https://www.reddit.com/r/AskAGerman/comments/gv1r99/where_can_you_walk_in_the_german_countryside/
created by GlencoraPalliser on 02/06/2020 at 06:05 UTC
25 upvotes, 8 top-level comments (showing 8)
Are there any rules governing where you are allowed to walk in the German countryside? Specifically in Bavaria, north of Munich. Are there maps of permitted paths and routes? Are there any special rules about walking with dogs? I collect the dogs’s poo and take it with me, but I was thinking more about off lead walking restrictions. (I do not allow my dogs to worry livestock or horses and do respect farming and the environment by closing gates and not leaving litter behind).
Comment by [deleted] at 02/06/2020 at 06:24 UTC
27 upvotes, 1 direct replies
There is no general "Leinenpflicht" in Bavaria, but every municipality can decide themselves if dogs are allowed off leash or not. So best bet is to either keep the dog on the leash to be sure or to ask beforehand what are the municipality's rules.
For the other question, you are looking for "Wanderwege". Just google it (+ München), you should get plenty of results and suggestions for popular hiking routes.
Comment by DemSexusSeinNexus at 02/06/2020 at 06:26 UTC
12 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Stay on the road/path and you'll be fine. And don't let your dog shit on other animal's food.
Comment by [deleted] at 02/06/2020 at 07:28 UTC
10 upvotes, 1 direct replies
[deleted]
Comment by Pineapple123789 at 02/06/2020 at 07:12 UTC
8 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I don’t think there are any specific rules for where you can walk your dog. I’ve never seen any signs. Just walk wherever you want
Comment by [deleted] at 02/06/2020 at 09:44 UTC
4 upvotes, 1 direct replies
[deleted]
Comment by staplehill at 02/06/2020 at 12:31 UTC
2 upvotes, 1 direct replies
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_to_roam#Germany
Comment by sadop222 at 02/06/2020 at 14:51 UTC*
2 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Outside of villages, towns and cities (understood as where houses stop) dogs are generally allowed to be off leash (That includes farmland, forests, grassland.). Inside, the town decides and usually it's on-leash. Exceptions will be on signs. Otherwise you can walk your dog wherever you want. In some forests you will find signs made by hunters that beg you to not let dogs off leash so they have an easier time killing the animals themselves but they are not binding. However, hunters are allowed to kill your dog if it is found to be "poaching". IIRC in all Naturschutzgebieten dogs have to be leashed.
As for walking/hiking as a human you can do that whereever you want except Kraftfahrstrassen (read: mostly Autobahn) and private property (excluding farmland). It's not always liked by farmers if you hop fences or open/cross gates (unless you are sure it's a designated hiking trail or intended that way) but use common sense and you will be fine. There is a fine line between your right to roam and a farmers right and duty to protect his cattle etc. and the public *from* his cattle.
Comment by SufficientMacaroon1 at 04/06/2020 at 16:50 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
There are maps called "Wanderkarte" (hike-map) that show good walking paths. You should be able to get them for every region.
In general, you are allowed to walk most paths. Forbidden paths will be marked as such. However, be careful in the forrests. Stay on the path! Amd find out if there are wild animals that could be dangerous. I am from northern bavaria and we, for example, have a huge population of wild boar. Just last year a couple was chased on a pile of rocks where they had to wait for a long time befor getting rescued.