If you’re planning a hiking trip to a German-speaking destination like Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and/or South Tyrol in Italy, it’s helpful to know some basic hiking-related vocabulary.
These German hiking words will help you read trail signage, warnings, and maps. They will also help you navigate mountain huts (opening times, booking, payment).
This vocab list is especially useful for those embarking on hut-to-hut hikes.

German-Speaking Hiking Destinations and Trails
- Liechtenstein: Liechtenstein Panorama Trail
- Switzerland: Appenzell Hikes
- South Tyrol, Italy: Dolomites including Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Val di Funes, Alta Pusteria, and Alpe di Siusi
- Austria: Best Hikes in Austria and Best Treks in Austria
- Germany: Best Hikes in Bavaria including Garmisch-Partenkirchen Hikes and Berchtesgarden Hikes
Greetings

Hallo: Hi!
Servus: Hi / Bye!
Servas: Hi / Bye!
Griaß di: Howdy (to one person)!
Griaß eich: Howdy (to two or more people)!
Griaß enk: Howdy (to two or more people)!
Grüß Gott: Hello! It originally comes from the phrase “May God Bless You.”
Farewell Salutations
Pfiat di: Bye to one person!
Pfiat eich: Farewell to two or more people
Pfiat enk: Farewell to two or more people
Auf Wiedersehen: Goodbye
Tschüss: Bye
Servus: Hi / Bye!
Servas: Hi / Bye!
Geography

Berg: mountain
Joch: notch, or saddle
Scharte: wind gap, or notch
Bergsattel: mountain saddle
Spitze: peak
Gipfel: peak
Kamm: ridge
Grat: ridge
Bach: stream
Tal: valley
Alm, or Alpe: alpine pasture
Wald: forest
See: lake
Fluss: river
Mountain Huts

Hütte: mountain hut
Öffnungszeiten: opening times
Lage: location
Zustieg: approach
Hüttenpächter/Hüttenpächterin: Hut manager
Wirt: host, innkeeper
Preise: price
Kosten: costs
Barzahlung: cash payment
Anzahlung: deposit
Zimmer: room
Matratzenlager: mattress dormitory
Mehrbettzimmer: rooms with multiple beds
Zweibettzimmer: rooms with 2 beds
Trockenraum: drying room
Hüttenschuhe / Hauschuhe: hut shoes like crocs
Dusche: shower
Münze: coin
Gaststube: parlour, lounge, restaurant
Speisesaal: dining room
Related | Hut-to-Hut-Hiking in Austria and Hut-to-Hut Hiking in the Dolomites
Alpine Pastures

Alm / Alp: alpine pasture
Almhütte: alpine pasture hut
Nicht Bewirtschaftet: not managed. When an Alm is not managed, it means they don’t sell food and drinks.
Bewirtschaftet: managed. When an Alm is managed, they sell food and drinks during the day.
Ruhetag: rest day. Many alpine pasture huts have rest days (e.g. closed Tuesdays). Some Almhütten are only open when the weather is good.
Achtung Weidevieh: Attention grazing cattle/animals
Related | Visiting the Alps in Summer: Things to Know
Hiking

Wanderung: a hike
Bergwanderung: a mountain hike
Weitwanderweg: long distance trail
Etappe: stage
Nur für Geübte: only for experienced (hikers)
Ungesicherter Steig: unprotected route.
Klettersteig: via ferrata route
Steil: steep
Ausgesetzt: exposed
Anspruchsvoll: Challenging
Einfach: easy
Vorsicht: attention
Steinschlag: rockfall
Lawinengefahr: danger of avalanches
Mure: landslide / mudflow
Rutschgefahr: slip hazard
Wegsperre: blocked path
Verletzung: injury
Hilfe: help
Wettervorhersage: weather forecast
Cableways

Seilbahn: Gondola
Sessellift: Chairlift
Bergstation: mountain station
Talstation: valley station
Food

Speisekarte: menu
Selbstbedienung: self-service, where you order and pick up your food at the counter.
Halbpension: half board (breakfast and dinner)
Frühstück: breakfast
Abendessen: dinner
For specific food dishes (soups, main dishes, vegetarian dishes, desserts) and drinks, read our guide to visiting Austrian Mountain Huts.

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