Today I’m sharing a more lighthearted look at something that became so important to us as we explored the Gargano Peninsular and quite literally pointed the way ahead as we undertook the routes between our accommodation (our bags were transferred ahead of us) and the circular routes helping us explore our current location.

We became quite adept at spotting them as we walked, and quite often they also lifted your spirits especially towards the end of the walk. No one likes unintended detours, or worse having to retrace your steps, especially when the kilometres have already racked up.

Several of the way markers we so though, did make me smile - like this one, they really didn’t want you to miss it did they?

A tree in the forest marked with two red arrows and a white arrow in between - all pointing right

Another tree marking - top a red dot circled in white, but with the tree markings looks like a fish to me, beneath it is the white/red dash marking, and a large heart carved into the tree's trunk

We were used to following the white and red dash marks on previous walks and holidays we’ve been on, but a few new ones appeared on this trip; the red and white circle above - which wierdly looks like a fish to me, and also some yellow and black markings.

A yellow circle edged in black on a tree trunk, with some illegible stenciled text below in yellow

Often they’d appear together.

The white/red dash on the left and yellow/black circle meet on a tree trunk

And on opposing ‘sides’ of the tree. Which I’m sure made perfect sense as you approached the tree from either direction, but standing alongside the tree just spelled confusion.

A black arrow pointing left, a yellow and black circle and red markings on the left. on the right of the tree is a red and white inverted L mark and a yellow dash

In the heart of forest they was clearer signage, as you’d expect - no one wants anyone lost in there! It’s also more geared up to day visitors so it made sense, and it was much appreciated as being able to follow the signs without relying heavily on our walking notes was appreciated.

Wooden signposts with place names and distances in the Foresta Umbra

Likewise on the Pilgrim Trail the signage was good, though as this was a move on day we were still checking the walking notes to make sure we didn’t stray off our route unintentionally. Though once we got to the bottom of the valley, with the only way being up we focussed on getting up there rather than the notes!

Another wooden sign on the Pilgrim trail, this one is edge with red and white stripes and a red point for the direction

The Pilgrim trail signs changed slightly but retain their red and white stripes.

On this route we did encounter some ad-hoc gates too, not all of them like this one came with modern conveniences!

Alongside the red/white stripe topped pole is a discarded WC with a homemade metal gate tied to the tree

But it was the yellow and black markings which we followed as we headed up Mount Saraceno as the trip drew to a close, and they didn’t want you missing any turns either.

painted on the side of the rock is a large yellow circle and arrow beneath, both edged in black - the arrow points right

A yellow arrow edged with black pointing up - but is actually ahead, as this one was painted onto the ground

These were hard to miss, but somehow that last walk was the walk where we needed to retrace our steps - thankfully not by much though. All of the markers are much appreciated by many walkers, so this is definitely a post to celebrate the markers and those that maintain them.

Vive the way markers!