German Alpine Association views Battert-Felsen climbing ban as excessive
The Baden Wall, a popular climbing area in Germany, has been the subject of a legal dispute as the year-round climbing ban enforced since 2022 is being challenged at the Administrative Court of Karlsruhe.
The ban, put in place to protect the strictly protected peregrine falcon, which has been breeding at the Baden Wall for years, has been the centre of controversy. The German Alpine Club (DAV), which supports climbing activities and conservation, considers the ban excessive and questions its effectiveness in improving the peregrine falcon's breeding success.
An ornithologist will be heard during today's oral hearing at the Administrative Court of Karlsruhe, following an expert opinion disputing the claim that the number of fledged young peregrine falcons has increased since the ban.
The Karlsruhe Regional Council attributes previous breeding failures to disturbances by climbers. However, the DAV is calling for a return to the previous seasonal climbing ban during the breeding season at the Baden Wall.
It's important to note that, as of mid-2025, there has been no widely publicized final or permanent year-round climbing ban verdict at this location, and the DAV usually advocates for seasonal regulations rather than permanent closures. For the latest and definitive information, checking directly with the German Alpine Club's official website or local environmental authority statements on the Battert nature reserve is recommended.
A verdict could be sent to the parties involved later today, shedding light on the future of climbing at the Baden Wall. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
Other scientific data suggests that the seasonal ban, rather than the year-round ban, may have a more positive impact on the peregrine falcon's environmental-science, allowing climbers during sports seasons to coexist with the birds without significant disruption. The German Alpine Club continues to advocate for this approach, awaiting the Administrative Court of Karlsruhe's decision on the matter.
