What do the white, yellow, red, and green colors of hiking trails mean?
There are many trekking enthusiasts in Spain, and the enormous variety of landscapes makes it one of the best places in the world for impressive hiking trails. From small, short paths that lead to hidden treasures to long-distance trails that stretch for thousands of kilometers, there are spectacular routes throughout the country to explore the most fascinating nature.
Of course, some people don't have much experience exploring trails and may be a little confused when they see some of the markings indicating the path they're taking. It's very common to come across white, red, yellow, or green signs painted on trees or somewhere along the path, and although they may seem unimportant, they are actually crucial to completing the route without incident; therefore, it's essential to know what they mean.
These signs are generally standardized so that all hikers can understand them, regardless of where they are in Spain. They generally appear in pairs, with one white marker and the other a different shade. Depending on the color scheme encountered by hikers, one path or another will be ahead.
For example, a white and green sign indicates a local trail (SL) with a total distance of less than 10 kilometers. On the other hand, a white and yellow marker indicates that hikers are on a short-distance trail (PR), which ranges in distance from 10 to 50 kilometers, meaning trekking enthusiasts have plenty of room to explore.
On the other hand, those who see a white marker next to a green one should know that they are on a Long Distance (GR) trail, which is over fifty kilometers long and presents a real challenge. Furthermore, users sometimes encounter markers of multiple colors next to each other, and it's important to understand their meaning: different trails run along that stretch.
In addition to the color code, it's also important to know certain indications these signs can give. Depending on their position, they indicate the route to continue so hikers don't get lost. Sometimes they're even shaped like a cross to warn intrepid hikers who might be straying from the route.
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