Unusual hobby: Hiking Nude in Germany

Hankering for an unusual hobby? Consider this: Germany's “first hiking trail for nudists", opened on May 29 2010 near the town of Dankerode. The trail was an instant hit, and not just among those who enjoy braving nature in the buff. Mayor Monika Rauhut even hailed the trail as "the latest attraction here in beautiful Wippertal."

This may not be such a good idea in Switzerland, where the issue of nude hiking will be taken up by the Supreme Court. However, the “unofficial spokesperson” for Swiss nude hikers, going by the moniker “Puistola Grottenposch”, is optimistic. A designated trail would allow more people to experience the ‘bodily freedom” that only hiking nude offers, with an experience that, according to him, “fills you with happiness”.

He had recently appeared in court in Appenzell-Ausserrhoden, supporting a fellow nude hiker who was unfortunately arrested for partaking in this unusual pastime.

The first year of its initiation, the German trail was met with much enthusiasm, played up initially as a "paradise" for nude hikers. Throughout this time, there were no legal problems. But there have been some red faces. The idea originated from a nearby campground owner who had hoped that the novelty of the trail would bring him more paying guests. He no longer wishes his full name to be given in the press, reports German nude-hiking aficionado Horst K. on the Nacktwandern website, which has provided information about the trail since it opened.

The proximity of the naturist trail and the family-oriented campsite proved an impossibly uphill task for the owner, whose initial fervor soon gave way to concern. Instead of trying to draw nude hikers as customers, he found himself telling them to give his campsite "a wide berth."

According to Veronique Kanel, spokeswoman for Switzerland Tourism, the country's official tourist body, the activity is not "actively promoted" by the tourism board. However, she acknowledges that "in this kind of spectacular environment, one can hardly resist the temptation to hike naked."

However, even among supporters of the birthday-suit lifestyle, nude hiking is a prickly issue. The president of the German naturists' association called nude hikers "neurotics and psychopaths." In both Germany and Switzerland, nude-hiking buffs reject the labels flat out.

"We are careful," Grottenpösch protests, citing by way of example an outing he took near Toggenburg (Appenzell, Switzerland), where he came across a group of people celebrating a religious service in a field. Grottenpösch conscientiously hid his privates with a scarf, something he carries for just such occasions. "You quickly wrap it around yourself and all conflict is avoided."