Vaping is generally permitted in the Black Forest, but is subject to similar rules and regulations as smoking: Discretion is advised indoors, on public transport, and at popular viewpoints; outdoors, you must observe fire safety regulations. This guide provides the most important information for a relaxing holiday between Feldberg , Triberg, and the Kinzig Valley.
Before arrival: Prepare your equipment thoroughly.
If you're planning a multi-day trip to the Black Forest, you should check your equipment before you leave, rather than having to search for replacements on site. Coils age, batteries lose capacity over time, and a leaking tank in your backpack is particularly annoying in the middle of a hiking trail. It's essential to have sufficiently charged batteries, at least one spare coil for each atomizer you use, and enough e-liquid for the duration of your trip. If you'd like to replenish your supplies or order a starter kit before your vacation, you'll find a wide range of devices, e-liquids, and accessories in the online e-cigarette shop – including personal advice and free shipping on orders over €39.
When transporting lithium batteries, never carry them loose in your pocket with coins or keys. A small hard case protects them from short circuits. E-liquid bottles are best transported upright in a zip-top bag.
Vaping in holiday apartments, hotels and guesthouses
Even though vaping e-liquid doesn't produce tobacco smoke, many accommodations have similar rules to those for cigarettes. Vacation rentals often include a no-smoking policy in their house rules, which frequently also covers e-cigarettes. If you want to be on the safe side, check with the host before booking or vape on the balcony, terrace, or in the garden – always being considerate of neighbors and fellow travelers.
Similar rules apply in hotels and guesthouses. Some establishments offer designated smoking areas, which you can also use as a vaper. Vaping is generally discouraged in the breakfast room, spa area, and other public indoor spaces. This simple rule of thumb avoids arguments and protects your relationship with your host, especially in family-run businesses in the Black Forest.
On the trails and at viewpoints
The Black Forest encompasses large protected areas with sensitive forests, including the Black Forest National Park . Therefore, when hiking around Feldberg, Belchen , Hornisgrinde, or within the national park, the following rules apply: no open fires, no embers, and no carelessly discarded remnants. Important in Baden-Württemberg: From March 1st to October 31st, smoking is generally prohibited in the forest. E-cigarettes have a technical advantage here, as they produce no ash or cigarette butts. Nevertheless, empty pods, defective coils, and old cotton pads do not belong in the forest, but rather in the nearest trash can or back in your backpack.
At popular viewpoints such as the Triberg Waterfalls, the shores of Lake Schluchsee, or Lake Mummelsee, consideration is advised. Families with children and older visitors often find thick clouds of vapor bothersome, even without the smell of tobacco. Taking a few steps away, with the wind at your back, is usually the simplest solution.
Train, bus and Black Forest Railway
Vaping is generally prohibited on public transport in the Black Forest, from the Black Forest Railway and the Höllental Railway to local buses and mountain railways. This usually also applies at train stations outside of clearly designated smoking areas. If you are arriving by car and parking in an underground garage, you should also refrain from vaping there, as many garages have smoking and vaping bans.
Storage under heat, cold and altitude
The high altitudes of the Black Forest bring significant temperature fluctuations. In summer, your car heats up quickly on the Black Forest High Road – a strain on lithium batteries that can, in extreme cases, lead to damage. Therefore, battery packs and spare batteries should not be left in the parked vehicle, but rather in your backpack or accommodation. In winter, on the other hand, batteries noticeably lose power in freezing temperatures; an inside jacket pocket keeps them close to your body and ready for use.
With this preparation, little stands in the way of relaxing days among fir forests, Black Forest farms and high moors – and the steam remains what it should be: a discreet companion, not a point of contention on your holiday.
