Naked hiking: it's not for everyone. Photo: 3 Neus ![[CC-2.0]](/lib/img/layout/cc-attr.gif)
Walkers who love the feel of the wind in the Trossachs can indulge themselves on a new trail in Germany.
Campsite owner Heinz Ludwig has set up a hiking route for minimalist walkers. No Gore-tex or Polartec necessary on Heinz’s trail: it’s for naturists. The 18km (11-mile) track leads through the Harz mountains of the central state of Saxony-Anhalt.
Previously best known for the phenomenon named after the range’s highest mountain, the Brocken, which has given the its name to the enlarged shadow cast by mountaineers on cloud inversions, the Harz will now be the scene of some more extraordinary sights, as ramblers clad only in boots and rucksacks pound the trail.
A Brocken Spectre. Photo: Σ64
Although naked hiking has a determined following in Germany, Herr Ludwig claims the route near the village of Dankerode will be the first official nudist route. Signs will be erected to warn those who may be offended, but clothed walkers will still be welcome.
The trail will officially open next May, though naturist walkers are already using it.
Naturism – Freikörperkultur – is big in Germany: its body, the German Society of Nudists, has 50,000 members.
Karla and Stuart admire the view to Meall Ghlas
Naked walkers have not always trodden a smooth path, with the conservative Swiss canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden threatening a fine of 200 Swiss francs to those who let it all hang out. Britain’s home-grown Naked Rambler, Stephen Gough, has spent more time in Scottish jails than out on the mountains as he battles the legal system north of the Border. And a young couple called Karla and Stuart had to take down their Naked Munros website due to excessive prurient interest from certain representatives of Her Majesty’s Press.
sara
25 September 2009To me, being nude is being the same person but in a sensually charged ambience that is very pleasurable. Indeed I prefer being with with my family and other sociable mixed gender naturists in clubs and resorts for all of our recreation or relaxation. My personal best was three weeks vacation at Euronat resort in France, with everything except sandals put away for the entire duration. The strangenes of shirt and shorts to depart there was almost as strange as becoming a naturist many years before. As regards sex-life; being nude together promotes an appreciation of the pleasure that gan be given one to another. Enjoy our clothing free lifestyle!
sara
27 September 2009Naturist look like you and I and come from all walks of life. You will find it to be a relaxing lifestyle that is free of the daily stress we all experience. Naturist groups are looking for people who are open minded and want to enjoy the company of others of a like mind.
ian from kent
11 February 2010I love walking clothesfree, its a wonderful feeling to be so close to nature, I have noticed that where I walk semi-wild ponies will come up to me whereas when I have been clothed they wont! Its like they appreciate my natural state. Although I dont want to offend other walkers, Im doing nothing illegal and I would hope that the simple sight of another walker albeit clothesfree will not be offensive in this day and age. And yes, with my wife we spent a happy naked 14 days at Euronat on the French Atlantic coast, like "centerparcs" but clothesfree, wonderful!