Wanderlust-Wiki

Understand the signs. Find your way.

Signs in forests and on the trail: a selection of common symbols and regional route markings.

There is no single worldwide forest-sign system. Our original SVG drawings are simplified learning illustrations, not official or certified templates. Additional wording, local rules and current closures take precedence.

Rules & restrictions

Germany · Thuringia example

Owl: nature reserve

In Thuringia an owl on a yellow sign identifies a nature reserve. Other German states also use different symbols. Read the reserve rules and supplementary panels: the symbol alone does not explain every restriction.

Thüringer Schulportal · Verhalten im Naturschutzgebiet ↗

Many protected areas; Harz example

No open flames

A crossed-out flame prohibits open fire. Harz National Park also prohibits camping stoves. Read additional wording and local rules.

Nationalpark Harz · Verhalten ↗

Protected areas; local rules

No camping

A crossed-out tent indicates no camping. Local rules determine whether this also includes bivouacking.

Nationalpark Harz · Verhalten ↗

Widely used safety signage

No entry

A crossed-out person means do not enter. Respect barriers even when the path beyond looks clear.

Health and Safety Executive · Safety signs ↗

Local path restrictions

No bicycles

A crossed-out bicycle excludes bicycles. Read the wording: dismounting and pushing is not automatically permitted everywhere.

Nationalpark Harz · Verhalten ↗

Local rule; Harz example

Keep dogs on a lead

A dog on a lead asks you to keep your dog leashed. This applies year-round in Harz. Designs and exceptions vary elsewhere.

Nationalpark Harz · Verhalten ↗

Warnings

Widely used safety signage

Warning: hazard

A yellow triangle with an exclamation mark is a general warning. Read the additional wording to understand the hazard.

Health and Safety Executive · Safety signs ↗

Working forests; England example

Forestry operations

Warnings and closures may indicate tree felling or machinery. Follow diversions and stay outside work areas. Our drawing is a simplified example.

Forestry England · Safety in the forest ↗

Information & help

Germany · Thuringia example

Forest rescue meeting point

Rescue meeting points have a unique identifier. In an emergency give the actual sign identifier and incident location to the emergency operator and follow their instructions. Help is not permanently stationed here. Our illustration deliberately has no real location code.

Thüringer Gesetz- und Verordnungsblatt · Rettungspunkte ↗

European Union · protected-area network

Natura 2000: protected habitats

Natura 2000 is the European protected-area network. A notice does not mean a blanket entry ban: local conservation rules apply. Our panel is an original illustration, not a reproduction of the official Natura 2000 logo.

Europäische Kommission · Natura 2000 ↗

Widely used safety signage

First aid

A white cross on green identifies first-aid facilities or equipment. It does not guarantee a staffed station. Follow any directional information.

HSE · Safety signs and signals ↗

USA / National Park Service example

Information

An “i” points to information or an information point. Look for route details, rules and current notices.

National Park Service · Pictographic symbols ↗

USA / National Park Service example

Tent campsite

A tent without a prohibition slash can mark a campsite. It does not establish availability, booking requirements or permits.

National Park Service · Pictographic symbols ↗

USA / National Park Service example

Hiking trail

A walking figure identifies a hiking trail or activity. The symbol alone does not tell you how difficult the route is.

National Park Service · Pictographic symbols ↗

Regional trail markers

Austria · Carinthia example

Red–white–red with route number

In Carinthia red–white–red bars mark mountain routes, often with a black route number in the white band. They do not indicate difficulty. Do not equate them with Swiss white–red–white markings; systems also differ within Austria.

Österreichischer Alpenverein · Bergwege in Kärnten ↗

German & Austrian Alps · regional

Blue dot: easy mountain trail

In this Alpine Club system blue indicates easy mountain trails. They can still be narrow or steep. Sure-footedness and suitable equipment remain necessary. This is not a Europe-wide classification.

Deutscher Alpenverein · Schwierigkeitsgrade ↗

German & Austrian Alps · regional

Red dot: moderately difficult trail

Red here indicates moderately difficult mountain trails, which may include exposed and secured sections. Sure-footedness and a head for heights matter. Read local information and the route description.

Deutscher Alpenverein · Schwierigkeitsgrade ↗

German & Austrian Alps · regional

Black dot: difficult mountain trail

Black here indicates difficult mountain trails with demanding, sometimes exposed sections and possible scrambling. Alpine experience, secure movement and a realistic assessment of your abilities are required.

Deutscher Alpenverein · Schwierigkeitsgrade ↗

Europe · international long-distance paths

E1: European long-distance path

A blue sign with yellow stars and an E-number can identify a European long-distance path. These routes use national and regional trail networks; additional E-markers are not present everywhere. E1 does not indicate section difficulty.

European Hiking Federation · E-paths ↗