Dear Team,
Could you please provide additional clarification regarding the eligibility of hiking trail for Wayspot nominations via hiking trail markers as stickers, metail signs, painted hiking symbols?
I am located in Germany, where many hiking trails (also in other European countries) are part of standardized, official hiking networks managed by local hiking associations - for example, the Sauerländischer Gebirgsverein (SGV). These clubs maintain official hiking routes using official metal signs, stickers, or painted markers on trees (as a country standard) to indicate the trails.
However, many Wayfarer reviewers seem to reject such nominations on the basis that stickers or painted trail markers are “non-permanent”, even when they are part of an official trail. In practice, these markers are regularly maintained by hiking club volunteers - it means whenever a metail sign, sticker or painted trail marker are damaged or missing, they are directly replaced by a new one sign/sticker or repainted by hiking club members. Or when a trail is discontinued, the signs are officially removed or painted over (often with black paint). This clearly shows that the signage is not temporary or unofficial.
Unfortunately, the lack of clear guidance has led to inconsistent review results and confusion within the local Wayfarer community. Therefore, I kindly request that the Wayfarer team issue explicit clarification or updated guidance - preferably confirming that official hiking trail signs (including metal signs, maintained stickers, or painted markers) are eligible and should not be rejected solely for being perceived as temporary.
Such clarification would greatly help in improving nomination quality and reviewer alignment across the community.
P.S.: I’m aware of the hiking trail eligibility post shared by Tintino, but I believe this European-specific case is not fully addressed there. The examples given often don’t reflect how official trails are managed in countries like Germany, where signage is not always a standalone marker or board, but rather part of a maintained trail system using stickers, small metal signs or painted symbols.