March 26, 2026, 11:07 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Hiking is often dismissed as a boring hobby for retirees. However, it can become quite risky if you wander carelessly through nature. Steep slopes, poisonous plants, or dangerous animals are real risks. But don’t worry, you can avoid them if you know how. One warning sign all hikers should be aware of is a particular, strong herbal smell.
Even now, when it’s still cold and occasionally snowy, many Germans are drawn to the local forests. Whether on a multi-day hike or just a Sunday stroll in nature, as soon as you notice a strong herbal smell, you should turn back quickly, or you might face an unpleasant encounter. Many people don’t know that wild boars have a strong herbal smell, similar to the German condiment Maggi!
“The typical smell of wild boars resembling Maggi is often associated with the consumption of herbs like lovage, but it has nothing to do with the animals’ diet,” explains Derk Ehlert, wildlife and hunting consultant for the Berlin Senate Department for Urban Development, in an interview with TRAVELBOOK. “The distinctive smell is produced by body odor compounds that coincidentally resemble the scent of Maggi. Especially during the breeding season (rutting season) of wild boars, the smell can linger for several hours after the animals have passed.”
You Could Attract Wild Boars with Maggi
Another curiosity: Wild boars not only smell like Maggi, but they are also particularly interested in the world-famous seasoning sauce. Apparently, wild boars can be attracted with Maggi, reveals wildlife biologist Konstantin Börner to “infranken.de“—presumably due to the glutamate it contains. However, you should definitely avoid attracting them. Especially in spring, wild boars can become very aggressive.
How to Behave During a Wild Boar Encounter
Proper behavior during a wild boar encounter is crucial. If it can no longer be avoided, according to the animal protection organization PETA, you should pay attention to the following:
- If you happen to encounter wild boars while hiking in nature, you should definitely keep your distance, especially if it’s a sow, a wild boar mother with her young.
- Additionally, you should heed warning signals. If wild boars feel threatened, they snort, raise their tails, or clatter their teeth. In these cases, extra caution is advised, and you should slowly and calmly retreat. Avoiding sudden movements or loud noises is crucial, as they could provoke the animals.
- If an attack occurs, you should clap your hands loudly and adopt a large, threatening posture—don’t run away! This intimidation tactic should, according to PETA, prompt the wild boar to retreat.