The Local Germany

Wild garlic and nettles: The spring herbs to forage for in Germany

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 17:41:13 +0200

Foraging for edible plants can be a fun way to connect with Germany's nature and traditions. Here are some of the herbs you can find, harvest and eat in spring.

German killed in Swiss avalanche, four other skiers hurt

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 10:30:21 +0100

A German man has been killed in an avalanche in the Swiss alps and four other people were hurt as they were cross-country skiing, Swiss police said Saturday.

Austrian rescuers save 100 German school children stuck while hiking in Alps

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 18:46:13 +0200

More than 100 German school children and teachers had to be rescued, most of them airlifted to safety, after getting stuck on an Alpine hiking trail, described online as a "classic after-work tour," police said Wednesday.

Waldeinsamkeit: Five of the best forest walks around Berlin

Sat, 08 May 2021 00:50:00 +0200

Though Berlin is a bustling metropolitan city, you may be surprised to find a number of beautiful forests within touching distance of the capital.

Weekend Wanderlust: Chasing a hoax across the Black Forest

Fri, 23 Nov 2018 18:16:09 +0100

The Black Forest was voted the most popular destination amongst our readers. It was mine too - but, perhaps, for all the wrong reasons. It took an icy winter trip to find out.

Weekend Wanderlust: Scenery as far as the eye can see in Saxon Switzerland

Fri, 16 Nov 2018 11:08:59 +0100

An easy day-trip from Dresden or even Berlin, the uniquely beautiful Saxon Switzerland is not to be missed, including when temperatures dip.

Tributes paid after body of Canadian hiker missing in Bavarian Alps found

Tue, 28 Aug 2018 18:35:48 +0200

Tributes have been paid to a Canadian teacher who died while hiking in the Bavarian Alps.

Desperate search underway for Canadian hiker missing in southern Germany

Fri, 17 Aug 2018 14:24:24 +0200

A search is underway for a Canadian hiker who has been missing for more than two weeks.

Body of German missing for 30 years found on Swiss glacier

Wed, 02 Aug 2017 13:16:58 +0200

The remains of a German hiker who went missing in August 1987 have been found on a glacier near Saas-Grund in the canton of Valais, police have said.

Bavaria fights activist assault on cow bells

Mon, 24 Aug 2015 12:48:44 +0200

Animal rights activists have demanded that one of the signature sounds of the Bavarian Alps – the gentle ringing of distant cow bells – be brought to an end, claiming it is cruel to the animals.

Nudist walkers told to keep their clothes on

Fri, 07 Aug 2015 15:01:37 +0200

Would-be naked ramblers faced disappointment in Brandenburg this week – as plans for a nudist walking route were put on hold.

Taking a hike is officially good for health

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:07:00 +0200

Fresh air and a walk always feels good for you – now a study has proven it, with a study showing hiking can not only lead to weight loss but also lower blood pressure and increased stamina.

Climbing legends in the Dahner Felsenland

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:02:00 +0200

Looking for “legendary” rock climbing, Matt Herron heads to Rhineland-Palatinate’s Dahner Felsenland.

Mountain climbers go missing in Afghanistan

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 15:55:00 +0200

Fears are growing that two German men who went missing several days ago after setting off to climb snow-capped mountains in war-torn Afghanistan could have been kidnapped, officials said Tuesday.

Outdoors clothes companies making major inroads

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 09:39:00 +0200

A paradise for outdoor clothing and accessories, Germany is drawing the attention of the sector's major players.

Wandering around Saxony's answer to Switzerland

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 09:01:00 +0200

Famous for its dramatic gorges, sandstone rock formations and spas, Siobhan Dowling visits Saxony’s very own Switzerland.

Discovering Germany's oldest hiking trail in Thuringia

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 09:48:00 +0200

Virtually unknown to foreigners, Germany’s oldest hiking trail, the Rennsteig, winds deep into the country’s “green heart” in Thuringia. Gentle panoramic views, a host of outdoor activities and cosy hospitality make for a restorative getaway.

Heaven and Earth: Gliding and hiking in the Rhön

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 12:18:00 +0200

The picturesque Rhön Mountain region is Germany’s mecca for gliders, but as Alannah Eames discovers, the surrounding UNESCO Biosphere Reserve offers plenty of great hiking and other activities.

Four German hikers found alive after three days in snow

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 10:38:00 +0200

Four German hikers have been found alive in the Austrian mountains after getting lost for three days at high altitude, police in the Tyrol region reported on Tuesday morning.

Death Valley skeletons solve riddle of missing German tourists

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:23:00 +0100

Human bones found in California’s remote Death Valley probably belong to four German tourists who disappeared in scorching summer heat 13 years ago, US police announced on Friday.