Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Hikers on new trail in Germany may see more "nature" than they want
Apparently, nudity is big in Germany. The German Nudist Association organizes outings for naturalists to nude beaches and campgrounds and now, there's even a special path for naked hikers. Yeah, I said naked hikers.
The 11-mile long trail will run from Dankerode to the Wippertal dam and officially opens in May. The trail will be marked with signs warning hikers that nudists are in the area. "If you don't want to see people with nothing on then you should refrain from moving on!" one says. While Germans anxious to hike au naturel have been trying out the unfinished trail, not everyone is excited to encounter naked hikers. The nearby town of Appenzell has banned nude hikers - anyone caught hiking in the buff, an act town officials have called "shameless behavior", faces fines of up to £120.
I can kind of see the appeal of nude beaches - I'm no fan of tan lines - but nude hiking makes no sense to me. Poison oak and mosquito bites in uncomfortable places and sore, um, jiggly bits? No thanks. But I'm glad that those with a passion for hiking in their birthday suits now have a place to go. And I'll echo the sentiments of the Deputy Director at the German National Tourist Office: "To the locals I would say: hike and let hike. To the nude hikers, I would say: Mind the brambles and high thistles." Ouch!
[via Daily Mail]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Babel Sep 24th 2009 5:19PM
yeah its nice here in germany :) nature pur and free feeling :)
Zach Sep 24th 2009 8:59PM
The Germans are issuing fines in British pounds? That'd be a great extra punishment: not only do offenders have to pay, but first they have to exchange their euros for pounds..
Andrew Oct 9th 2009 4:18AM
Come on, there are weirder things going on, here in Saxony they have regular hours at the local swimming pool (indoors), where swimming is only allowed nude. I am not sure if the rescue swimmers have to be naked to, but it would be nice to catch a glimpse of the girls.