felsteg

Felsteg is a German noun that can refer to several related concepts, typically based on the combination of Fels (rock, cliff) and Steg (path, deck, bridge). In a general sense, felsteg can denote a rock-ledged route or a footpath that runs along or over a rock face, often encountered in mountainous terrain. The term is commonly used in hiking and climbing literature to describe narrow ledges or man-made steps that facilitate passage across sheer rock surfaces. Because of the hazardous nature of such features, felstegs are often accompanied by route descriptions, safety warnings, and, where present, fixed protection like chains or handrails.

In onomastics, Felsteg is also used as a toponym in some German-speaking regions. It may designate places located near rocky outcrops, escarpments, or former bascule footbridges. As a place name, it does not point to a single, universally known location.

Etymology: Felsteg derives from Fels (rock) + Steg (path, bridge, step). The combination reflects the geographical idea of a stepping point on or over rock.

Applications: in hiking guides, Felsteg entries describe features to be navigated with caution; in historical contexts, the term may appear in descriptions of old cliff-side routes or mountain trails.

See also: Felssteg, a related term that more explicitly refers to a rock bridge or a gangway over a cliff.