effort to standardise the markings into pressure-sensitive stripes in red-white-red the whole country. It concerns especially with the same width of all three stripes the standardized introduction of the same (80 mm) to stick them on the posts of the signposts which are used in Switzerland. signposts.

This kind of marking uses yellow signposts Here and there are still red circle motives with a length of 600 mm (there of 60 mm on a white field which are replaced step point with time data), which are fixed on by step by the stripe-markings. places where the course of the marked trail is not obvious. In front of the name of destination is also a coloured spot (diameter 20 mm), which indicates the difficulty of the trail (see below). 23 4 5.1.1. Classification of marked paths Marked paths are divided into trails near the valley (with slight activity and not In areas with a close network of marked difficult character) and paths through the paths the marking can be carried out with mountains (mostly narrow and steeply, the same three-striped marking with white 7

outside stripes and coloured middle stripe 5.1.5. Special interest-trail information (white–colour–white). The guiding colour boards order can be red, blue, green or yellow Nature trails follow existing paths and lead correspondant to the significance. from stop to stop. On boards the specific characteristics of the area is pointed out.

6. European long-distance and international paths They run parallel to the long-distance paths 01, 03, 04, 05, 07 and 10 (the E5 runs on his own route). They are sporadically marked 5.1.3. Fingerposts and signs showing with rectancular boards (270 x 80 mm). local destinations The signposts serve as a basic element to secure a reliable course of the marked path. Europäischer Fernwanderweg 4 Pyrenäen-Jura-Neusiedler See-Balaton Every organisation which keeps the marked path in good condition decides independently which type of signpost will be used. This is the reason why the type 7. Walking maps of execution as well as the content of the Some cartographic publishing houses text can have significant differences. (Freytag & Berndt, Kompass-Verlag) publish walking maps with the network of The texts of the signposts are single-lined the marked long-distance paths as well as or multilined with distance information in regional paths. These maps can be pur- hours and minutes (in case of walking times chased into bookshops and tobacconists. less than 45 minutes). The next destination Moreover the „Bundesamt für Eich- und is indicated in the topmost line. The path Vermessungswesen“ publishes sheets of number is shown near the arrowhead. At the national topographical maps „Österre- the lower edge of the signpost the organi- ichische Karte 1:50 000“ with a subscrip- sation which is responsible for the marked tion of the cours of the marked paths. path section is named.

5.1.4. Walking-map and information boards ... 8 BE Belgium

1. State direction of the marked path is indicated Belgium with a double mark. A mark indicating an incorrect route is placed at a crossroads 2. Country or territory in the direction in which the marked path Flandre does not lead. Wallonie

3. Organisations performing the marking Flandern - Grote Routepaden, Beatrijslaan 72, 2050 Antwerpen, [email protected], www.groteroutepaden.be

Wallonie - les Sentiers de Grande Randonnée, 5.1.3. Fingerposts and signs showing Mundo Namur, Rue Nanon 98, 5000 Namur, local destinations [email protected], ... www.grsentiers.org 5.1.4. Walking-map and information 4. The extent of the marked trails network boards The extent of long distance footpaths ... (GR) is around 6,900 kms. 5.1.5. Special interest trail information 5. Marking system boards ... 5.1. Footpath marking 6. European long-distance and 5.1.1. Classification of marked paths international paths The network of marked paths consists of ... long distance paths (GR) connected with similar paths on the territory of France 7. Walking maps and, at the border with Holland, of long The network of marked long distance distance paths (LAW) connected with footpaths is drawn in Belgian topographic similar paths in Holland. maps 1:25 000, 1:50 000 and 1:100 000 and in French and Dutch maps of similar 5.1.2. Kinds of marks scales. The German Kompas publishing Long distance paths are marked with two- house also publishes Belgian walking stripe marks with dimensions of maps with drawings of the marked long 90 x 70 mms, the upper stripe of which distance paths network. is white and lower is red. The change of BG Bulgaria 9

1. State Bulgaria

2. Country or territory ...

3. Organisations performing the marking If several marked paths of different leading Blgarski turisticeski sjuz (Bulgarian Tourist colours pass through the same route, all Union), 75, Vasil Levski Blvd., P. B.: 427, the marks are placed on one object in an 1000 Sofia, www.btsbg.org obligatory shape of multicolour sign.

4. The extent of the marked trails network The length of marked footpaths is around 6,000 kms.

5. Marking system

5.1. Footpath marking The basic requirement in the course of the network building is that, if possible, paths marked with the same leading colour do Object marks are used for detours to a not join or intersect each other. The rule is peak, well, cave or accommodation facility. that the main paths are marked with red The shapes of marks for these detours are and blue marks while the secondary paths not available. are marked with green and yellow. 5.1.3. Fingerposts and signs showing a 5.1.1. Classification of marked paths local destination The whole network of marked footpaths is Both tablets with arrowheads are used marked with three-stripe marks, complemen- as fingerposts (for text with more lines), ted, to a limited extent, with object marks. and fingerposts (for single-line text). Distance indication is shown in hours and 5.1.2. Kinds of marks kilometres. For each direction a symbol of The unified system of footpath marking uses the marked path is added to the tablets, square horizontal three-stripe marks with with a fingerpost being placed in it’s ar- a 100 mms side length, the outer stripes of rowhead. The dimension of the tablets are which are white and the midstripe coloured. 630 x 450 mms or 450 x 220 mms and of The space between the stripes is 5 mms the fingerposts 450 x 100 mms. Wood is wide. The sequence of leading colours ac- used as the material for their production. cording to significance is red, blue, green and yellow. 5.1.4. Walking-map and information boards Boards of different dimensions with schemes of the marked-path routes over a wider area, etched out with distances to main destinations and icons specifying their type, are used near accommodation facilities and more significant starting points of marked paths. The arrow is used in the case where the marked path changes direction suddenly 5.1.5. Special interest trail information or branches out in another direction. boards ...

6. European long-distance and international paths ...

7. Walking maps The following sign indicates the end of ... concurrence of two marked paths: 10 CH Switzerland 11

1. State have to be passed through fords. Users Switzerland of hiking paths have to be sure-footed, have a good head for heights and be 2. Country or territory in good constitution. They must have Switzerland, cantons, municipals knowledge about the risks in the mountains (rock fall, slip hazard, risk to fall, 3. Organisations performing the marking change in the weather pattern). Non-slip Cantonal trail-organisations shoes, equipment fitted on the weather http://www.wandern.ch/de/verband/ and the carrying of topographic maps kantonale-organisationen/kontaktadressen have to be taken for granted. • Alpine hiking paths are ambitious hiking National organisation (only counselling paths. Sometimes they lead through ar- and coordination): eas without trails, across snowfields and Schweizer Wanderwege, Postfach, glaciers, screes, through rock fall gulleys Monbijoustrasse 61, 3000 Bern 23; or through rocks with short rock climb- www.wandern.ch ing areas. Physical provisions cannot be taken for granted and are limited to 4. The extent of the marked trails network the protection of very interrupted parts The whole network of marked paths with the risk to fall. Users of alpine hiking includes more than 60,000 km. paths have to be sure-footed, have a good head for heights and be in a very 5. Marking system good constitution. Knowledge about the using of rope and pick as well as how 5.1. Footpath marking to get over a hiking part with the aid of The paths are marked according to the the hands is absolutely necessary. They same principles in the whole Switzerland. must have knowledge about the risks in Since 2006 the requirements are fixed in the mountains. In addition to the equip- a binding standard. ment for hiking paths an altimeter and a compass and for crossing glaciers rope 5.1.1. Classification of marked paths and pick are indespensable. The path network consists of all the knotted footpaths, hiking paths and alpine hiking Touristic routes present outstanding walks paths. As a rule these paths run outside from and run on foot paths and hiking paths: settlement areas, develop particularly areas, which are suitable for recovery, • National routes are routes which lead beautiful landscapes (view sites, watersides through a big part of the Switzerland. and so on), cultural points of interest as The starting point and the destination well as touristic facilities. Historical routes of these paths are mostly situated in are included as far as possible. border areas. • Regional routes lead through several The paths are divided into three catego- cantons. ries according to their grade of difficulty: • Local routes have a local character.

• Foot paths are publicly accessible paths, 5.1.2. Kinds of marks which are generally meant for walkers. • The signalisation of the paths is yellow. If possible they run aside the streets for the motorised traffic and do not have asphalt or concrete coating. Steep passages can be passed via steps and areas with a risk to fall are protected with handrails. Watercourses can be passed accross (pedestrian) bridges. To walk on foot paths no special requirements are necessary. • Hiking paths are trails which partially make rough areas accessible. Mostly they are steep and narrow and some- • The signposts of the hiking paths are times interrupted. Extremely difficult yellow with a white-red-white point, passages are protected by ropes or confirmations and markings are white- chains. Under circumstances brooks red-white. 12 destination as end of the path is listed. If one signpost indicates several routes (four at most) these routes are divided by a horizontal hyphen. In case of common short-term destinations these points will • The signposts of the alpine hiking paths only be listed once. are blue with a white-blue-white point, confirmations and markings are white- Time specifications complete the desti- blue-white. The information board alpine nation information at all starting points, hiking path gives information about the destinations and stopovers. The time special requirements at the beginning of specifications are rounded up to 5 minutes. the path. Special information like e. g. the route name can be indicated below the destination. Examples for special information: The field of location informs at the starting point, destination and all stopovers of the routes about the location and the height above sea-level. Touristic routes are signalised by sign- postings for route fields. They are an The signposts are made from 5 mm thick, additional signalisation instrument which polished hard aluminium. The length completes the destination signalisation. of the sign-posts is 450 mm (without They are only placed on points with infor- time specification) or 615 mm (with time mation about destination. specification). The width is 120 to 200 mm • National routes are signalised by a route depending on the number of lines. field and a single-digit number. • Regional routes are signalised by a route field and a two-digits number. • Local routes can be signalised by a route field but they do not have to.

5.1.4. Walking-map and information boards Information boards (size 700 x 1,000 mm) Paths which lead to points of touristic show the path network of a region on basis interest, which are not reachable through of a topographical map. They are installed the trail can be signalised by brown sign- at important starting points of walking posts. routes, for example at bus stops or railway stations, in the middle of the towns or at parking lots.

5.1.3. Fingerposts and signs showing local destinations Walking routes are signalised by signposts with information about destination and, if indicated, time specification. These signposts are installed at the starting points, destinations and stopovers of all routes as well as at intersections of the paths. 5.1.5. Special interest-trail information boards Destinations are starting- and final des- ... tinations of routes as well as places with bigger importance along a route. On the 6. European long-distance and interna- signpost the destinations are indicated tional paths from top to bottom according to the As far as possible important international walking direction. At the top the nearest long-distance paths are a part of the net- stopover is listed. At the bottom the final work of the national routes. As route field a combined route field analogue to the They can be marked with touristic informa- 13 signalisation of the EuroVeloroutes can tion boards (size 210 x 148 mm) at impor- be used. In this case a blue route field for tant places of the stage/stopovers. international routes is overlapped at the top on the left by a green route field for national routes.

7. Walking maps The network of marked paths has been included nationwide into the walking maps International long-distance trails of a minor of the schweizerische Landestopographie importance are not non-stop signalised. (scale 1:50 000). 14 CZ Czech Republic

1. State The arrow is used in the cases where the Czech Republic marked path changes direction suddenly or branches out in another direction. 2. Country or territory ...

3. Organisations performing the marking Klub ceských turistû (Czech Tourist Club), Revolucní 8, 110 05 Praha 1, tel. +420 251 610 181, www.kct.cz, e-mail: [email protected] If several marked paths of different lead- 4. The extent of the marked trails network ing colours pass through the same route, The total extent of marked footpaths is all the marks are placed on one object in around 40,000 kms. an obligatory shape of a multicolour sign.

Some 1,000 kms of footpaths are in a suitable condition for use as cross-country ski trails in winter.

5. Marking system

5.1. Footpath marking The basic requirement in the course of the network building is that paths marked with the same leading colour do not, if possible join or intersect each other. The In the vicinity of recreational or tourism rule is that the main paths are marked with centres with a high density of stripe mark red and blue marks while the secondary network, you may encounter local ’object paths are marked with green and yellow. marking’ using squares rather than stripes particularly for shorter walking circuits. 5.1.1. Classification of marked paths A square mark of 100 mms side length is The whole network of marked footpaths is created by two equilateral triangles with marked with three-stripe marks, comple- the leading colour triangle always on the mented, to a limited extent, with object right. This mark also has it’s arrow design. marks.

5.1.2. Kinds of marks The unified system of footpath marking uses square horizontal three-stripe marks of 100 mms side length, the outer stripes of which are white and the midstripe Special white square marks of 100 mms coloured. The space between the stripes side length with green, 30 mms wide is 5 mms wide. The sequence of leading diagonal stripe can be used for the mark- colours is according to significance red, ing of special interest trails. This mark also blue, green and yellow. has it’s arrow design.

However, special interest trails are not in the vast majority of cases, down to 15 always marked in this way. A number of 0.5 kms. The closest place is shown on the them lead along current stripe or local first line from the top. The heading of the marking and they attain the character of fingerposts shows “A footpath of KCT”, or special interest trails only on account of the name of the path. The symbol of the information panels and special direction marked path or detour is in the arrowhead. labels.

Detours of a maximum length of 1 km leading to attractive sites disallowing the Pěší trasa KČT ZBRASLAV 3 km continuation of stripe or local marks, are JÍLOVIŠTĚ 7 km marked with these square object marks DOBŘÍŠ (NÁM.) 15,5 km of 100 mms side length. Also, these marks 2003 ZN325a have the arrow design:

Fingerposts without the symbol of marked path or detour in the arrowhead draw attention to important tourist facilities or attractions in the vicinity of the marked path, to which no independent sign or Detour to a peak or scenic vista detour leads. The reverse direction from the facility or attraction to the marked path is usually also equipped with fingerpost showing as a rule a uniform text “To the starting point of marked paths”. Detour to a fountain or well

Detour to another sight of interest

If a special interest trail is not marked with a special sign and leads along stripe or local marked paths, special interest-trail Detour to ruin of castle or other building signs are placed on their crossroads. The symbol of the marked path along which the special interest trail continues is in A square trail-end mark of 100 mms side their arrowheads: length is used at both ends of stripe or local marked path and at the end of each diversion.

Fingerposts with the arrowhead of unified dimensions of 400 x 140 mms are stamped 5.1.3. Fingerposts and signs showing a from sheet iron. local destination Each marked footpath is equipped with Signs showing a local destination placed fingerposts individually and separately for above fingerposts are also beige with black each direction. text. They show the name of the destination in which they are installed and it’s The basic colour of footpath fingerposts altitude. If convenient, a two-line informa- is beige, the text is black. The text of the tive text can be added. fingerposts are single to three-line with distance indication in kilometres rounded, 16 6. European long-distance and international paths KČT ŠIMPERK (ZŘÍC.) European long-distance paths are led 388 m along a common network of stripe Hrad připomínán r. 1239,zanikl v 15.stol.za česko-‐uherských marked paths. Walkers are informed válek. about their route by means of their sym- 2003 TR068 bol (such as E 8) shown in the arrowhead of fingerposts of all paths which the E- path passes. The course of these paths is The tablets with uniform dimensions of shown also in walking maps of KCT. 330 x 140 mms are also stamped from International paths are led in the same sheet iron. way; however there is no notice of their course in the countryside. These are 5.1.4. Walking-map and information shown only in KCT’s walking maps. boards Boards with walking maps with dimen- 7. Walking maps sions of 1,800 x 1,200 mms in the form KCT is the publisher of walking maps of magnified walking maps are, as a rule, covering the entire territory of the Czech placed at important crossroads of marked Republic. These maps contain, besides paths or at their starting point. walking and geographical information, drawings of all marked footpaths, cross- These principal information boards with country ski trails and cycle routes. The se- walking maps are installed in standardised ries of maps in the scale of 1:50 000 (the steel or wooden stands or frames. so called ‘green maps’) serve for walking and cross-country skiing. In view of the 5.1.5. Special interest-trail information fact that KCT ensures the maintenance boards of all marked trails in the Czech Repub- Information boards or printed guides to lic, these maps provide the most reliable special interest trails are designed by their information about their route. Apart from establisher who is also responsible for KCT, several other walking map publishers their maintenance. exist, whose series however do not cover the entire territory of the Czech Republic. As a rule, KCT is not usually such an The KCT walking maps and maps of other establisher and generally only concludes publishers can be bought from the exist- agreements on the maintenance of the ing network of bookshops. special interest trail marking.

D Germany 17

1. State Federal Republic of Germany

2. Country or territory Sachsen, Vogtland, Regierungsberzirk Chemnitz If several marked paths of different colours 3. Organisations performing the marking pass through the same route, all the marks Erzgebirgsverein e.V., Eibenstocker Str. 67, are placed on one object in an obligatory 08349 Johanngeorgenstadt shape of a multicolour sign.

Verband Vogtländischer Wander-u. Gebirgsverein e.V., Am Wald 10, 08258 Schönlind

4. The extent of the marked trails network The marked footpaths create a network of around 15,000 kms. Special interest trails are marked with a 5. Marking system special square mark of 100 mms side length with green, 30 mms wide diagonal stripe. 5.1. Footpath marking

5.1.1. Classification of marked paths Three main long distance footpaths marked in blue traverse the highlands from east to west: “Kammweg”, “Görlitz – Greiz” and “Ostsee – Saaletalsperren”. The “Wander- weg Erzgebirge-Vogtland” long distance footpath is marked in red. Regional paths marked mostly with red marks pass along Also arrows can be used at crossroads larger rivers and are interconnected with and crossings, placing the white arrowhead further red marks. The network is comple- against the appropriate square mark. mented by local paths marked with green and yellow marks. Circular paths also belong to this group.

5.1.2. Kinds of marks The unified system of footpath marking uses square horizontal three-stripe marks with a 100 mms side length, the outer stripes of which are white and the midstripe coloured. The sequence of colours according to the 5.1.3. Fingerposts and signs showing a significance of the marked path is blue, local destination red, green and yellow. The basic colour of fingerposts is green, the border frame and text is white. A symbol of the marked path, for which the fingerpost is designated, is placed in the arrowhead. The text of fingerposts are single to four-line with distance indica- tions in kilometres. The closest place is shown on the first line from the top. Marks of the same dimension but contain- ing a coloured circle 60 mms in diameter If the marked path is named, the name is may sometimes be encountered in areas shown in smaller letters at the lower rim with a very dense network of marked aths. of the footpath fingerpost. 18 The “Wanderweg Erzgebirge-Vogtland” heading of tablets showing local destination. long distance footpath is an exception, it’s name shown in yellow letters on the finger 5.1.4. Walking-maps and information post header and it’s symbol (three formal- boards ised spruces) in green on the fingerpost Boards with walking maps showing the rim, without the symbol in the arrowhead. route of the marked paths are rarely used due to their high cost. At important start- As detours and short circular paths are ing points and marked path crossroads, not marked, fingerposts without a symbol only boards are placed showing marked in the arrowhead indicate them. paths passing through or with a schematic drawing of their route in the immediate The dimensions of fingerposts vary between vicinity. 500 x 100 mms to 500 x 240 mms according to the number of text lines shown on the 5.1.5. Special interest trail information fingerpost. boards These boards show information related to the thematic content of the special interest trail. On the board header a special interest trail mark is placed.

6. European long-distance and international paths The marking of European long distance footpaths is carried out with blue stripe Signs showing a local destination include marks complemented here and there with the name of the destination where the sign the symbol of the European E3 or E10 and fingerposts are placed and in some case long distance footpaths. it’s altitude. The name must conform with the corresponding name on walking maps. 7. Walking maps Walking maps of different scales with The dimension of the sign showing local drawings of marked paths are available destinations corresponds to the dimension throughout the bookshop network. of a fingerpost without arrowhead. At Landesvermessungsamt Sachsen published important crossroads, the names of long 1:25 000 topographic maps complete distance paths are shown in blue in the with drawings of marked footpaths. D Germany 19

1. State 14 main loop trails Germany 261.5 km (numbers from 1 to 13)

2. Country or territory Naturpark Frankenwald

3. Organisations performing the marking Frankenwaldverein e.V. Karlsgasse 7, 95119 Naila; [email protected], www.frankenwaldverein.de The „green loop trails“ are marked with green double-digit numbers and the 4. The extent of the marked trails network name of the path in a white field. The whole path network of the Frankenwald- verein includes approximately 4,220 km. Generally the starting points are related to a tourism place, a larger town or city. 5. Marking system But it is also possible to start or end from/ on any place or parking lot situated on the 5.1. Footpath marking trail.

5.1.1. Classification of marked paths To build these loop trails clearly they are Four certified trails „Qualitätsweg Wan- divided into seven rambling regions, derbares Deutschland“ lead through the which cover the whole hiking area of the Frankenwald. The Frankenwaldverein Frankenwald and its subsidiaries. takes care of them: Some of these loop trails are marked with on 123 km – the Frankenweg – from the different markings, others are maintained Rennsteig to the Schwäbische Alb by the local authorities or organisations. on 39 km – the Fränkische Gebirgsweg Every signpost indicates the total length on 38 km – the Fränkische Steinreich of the path. the „Burgenweg“ – the historic trail from Lauenstein to Kronach with 76 km The rambling region is revealed by one or two letters on the designation:

Rambling region, DÖ, arround the Döb- raberg Rambling region, KC, Kronacher Lang Rambling region, KU, Kulmbach city and country Rambling region, OS, Oberes Selbitztal Rambling region, R, Rennsteigregion Rambling region, RT, Oberes Rodachtal The paths of the Frankenwaldvereins use Rambling region, US, Untere Selbitz, the colour BLUE for the supra-local route Saale and Bad Steben and loop-trails and GREEN for the local loop-trails.

Süßengut-Weg 5.1.2. Kinds of marks There are the following „blue“ paths: DÖ 52 14 main paths 885.0 km (marked with letters respec- tively symbols) In these wide range of loop trails the inte- rested rambler is able to allocate a loop 16 loop trails at the Frankenweg trail to a particular region by means of the 242.0 km (numbers from 51 to 66) markings. The two numbers state more:

20 theme paths KC 74 (Zechen-Weg): The tens stand for 450.0 km (marked with lines or symbols) Stockheim. This means Stockheim is in the 7th place of the walking region 20 Kronach. This order was choosen by pure 6. European long-distance and chance and is no rating. The unit 4 reveals: international paths The Zechen-route is the fourth path of the In the area of the Frankenwaldverein the district area Stockheim. All 70th numbers European long-distance paths E 3 and (KC) are reserved for Stockheim. The name E 6 lead from Mitwitz (coming from the of the trail itself expresses something Thüringer Wald) to Münchberg (following typically of this loop trail. the Fichtelgebirge) on a length of 84 km. Marking symbol is a blue St. Andrew’s Besides the marking, the name of the trail cross in a white field. and the digitally surveyed route every loop trail also gives information about the 7. Walking maps elevation profile, the description of the The state office for measurement and path with back-ground information and geoinformation in Munich as well as the interesting points at the wayside. Fritsch-Landkartenverlag in Hof published walking maps showing the marked paths The loop trails were chosen with much love in the Frankenwald (scale of 1:50 000 to the homeland. They show the Franken- and 1:35 000 as well as 1:25 000 for some wald with all its diversity and offer a plen- areas). titude of possibilities for every rambler to get to know our Frankenwald at best. The Frankenwaldverein has recorded all paths digitally. The tour portal at the 5.1.3. Fingerposts and signs showing a homepage www.frankenwaldverein.de local destination or under http://frankenwaldverein.de/ All signposts are in the same colour as the Tourensuche.126.0.html indicates all paths mark and indicate the name of the path, with course of the route, elevation profile the symbol (in case of loop trails also the and description of the trail. Furthermore total length of the path) and the distance GPS-data are available for download as to the next destination or the destination well as a printout of course of the route, after next (place or viewpoint) in 0.5 km- elevation profile and description of the rounding. path as pdf-file.

5.1.4. Walking-map and information boards At important points (centre of the town, viewpoints) information boards are installed, on which the trails in this area are shown exactly. Basis for the maps partially is the topo-graphic map of the state office for measurement and geoinfomation.

5.1.5. Special interest-trail information boards ... D Germany 21

1. State All special interest trails have their names Federal Republic of Germany and are marked with special symbols, such as 2. Country or territory Saarland

3. Organisations performing the marking Saarwald-Verein, Professor-Notton-Str. 5 - Haus Sturm, 66740 Saarlouis 4. The extent of the marked trails network Marked footpaths create a network of around 2,500 kms.

5. Marking system 5.1.3. Fingerposts and signs showing a 5.1. Footpath marking local destination ... 5.1.1. Classification of marked paths The main marked long distance foot- 5.1.4. Walking-map and information boards paths and walking circuits are marked ... with object marks in red, blue, green and yellow. Circular footpaths designated for 5.1.5. Special interest-trail information motorists have the same marking. Special boards object symbols are used for special inte- ... rest trails (Kulturwanderwege). 6. European long-distance and 5.1.2. Kinds of marks international paths A white square with a side of 100 mms The European E3 long distance footpath is the basic mark shape inside which a is marked with a blue “Andreaskreuz”. symbol in the form of a cross, Andreas- kreuz, circle, triangle or horizontal stripe 7. Walking maps is placed. When a vertical stripe is used, Saarland-Verein has published its own it covers the entire right or left half of the “RV 11159 Saarland” walking map of Saar- mark. Connecting roads to towns and vil- land in the scale of 1:75 000 with drawings lages and to railway stations are marked of all marked footpaths. In addition, topo- with “V” shape marks. The marks are pain- graphic maps can also be bought in the ted or plastic. scale of 1:50 000 showing the drawings of marked footpaths. 22 D Germany

1. State Gäurandweg: Green rhombus with red Federal Republic of Germany rosehip on a white background. Schwarzwald-Querweg Freiburg-Lake 2. Country or territory Constance: White-red vertically divided Schwarzwald rhombus on a yellow background.

3. Organisations performing the marking The newer routes are also signed with a Schwarzwaldverein e.V. rhombus as a basic symbol: Hauptgeschäftsstelle www.schluchtensteig.de Schloßbergring 15 www.zweitaelersteig.de 79098 Freiburg e-mail: [email protected]; 5.1.3. Fingerposts and signs showing a www.schwarzwaldverein.de local destination ... 4. The extent of the marked trails network ... 5.1.4. Walking-map and information boards ... 5. Marking system 5.1.5. Special interest-trail information 5.1. Footpath marking boards www.schwarzwaldverein.de/wege/ ... wegenetz/seite01.html 6. European long-distance and 5.1.1. Classification of marked paths international paths Local trails with yellow rhombuses on a ... white background, supraregional trails and leading paths to the three main walking 7. Walking maps trails with blue rhombuses on the white ... ground.

5.1.2. Kinds of marks The three main routes are waymarked with the rhombuses

West route: Red route Middle route: Red route with white cross East route: Red/Black route

The remaining shorter long-distance paths also have a rhombus as the basic symbol.

Kandelhöhenweg: Red route with white K Schwarzwald-Querweg Rottweil-Lahr: Red and blue rhombus on a yellow background. Schwarzwald-Querweg Gengenbach- Alpirsbach: Blue rhombus on a yellow background. Schwarzwald-Querweg Schwarzwald-Kai- serstuhl-Rhein: Red rhombus on a yellow background. D Germany 23

1. State archy. Branch trails lead to marked points Federal Republic of Germany and end there. They are marked with an angle, the arrow points to the marked 2. Country or territory point. Eastern part of Baden-Württemberg, from the Tauber- and Neckarland over the In the areas far away from the Swabian Swabian Alb to Lake Constance. Alb, other signs are used: the main lines are marked with a bar, the secondary lines 3. Organisations performing the marking with a cross. Blue or red dots are used for Schwäbischer Albverein e.V., cross trails. Branch trails are marked with Hospitalstraße 21B, 7000 Stuttgart 1, a blue or red horseshoe, the arch points www.albverein.net, to the prominent point. [email protected] The main routes HW 3 to HW 10 complete 4. The extent of the marked trails network this system and are marked with a red flag Approximately 23,000 kms of walking plus a number or symbol. For the theme trails are marked in the association area trails only one character is used. (18,000 sq km). 5.1.3. Fingerposts and signs showing a 5. Marking system local destination http://wege.albverein.net/wanderwege/ As signposts you will find aluminum panels. On these tables, you will find the trail sign and a direction arrow, and in the normal way, a nearby destination as well as a destination that is a distance of one day in the direction are named. A dash in front of any further long-distance destination or any further destination of each 5.1. Footpath marking direction shows that they can be reached further on the trail. The names of the 5.1.1. Classification of marked paths destinations and their spelling are taken There are 10 main walking trails as well as from the topographic map 1: 50,000. The themed walking trails that cross the Club’s distances are given in kilometers. area. In addition, there is an extensive ground network. Numerous local circular walks complete this trails network.

5.1.2. Kinds of marks HW 1 (Schwäbische Alb-Nordrandweg) and HW 2 (Schwäbische Alb-Südrandweg) enclose the mountainous region of the Swabian Alb and form the basis of the marking system there. Both paths are marked with a red triangle with an arrow pointing west. Within this ring, yellow signposts characterize the trails, blue signs are used outside this ring. If a destination is located off the trail, this is listed with an empty line under the des- The access trails lead to HW 1 or HW 2 tinations of the passing marked walking and are marked with a yellow or blue trail. The symbol of the walk which later triangle. The arrow points to the main branches off in the direction of the named path. There are alternative paths to the destination is not shown. two main walking trails HW 1 and HW 2 or to the access trails and are marked A name plate is placed in prominent plac- with a red or yellow/blue fork. Cross trails es. This contains the place name, possibly connect access trails and side trails and the altitude and a brief explanation, but are marked with a diamond. The colour no colour signs and directional arrows. depends on the trail with the highest hier- 24 In cooperation with tourism organisations, 6. European long-distance and in some regions a new waymarking system international paths was used according to the signposting The E8 runs through the association area. convention of Swabian Alb. Yellow sign- This is marked with a waymark (red font posts for the basic trails network as well on a white background). as green signposts for the local circular routes are used. 7. Walking maps Close cooperation with the Land Authority 5.1.4. Walking-map and information for Geo information and Land Development boards Baden-Württemberg LGL (www.lgl-bw.de) At important start and/or finish points, takes place. There is a common walking map for example at railway stations or walk- series, covering the whole association area ing parking places, there are orientation (http://wege.albverein.net/wanderkarten/). boards, which were installed by local groups. A panoramic map provides an overview of the trails of the surrounding area.

5.1.5. Special interest-trail information boards ... DK Denmark 25

1. State As a rule, the marks are fixed on freestan- Denmark ding wooden balks.

2. Country or territory ...

3. Organisations performing the marking Dansk Vandrelaug (DVL), Kultorvet 7, 1175 København K, tel. +45 33 12 11 65, e-mail: [email protected], www.dvl.dk

Dansk Islandshesteforening Dansk Ride Forbund 5.1.3. Fingerposts and signs showing Danmarks Naturfredningsforening local destinations Fingerposts usually with single-line text 4. The extent of the marked trails network are painted on a metal plate fixed on a At the end the year 2002, there was a to- standardised low stand made of steel tal of 13,420 kms of footpaths in Denmark, tube. The basic colour of the fingerpost of which 3,923 kms are international and is blue and text is white. At the end of the long distance routes. There is a plan to fingerpost, opposite the arrowhead, there extend the footpaths by 970 kms. is the symbol of the marked path. The name of the marked path is shown above 5. Marking system the fingerpost.

5.1. Footpath marking 5.1.4. Walking-map and information 5.1.1. Classification of marked paths boards ......

5.1.2. Kinds of marks 5.1.5. Special interest-trail information A blue square mark of 100 – 400 mms boards side length with a white icon of a walker ... is used for the marking of all footpaths. The name of the marked path is usually 6. European long-distance and placed at the lower edge of the mark. international paths With a change of direction, a white arrow The European long-distance footpaths is placed on a separate blue tablet of the pass through the actual footpaths. Howe- same width under the mark. ver, this fact is shown at the lower edge of the mark.

7. Walking maps Some walking maps can be found at: www.visitdenmark.dk. 26 E Spain

1. State • SL (Local Footpaths): less than 10 kilo- Spain meters, identified with green color.

2. Country or territory There are also ... • variants (it depart and return to the same paths at two different points) 3. Organisations performing the marking • branch (indicating elements of interest Federación Española de Deportes de near the path, maximum 2 km.) Montaña y Escalada, • links an International links (developed Floridablanca 84 in the Pyrenees between GR 11 – Spain- Entresuelo. 08015 Barcelona and GR 10 France) Tel: 34 93 426 426 7 www.fedme.es 5.1.2. Kinds of marks [email protected] A) Good way Indicate right direction. Placed before Spain is divided into regions; trails and after the crossings, etc.. They can be brands are the property of FEDME and painted on the natural support or appear are registered but are managed by the on a post or similar. regional federations

• Andalucía, www.fedamon.com (member of ERA) • Aragón www.fam.es (member of ERA) • Asturias. www.fempa.es • Baleares. www.fbmweb.com The concurrente or more kinds of paths • Canarias. www.fecamon.es is marked so that a coloured stripe of the • Cantabria www.fcdme.es lover significance (PR or SL) is added to a • Castilla-La Mancha, www.fdmcm.com mark of the higher significance (GR). • Castilla y León, www.fclm.com • Cataluña www.feec.cat (member of ERA) • Extremadura www.fexme.com • Galicia. www.fgmontanismo.es • La Rioja, www.ferimon.com • Madrid, www.fmm.es • Murcia, www.fmrm.net (member of ERA) • Navarra, www.mendinavarra.com • Pais Vasco, www.emf-fvm.com (member of ERA) • Valencia, www.femecv.com B) Sharp change in direction A warning of the change of the marked 4. The extent of the marked trails network path direction is represented with an Paths GR® 29,764 km angled mark. Paths PR® 29,976 km Paths SL® 2,598 km Total 62,338 km

5. Marking system

5.1. Footpath marking

5.1.1. Classification of marked paths There are three types of trails • GR (Long Distance): more than 50 kilo- C) Wrong way meters, identified with red color. Is placed at intersections to indicate • PR (Short Distance): 50-10 kilometers, which aren’t the right way. identified with yellow color. E 4 27 Spanish number:

Cataluña – GR 4, GR 172, GR 7 (the same way with the E 7) Valencia – GR 7 Murcia – GR 7 5.1.3. Fingerposts and signs showing local Andalucía – GR 7 destinations Ceuta – GR 7 Panels: at the beginning of a PR, SL or a stage GR is a panel that gives basic E 7 information about the path or paths in the Spanish number: area (number, length, estimated schedule, Cataluña – GR 7 listing, map or orthophoto, etc..). Usually Aragón – GR 8, GR 10 are in the village. Castilla-La Mancha – GR 10 Fingerpost: in major crosses a pole with Madrid – GR 10 arrows indicating the number of the path Castilla y León – GR 10 is placed, address, and there is an indica- Extremadura – GR 10 tion or distance or time. Canarias – GR 131 (La Palma Island, Hierro, Tenerife) 5.1.4. Walking-map and information boards E 9 Coastal Atlantic Path A trail map of Spain and Portugal avail- Spanish number: able in downloadable PDF on the web País Vasco – GR 121, GR, 123 FEDME, only for the GR. Cantabria – does not exist Asturias – GR 204 (no continuity) It is building a search trails in web FEDME. Galicia – does not exist Andalucía – does not exist 5.1.5. Special interest-trail information boards E 12 Path of the Mediterranean Sea Under normal conditions you can go hik- Spanish number: ing at any time of year and in any part of “GR 92 Sendero del Mediterráneo” the country. Cataluña Valencia – project For climate variation, at Spain there are Murcia – some stages without waymarking trails that are not recommended them in Andalucía winter and others in summer. 7. Walking maps 6. European long-distance and Working with the IGN (National Geographic international paths Institute) and other public and private E 3 Path of St. James companies to inquire about the status of Spanish number: the network at the regional level. “GR 65 . Camino de Santiago” 28 F France

1. State You may encounter a special mark for a France forbidden direction at crossroads:

2. Country or territory ...

3. Organisations performing the marking Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pédestre, 64, rue du Dessous des Berges, 75 013 Paris, www.ffrandonnee.fr Local paths use solely single-stripe marks in yellow. 4. The extent of the marked trails network The total extent of marked footpaths is around 800,000 kms, of which long distance paths (GR) represent 40,000 kms.

5. Marking system

5.1. Footpath marking Along long distance paths, in particular, but also along other paths you may encounter 5.1.1. Classification of marked paths tablets placed above marks which provide Marked footpaths divide into long distance information about the type of marked path. (GR), regional (GR de Pays) and local footpaths (PR). The first two groups of paths differ only in colours of marks, local marking and shape.

5.1.2. Kinds of marks Two-stripe marks are used for long distant and regional paths. The dimension of the 5.1.3. Fingerposts and signs showing a basic mark stripe are 100 x 20 mms and the local destination space between stripes is 5 mms. The upper Fingerposts provide data about distances stripe with the long distance paths is white, to individual points of the path in kilometres. while with regional paths it is yellow. Important information for walkers is provided and names of individual places by means of icons.

An arrow design of these marks serves

for warning of a change in direction of the marked path. 5.1.4. Walking-map and information boards ...

5.1.5. Special interest-trail information boards ...

6. European long-distance and The following modifications of marks are international paths used at the beginning of a diversion. ...

7. Walking maps 125 walking maps with drawn paths covering the whole territory of France are currently available in libraries and the bookshops network. 29