Folding pole, comprising at least three, preferably at least four pipe sections, wherein the pipe sections are connected to each other by means of plug-in connections whilst aligned along the pole axis in the assembled state of the folding pole, and at least two pipe sections (8, 8', 9) are still connected to each other by means of a movable connecting element in the folded state, and wherein a pole handle is arranged on an uppermost pipe section and a pole tip is arranged on a lowermost pipe section wherein at least one of the plug-in connections is achieved by means of an external clamping mechanism, in which the clamping mechanism is fastened to a first pipe section, and in which a second pipe section, which has an outside diameter smaller than or approximately equal to the inside diameter of the first pipe section, and which is supported in the first pipe section so as to be movable itself, can be fixed in the relative axial position by the external clamping mechanism or wherein at least one of the plug-in connections is achieved by means of a positive snap-in locking device on a second pipe section, wherein the second pipe section has an outside diameter smaller than or approximately equal to the inside diameter of a first pipe section and can be slid into the first pipe section and can be fixed in the relative axial position by the positive snap-in locking device, wherein the further plug-in connections are configured as pure plug-in connections, in which pipe sections (8, 8', 9) are fastened only in an axial direction in the connected state, wherein the pipe sections are connected to each other by means of at least one tension cable, which is fastened to the lowermost pipe section and to the uppermost pipe section and which is arranged so as to pass through the interior of the at least two middle pipe sections (8, 8'), wherein the further plug-in connections are configured in such a manner that on one pipe section they have a guide pin provided with an axially running central through opening for the tension cable, which is firmly fastened in this pipe section with a fastening section and axially opposite thereto has a pin region which can be slid into the other pipe section, wherein between fastening section and pin region there is provided a radially circumferential outwardly directed contact flange which in the assembled state is brought into axial contact with the pipe end of the other pipe section and/or with a pipe closure sleeve provided thereon, and wherein the folding pole is configured in such a manner that the folding pole can be transferred from the folded state to the assembled state by connecting the further plug-in connections and then, with the external clamping mechanism released or with the snap-in locking device released, pulling the second pipe section out of the first pipe section until the tension cable is under tension, and fixing the external clamping mechanism or the positive snap-in locking device. at least one of the plug-in connections is achieved by means of an external clamping mechanism, in which the clamping mechanism is fastened to a first pipe section, and in which a second pipe section, which has an outside diameter smaller than or approximately equal to the inside diameter of the first pipe section, and which is supported in the first pipe section so as to be movable itself, can be fixed in the relative axial position by the external clamping mechanism or wherein at least one of the plug-in connections is achieved by means of a positive snap-in locking device on a second pipe section, wherein the second pipe section has an outside diameter smaller than or approximately equal to the inside diameter of a first pipe section and can be slid into the first pipe section and can be fixed in the relative axial position by the positive snap-in locking device,