Signs on walking trails in Poland and the Czech Republic: A guide to the Jizera Mountains region

The beginnings of marking hiking trails in the Jizera Mountains date back to the time when the first tourist organisations started marking hiking trails for mountain lovers. In Poland, the birth of marked hiking is considered to be at the end of the 19th century, when the Tatra Society began systematically marking trails in the Tatras. Over the years, the marking system has been introduced in other mountainous regions of the country, including the Jizera Mountains.

In the Czech Republic, on the other hand, tourist organisations such as the Czech Hikers' Club, which was founded in 1888, played a key role in developing marked trails. Czechoslovak trail marking has sometimes been a model to follow, and their trail colouring system, derived from the Austrian model, is still considered one of the oldest and best organised in Europe.

The signposting of hiking trails in the Jizera Mountains on the Polish and Czech sides, although similar in many respects, also shows some differences. Both countries use colour coding - in Poland the main trails are marked in red, blue, yellow and green, according to the Polish System of Tourist Signs. In the Czech Republic, in addition to the aforementioned colours for hiking trails, black is used to mark difficult mountain trails and blue for cycle trails.

Another difference is the positioning of the signs - in the Czech Republic it is more common to see signs on special sign posts and other infrastructure elements, while in Poland it is predominant to mark directly on natural ground, such as trees or rocks. The way in which additional information is presented also varies - Polish signs often contain additional symbols, while Czech signs contain textual directions.

Maintaining proper etiquette and safety rules on the trail is not only a matter of personal comfort, but also of respect towards other hikers and nature. Above all, it is important to observe the rule of leaving footprints behind you only on marked trails and not littering. While descenders have priority on the trail, it is also important not to walk dogs on long leads, where they may obstruct the path or create a hazard.

Safety on the trail also means using the right equipment, such as maps, torches and mackintoshes, and informing family or friends of your planned route. It is also worth remembering to assess your own capabilities and not to overestimate your fitness - in the mountains, weather and terrain conditions change quickly and adequate preparation can be crucial.

The cultural and linguistic differences between Poland and the Czech Republic are also reflected in the perception and use of signposting for walking trails. Poles, brought up on the PTTK signposting system, are used to specific markings that may be interpreted slightly differently in the Czech Republic. In Poland, a system of coloured signs - blue, green, yellow and red - is well-established to refer to specific types of routes, whereas in the Czech Republic, although the colours are similar, they may have different meanings or be used in slightly different conventions.

It is also important to remember that some symbols may be interpreted differently. For example, the red triangle or the green cross have different connotations in the Czech Republic than in the Polish trail system. This can lead to some confusion among Polish tourists who are going on a trail in the Czech Republic for the first time. It is worth noting that Czech tourists in Poland may encounter different markings of tourist sites, which creates the need for thorough preparation before crossing the border.

The language in which the information on signs or road signs is presented is also important. Although English or German is often used in popular tourist destinations, local place or object names may only be written in the language of the country, requiring an understanding of basic phrases in the foreign language or the use of electronic aids such as translation apps.