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bavarian forest tourism

A Complete Guide to Visiting Germany's Bavarian Forest

T he Bavarian Forest is one of Germany’s most beautiful natural gems. Spanning an area of more than 1,300 square miles, this lush forest is full of towering trees and breathtaking views of rolling mountains, hidden waterfalls, and densely forested trails where you’ll feel like you’re visiting the Germany of hundreds of years ago. The Bavarian Forest is only about three hours from Munich by train, making it an ideal add-on to a Munich trip for travelers looking to add a few active days to their vacation.

Here’s everything you need to know about planning a trip to the Bavarian Forest, from how to get there to what to do and where to stay.

What is the Bavarian Forest?

  • How to get there
  • Bavarian Forest National Park vs. other area parks
  • Summer in the Bavarian Forest 
  • Winter in the Bavarian Forest 
  • Bavarian Forest vs. the Black Forest 
  • Other things to do in the Bavarian Forest 
  • Where to stay 

View from Silberberg in the bavarian forest

Photo: Bodenmais Tourism Marco Felgenhauer/Woidlife Photography

The Bavarian Forest is an impressive natural region along the border of Germany and the Czech Republic. It is home to some of Europe’s most extensive ancient forests, classified as low-mountain range forests due to the altitude of roughly 1600 feet above sea level. The region boasts a landscape characterized by rolling hills, deep valleys, babbling streams, and an array of wildlife, including deer, boar, wolves, lynx, and birds.

The Bavarian Forest also has long been associated with traditional handicrafts such as woodworking and pottery, thanks to its abundance of timber from spruce trees. Most of the tourist towns in the area are relatively small and walkable villages, rather than cities, making it a popular summer destination for Munich residents. People visit here for outdoor recreation like hiking and wildlife viewing in the summer and skiing and snowshoeing in the winter, though the low elevation means hiking is available in some parts of the Bavarian Forest year-round.

How to reach the Bavarian Forest

You can book mobile tickets on the DB Navigator App (which has both English or German versions), and it’ll send you one ticket for your complete route, regardless of whether you’re switching between regional or national lines. It’ll generate a QR code in the app that you’ll show as your ticket when you get on board. Some train stations do not have ticket machines, and you can’t buy tickets on board, so be sure to download the app in advance while you have Wi-Fi.

An interior of a train in Germany. rail service is one of the best ways to get to the Bavarian Forest

Trains in Germany are easy to book, on-time, and have station announcements in both Germany and English. It’s very hard to get lost. Photo: Peeradontax /Shutterstock

Once on board, there are multiple screens in every train that alternate between two screens: screen one is the station coming up next, and screen two is the full list of upcoming stations, along with arrival times. On-board announcements are in English and German, and your ticket will tell you which platform to switch to when making connections. And the trains are almost always on time. It couldn’t be easier.

From Munich, it’s about three hours on the train to reach towns like Zweisel or Bodenmais, which makes a few days in the Bavarian forest an extremely easy add-on to a longer Munich or Germany trip.

Bavarian Forest National Park vs. nature park vs. other designations

The Hochfall Waterfall is in Bodenmais, in the Bavarian Forest Nature Park -- but it's not part of the national park of the same name.

Photo: Thilo Wagner /Shutterstock

Bavaria is one of 16 German states, and the entire Bavarian forest is within it.

The Bavarian Forest is huge, covering a large section of the state of Bavaria. Bavarian Forest National Park covers a smaller 60,000 acres within that and backs to the Czech Republic’s Šumava National Park. In Germany, national parks are mostly left in a natural state and have the highest level of conservation protection.

Also within the Bavarian forest are “nature parks,” which are protected but may have more facilities shaped by and for humans, like campgrounds, museums, and hiking trailsThere are 103 nature parks in Germany, 16 of which are in Bavaria. The closest nature parks to Bavarian Forest National Park are Bavarian Forest Nature Park (Bayerischer Wald), Northern Upper Palatinate Forest Nature Park (Oberpfalzen Wald), and Upper Bavarian Forest Nature Park (Oberer Bayerischer Wald).

Person in red jacket walking in the bavarian forest

Hiking in the deer park is an option year-round on some of the forest’s lower-elevation trails. Photo: Suzie Dundas

To make it even more confusing, there may be smaller parks within the nature parks. For example, within Bavarian Forest Nature Park is The Buchet Deer Park. Because it’s a nature park, it has some development, so you’ll find hotels like WildbergHof steps away from these places.

Finally, the Bavarian forest also has two wildlife parks. There’s no real US equivalent for these. They’re areas within the national park with huge, fenced-in areas for native fauna where you may see native wildlife. They are very unlike zoos as there’s no artificial habitat or cages, and the outdoor spaces are really, really big. The smallest of the nature parks is in Ludwigsthal and the shortest walk is 1.6 miles. It still only covers a small section of the animal areas, so you may not see any animals at all. For reference, I stood on the wolf-viewing platform for 30 minutes and saw no more than a squirrel.

A fox at a wildlife park in the Bavarian Forest in Germany

Photo: Bodenmais Tourism Marco Felgenhauer / Woidlife Photography

The second wildlife park is near Neuschönau at the Lusen Vistor Center , and the shortest route through the animal area is 4.5 miles. These aren’t zoos, and you may or may not see any animals. But admission is free, and they’re open year-round. As you may expect, they’re less busy in the winter and shoulder seasons.

The best way to think about it is that Germany national parks are akin to US national parks (albeit with a bit less development), whereas nature parks are a bit more like our national forests. They’re protected, but development is still allowed, and there are some towns within them. However, it doesn’t really matter, as you won’t notice when you’re moving between national parks or national reserves. Any forest within Bavaria that isn’t protected is what we would just consider the woods, rather than officially part of the “Bavarian Forest.”

Summer recreation in the Bavarian Forest

two people about to send it while biking in the bavarian forest

Photo: Bodemais Tourism /Marco Felgenhauer – Woidlife Photography

Hiking in Germany’s Bavarian Forest is the main draw come summer. Bavarian Forest National Park has 217 miles of hiking trails , including routes where you can cross the border into the Czech Republic. Within the Bavarian Forest are hundreds of miles of hiking trails (the “ Seven Summits ” is especially well-known) and 124 miles of mountain biking trails in the national park alone .

Rock climbing is big, with dozens of crags with dozens of routes, as are whitewater rafting and paddling. It’s an ideal summer outdoor destination and offers basically any outdoor activity you’d expect from a rural mountain area, so it’s an ideal add-on to a Munich trip if you want to squeeze in a few days of physical activity.

Person on a rock hiking high peaks in the Bavarian Forest

The outdoorsy village of Bodenmais. Photo: Bodenmais Tourism Woidlife Photography

Note that using hiking guides or going on ranger-guided hikes is very common in Germany; hiking without a guide is the exception, not the rule. That said, you certainly can hike solo, and most areas of the Bavarian Forest are extremely well-signed and easy to follow (and also listed on AllTrails). But if you do want to find a guide, they’re usually inexpensive or sometimes free. Towns like Bodenmais offer guided group tours year-round, and if you stop by any of the national or nature park visitor centers, you’ll probably find a schedule of daily guided hikes anyone can join. If you want to do an overnight backpacking trip, guides are required. But otherwise, you do you.

Winter recreation in the Bavarian Forest

Cross country skiing in the bavarian forest as shown from above

Photo: Bodenmais Tourism Woidlife Photography

There are two primary ski resorts around the Bavarian Forest, and both are extremely affordable compared to US ski resorts; ticket are no more than 40 Euro. There’s a ski bus that runs between Silberburg Ski Area and Großer Arber (Big Arbor), on the highest mountain in the Bavarian Forest.

But the real draw in the winter are non-alpine winter adventures. That includes not just winter hiking, but also snowshoeing, cross-country skiing , and more. The Bavarian Forest is home to the Bretterschachten cross-country ski center, with has 70 miles of trails, and all of the area’s hiking trails covered in snow become popular snowshoeing trails. Backcountry skiing (i.e., ski touring) is popular, though you’ll almost certainly want to use a guide for that. You can also just relax in the adorable towns to enjoy some good food and scenery for a few days.

Ski touring is popular in the many hills of the Bavarian Forest, shown here

Photo: Bodemais Tourism /Woidlife Photography

In addition to its stunning landscapes, the Bavarian Forest also boasts a rich cultural history. The region has been inhabited since ancient times and still retains much of its traditional architecture and customs. You can visit quaint villages with centuries-old churches and buildings or learn about local customs such as wood carving or beer brewing.

One of the best parts of visiting the Bavarian Forest in the winter is the guest card. Depending on what hotel you book, you’ll get a Bodenmais-area visitor card, which includes free admission to many winter recreation destinations, ski resorts included. And even the most luxurious hotels are no more than 200 Euro on peak winter weekends. It’s an exceptionally affordable place for a winter trip, especially if you’re already near Munich.

Bavarian Forest vs. The Black Forest

The Black Forest is not the same as the Bavarian Forest

Germany’s Black Forest: also dark and dense. Photo: Arthur Palmer /Shutterstock

The Bavarian Forest is not the same as the Black Forest . The Black Forest is in the southwest of Germany around the towns of Baden-Baden and Freiburg im Breisgau. It’s more touristy and tends to get more crowded and is much closer to Zurich, Switzerland , than it is to Munich or Berlin. It takes about 10 hours on the train to move between the two regions.

Note that online, you’ll find a lot of confusion and misinformation about the Black Forest and the Bavarian Forest. I’ve found a lot of recreation information and photos online credited to the Black Forest when they’re actually in the Bavarian Forest. That’s probably because the Black Forest is more well-known, but it also means the Bavarian Forest doesn’t get as much credit as it should, especially if you’re looking for multi-day cross-country (as in “crossing the borders of multiple countries”) hiking routes.

Other things to do in the Bavarian Forest

Adam Brau, a brewery and spa hotel in the bavarian forest

Outdoor adventures aside, other places to check out in the region include:

  • Glass-blowing classes at the famous JOSKA Bodenmais (a massive complex with everything from a Christmas market to restaurants to Go Karts).
  • A walk along the Treetop Walkway , one of the longest in Europe.
  • Visiting the Shnapps Museum and tasting room in Böbrach
  • Pretend you’re a beer at Adam Braü in Bodenmais. The brewery and hotel has a five-step, beer-inspired spa system you can avail yourself of, starting with the brewhouse (a Finnish sauna) and ending with icing (an ice room).
  • Learning about beer and tavern culture at the open-air Bavarian Forest Museum (Museumsdorf Bayerischer Wald)

Where to stay

Bodenmais, a town in the Bavarian Forest

The outdoorsy village of Bodenmais. Photo: Bodenmais Tourism Marco Felgenhauer / Woidlife Photography

Bodenmais is probably the most popular town to stay in. It’s near roughly 450 miles of hiking trails and has a walkable downtown with plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, beer gardens, and outdoor gear shops and guides/outfitters. From Bodenmais, visitors can take the ski or hiking shuttles and walk to the train station to connect to anywhere they need to go.

As with most towns in the Bavarian Forest, you won’t find too many chain hotels. Good options include the Hotel Kurpark (home to one of the town’s best restaurants), or more wellness-focused hotels like the affordable Natura Bodenmais (close to the popular waterfall trails) or the more upscale Mooshof Resort . Of these, Hotel Kurpark is the closest to the train station (and has incredibly fast Wi-Fi, if you’re doing any remote work while you’re there).

Further south, the most popular town in the Bavarian Forest is Grafnau. Good hotel options include The Reiners , a boutique hotel with on-site bike rentals, or the more upscale Biohotel Pausnhof , on a working organic farm.

Granfau train and train station in bavarian forest

If you’d like to stay a little more off the tourist track, consider booking a tinyhouse rental at the cute WildbergHof , near the Bavarian Forest Deer Park and hiking trails around Deggendorf.

bavarian forest tourism

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The Best Things to See and Do in the Bavarian Forest National Park

Bavarian National Park panorama

The Bavarian Forest National Park is Germany’s first and largest national park , and one of its most stunning. Its appeal lies in its abundant wilderness, which has flourished with minimal interference from man. The park promises a breathtaking landscape, majestic peaks (the most famous ones being Großer Falkenstein, Lusen, and the Großer Rachel), extensive hiking and biking trails, mirror lakes, sports opportunities, a fascinating tree-top walk, and more. Let us explore its most wonderful sights and activities together.

1. baumwipfelpfad bayerischer wald.

The tree-top walk (Baumwipfelbad) at Bavarian Forest National Park promises a close encounter with nature and adventure for the entire family. A 1,300-meter-long wooden barrier-free walkway leads visitors to the base of the dome-shaped observation tower, offering fantastic views of the forest on the way. You can also choose to participate in exciting activities en route. However, the best is saved for the last. From the 44-meter-high observation deck, you get to feast your eyes on uninterrupted views of the forest and even the snow-clad Alps.

Böhmstraße 43, 94556 Neuschönau, Germany , +49 8558 97 40 74

bavarian forest tourism

Baumwipfelpfad Bayerischer Wald | Courtesy of Erlbenis Akademie AG

2. Rachelsee

Forest, Park

The unbelievably picturesque lake , Rachelsee, lies deep in the lap of the forest at an altitude of 1,071 meters (3,514 feet). This crystal-clear mirror lake is steeped in local myths and dark legends. It is believed that the lake was named after the devil’s grandmother, Rachel. The natives also recount the story of an evil woman who was the last to sail on this lake, and on whose death, a flock of jet-black ravens accompanied the coffin.

Rachelsee, Spiegelau, Bavaria, Germany

bavarian forest tourism

Rachelsee | © vil.sandi / Flickr

The Bavarian Forest National Park has approximately 300 km (186 miles) of clearly-marked hiking trails , including hiking paths and circular trails. A hike through this dense forest, past gurgling streams and under a thick green canopy, proves to travelers that the forest really lives by its motto: Let Nature Be Nature. Over half of this forest is completely untouched by humans, which considerably ups its romance factor.

Hiking trail in Bavaria National Park

Cyclists get to enjoy the tourist highlights of the forest and also explore the more isolated regions along a 200-km-long (124 miles) clearly marked biking trail that connects the forest with Šumava National Park in the Czech Republic. At certain points that can be accessed only by hiking, there is excellent provision for storing your bikes safely. Remember that a high level of fitness is a prerequisite for cycling in this rugged, mountainous terrain. However, a mountain bike is not necessary.

Cycling in Bavaria National Forest

Winter sports

While the forest is a delightful area to explore when it basks in sunlight, it turns into a mystic land in winter. Winter finds the forest floor blanketed in a thick white carpet, the lakes frozen rock hard, and the branches heavy with the burden of snow. As most animals go into hibernation, and the stream of tourists considerably thins out, an almost eerie tranquility descends on the forest. However, several thrill-seekers arrive to indulge in cross-country skiing, tobogganing, hiking, snowshoeing, and other winter sports . The forest department is understandably extremely stringent about tourists not disturbing the peace of the forest or startling the animals in any way.

Paragliding over the forest

At the Bavarian Forest National Park, adventurous souls can indulge in geocaching – a treasure hunt for the tech-savvy. It basically means using a hand-held GPS device to locate a cache hidden in the woods. The cache is normally a container containing a logbook. It is a wonderful way for people of any age to spend a few fun hours while bonding closely with nature. Understandably, travelers who wish to indulge in geocaching need to stick to rules set by the forest department.

Geocache

3. Tierfreigelände

The Tierfreigelände is a sprawling animal enclosure without any visible barriers and made to resemble the natural habitat of the inhabitants as closely as possible. This is your chance to see 40 domestic animal species, including European bisons, wolves, wild boars, lynxes, and bears freely going about their lives. The path around the Tierfreigelände is barrier-free and promises a whole lot of excitement for the entire family. Tierfreigelände, Böhmstraße, Neuschönau, Germany

bavarian forest tourism

Wolf in Tierfreigelände | © Austriaca / Wikimedia Commons

4. Großer Arbersee

The Großer Arbersee is sure to take your breath away with its virgin, rustic charm. This lake is a memento of the Ice Age. A hike along a well-marked path around this crystal lake would reward you with views of small waterfalls, imposing peaks in the horizon, sump wells, and impenetrable wilderness. You can delve deeper into the lake in a boat and engage in some fascinating bird-watching.

Großer Arbersee, Bayerisch Eisenstein, Germany

bavarian forest tourism

Arbersee | © tassilo111 / Pixabay

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sculptures in Bavarian Forest National Park, Germany

Glass sculptures stand in for trees on a snowy hillside in Germany’s Bavarian Forest National Park.

Bavarian Forest National Park, Germany

Name: Bavarian Forest National Park Location: Germany Date Established: 1970 Size: 93 square miles (241 square kilometers)

Did You Know?

• Natural Lands Bavarian Forest National Park’s hands-off management philosophy is “Let nature be nature.” The pursuit of this plan is allowing a large landscape of wild forests and bogs to develop and thrive here in the heart of Europe where managed forests are an ancient human tradition.

• Left to Go Wild A destructive thunderstorm savaged swaths of the forest in 1983, uprooting thousands of spruce trees, but the natural disaster was turned into an opportunity. By choosing not to remediate the damage, park officials took a critical step toward creating a truly wild forest here.

• Rare Species Among the uncommon bird species that live here are the white-backed or three-toed woodpecker and the pygmy owl, Europe’s smallest. Some of the park’s most important species, including 45 that are endemic, can be seen in wildlife enclosures at national park centers. These locations give visitors an excellent chance to watch boar, bear, wolves, wisent (European bison), and many other species.

• Ice Age Souvenirs Prevalent glacial moraines and Lake Rachel (Rachelsee) are among the enduring reminders of the ice age that locked this area in its frozen grip some 10,000 years go.

• Flower Garden An extensive natural garden at the Hans-Eisenmann-Haus Visitor Center near Neuschönau is worth a visit during any season. The exhibition includes more than 700 different plant species.

• Germany's First This was Germany’s first national park, straddling the mountains along the border between Bavaria and Bohemia. On the Czech side of the border is Sumava (Bohemian Forest) National Park, founded in 1991. The two parks are being managed with similar schemes and together they protect the largest area of forest remaining in central Europe.

How to Get There

The international airports at Munich (100 miles/165 kilometers) and Prague (103 miles/180 kilometers) provide access to the region. Frequent buses and trains service the park’s various entry points.

When to Visit

Summer is the most popular season to visit Bavarian Forest National Park but winter snows encourage snowshoeing, hiking, and cross-country skiing. On most days of the year children and families can enjoy free guided tours geared to the natural themes of the current season.

How to Visit

While the forest is left to evolve in its own way visitors are encouraged to actively seek out its charms. The park has more than 186 miles (300 kilometers) of hiking trails, 124 miles (200 kilometers) of designated cycling trails, and, in winter, 50 miles (80 kilometers) of cross-country ski trails. Mountain inns and forest cottages provide plenty of opportunities for relaxation.

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  • NATIONAL PARKS
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bavarian forest tourism

A Complete Guide To Visiting Germany’s Bavarian Forest

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The Bavarian Forest is one of Germany’s most beautiful natural gems. Spanning an area of more than 1,300 square miles, this lush forest is full of towering trees and breathtaking views of rolling mountains, hidden waterfalls, and densely forested trails where you’ll feel like you’re visiting the Germany of hundreds of years ago. The Bavarian Forest is only about three hours from Munich by train, making it an ideal add-on to a Munich trip for travelers looking to add a few active days to their vacation.

Here’s everything you need to know about planning a trip to the Bavarian Forest, from how to get there to what to do and where to stay.

What is the Bavarian Forest?

  • How to get there
  • Bavarian Forest National Park vs. other area parks
  • Summer in the Bavarian Forest 
  • Winter in the Bavarian Forest 
  • Bavarian Forest vs. the Black Forest 
  • Other things to do in the Bavarian Forest 
  • Where to stay 

Table of Contents

View from Silberberg in the bavarian forest

Photo: Bodenmais Tourism Marco Felgenhauer/Woidlife Photography

The Bavarian Forest is an impressive natural region along the border of Germany and the Czech Republic. It is home to some of Europe’s most extensive ancient forests, classified as low-mountain range forests due to the altitude of roughly 1600 feet above sea level. The region boasts a landscape characterized by rolling hills, deep valleys, babbling streams, and an array of wildlife, including deer, boar, wolves, lynx, and birds.

The Bavarian Forest also has long been associated with traditional handicrafts such as woodworking and pottery, thanks to its abundance of timber from spruce trees. Most of the tourist towns in the area are relatively small and walkable villages, rather than cities, making it a popular summer destination for Munich residents. People visit here for outdoor recreation like hiking and wildlife viewing in the summer and skiing and snowshoeing in the winter, though the low elevation means hiking is available in some parts of the Bavarian Forest year-round.

How to reach the Bavarian Forest

You can book mobile tickets on the DB Navigator App (which has both English or German versions), and it’ll send you one ticket for your complete route, regardless of whether you’re switching between regional or national lines. It’ll generate a QR code in the app that you’ll show as your ticket when you get on board. Some train stations do not have ticket machines, and you can’t buy tickets on board, so be sure to download the app in advance while you have Wi-Fi.

An interior of a train in Germany. rail service is one of the best ways to get to the Bavarian Forest

Trains in Germany are easy to book, on-time, and have station announcements in both Germany and English. It’s very hard to get lost. Photo: Peeradontax /Shutterstock

Once on board, there are multiple screens in every train that alternate between two screens: screen one is the station coming up next, and screen two is the full list of upcoming stations, along with arrival times. On-board announcements are in English and German, and your ticket will tell you which platform to switch to when making connections. And the trains are almost always on time. It couldn’t be easier.

From Munich, it’s about three hours on the train to reach towns like Zweisel or Bodenmais, which makes a few days in the Bavarian forest an extremely easy add-on to a longer Munich or Germany trip.

Bavarian Forest National Park vs. nature park vs. other designations

The Hochfall Waterfall is in Bodenmais, in the Bavarian Forest Nature Park -- but it's not part of the national park of the same name.

Photo: Thilo Wagner /Shutterstock

Bavaria is one of 16 German states, and the entire Bavarian forest is within it.

The Bavarian Forest is huge, covering a large section of the state of Bavaria. Bavarian Forest National Park covers a smaller 60,000 acres within that and backs to the Czech Republic’s Šumava National Park. In Germany, national parks are mostly left in a natural state and have the highest level of conservation protection.

Also within the Bavarian forest are “nature parks,” which are protected but may have more facilities shaped by and for humans, like campgrounds, museums, and hiking trailsThere are 103 nature parks in Germany, 16 of which are in Bavaria. The closest nature parks to Bavarian Forest National Park are Bavarian Forest Nature Park (Bayerischer Wald), Northern Upper Palatinate Forest Nature Park (Oberpfalzen Wald), and Upper Bavarian Forest Nature Park (Oberer Bayerischer Wald).

Person in red jacket walking in the bavarian forest

Hiking in the deer park is an option year-round on some of the forest’s lower-elevation trails. Photo: Suzie Dundas

To make it even more confusing, there may be smaller parks within the nature parks. For example, within Bavarian Forest Nature Park is The Buchet Deer Park. Because it’s a nature park, it has some development, so you’ll find hotels like WildbergHof steps away from these places.

Finally, the Bavarian forest also has two wildlife parks. There’s no real US equivalent for these. They’re areas within the national park with huge, fenced-in areas for native fauna where you may see native wildlife. They are very unlike zoos as there’s no artificial habitat or cages, and the outdoor spaces are really, really big. The smallest of the nature parks is in Ludwigsthal and the shortest walk is 1.6 miles. It still only covers a small section of the animal areas, so you may not see any animals at all. For reference, I stood on the wolf-viewing platform for 30 minutes and saw no more than a squirrel.

A fox at a wildlife park in the Bavarian Forest in Germany

Photo: Bodenmais Tourism Marco Felgenhauer / Woidlife Photography

The second wildlife park is near Neuschönau at the Lusen Vistor Center , and the shortest route through the animal area is 4.5 miles. These aren’t zoos, and you may or may not see any animals. But admission is free, and they’re open year-round. As you may expect, they’re less busy in the winter and shoulder seasons.

The best way to think about it is that Germany national parks are akin to US national parks (albeit with a bit less development), whereas nature parks are a bit more like our national forests. They’re protected, but development is still allowed, and there are some towns within them. However, it doesn’t really matter, as you won’t notice when you’re moving between national parks or national reserves. Any forest within Bavaria that isn’t protected is what we would just consider the woods, rather than officially part of the “Bavarian Forest.”

Summer recreation in the Bavarian Forest

two people about to send it while biking in the bavarian forest

Photo: Bodemais Tourism /Marco Felgenhauer – Woidlife Photography

Hiking in Germany’s Bavarian Forest is the main draw come summer. Bavarian Forest National Park has 217 miles of hiking trails , including routes where you can cross the border into the Czech Republic. Within the Bavarian Forest are hundreds of miles of hiking trails (the “ Seven Summits ” is especially well-known) and 124 miles of mountain biking trails in the national park alone .

Rock climbing is big, with dozens of crags with dozens of routes, as are whitewater rafting and paddling. It’s an ideal summer outdoor destination and offers basically any outdoor activity you’d expect from a rural mountain area, so it’s an ideal add-on to a Munich trip if you want to squeeze in a few days of physical activity.

Person on a rock hiking high peaks in the Bavarian Forest

The outdoorsy village of Bodenmais. Photo: Bodenmais Tourism Woidlife Photography

Note that using hiking guides or going on ranger-guided hikes is very common in Germany; hiking without a guide is the exception, not the rule. That said, you certainly can hike solo, and most areas of the Bavarian Forest are extremely well-signed and easy to follow (and also listed on AllTrails). But if you do want to find a guide, they’re usually inexpensive or sometimes free. Towns like Bodenmais offer guided group tours year-round, and if you stop by any of the national or nature park visitor centers, you’ll probably find a schedule of daily guided hikes anyone can join. If you want to do an overnight backpacking trip, guides are required. But otherwise, you do you.

Winter recreation in the Bavarian Forest

Cross country skiing in the bavarian forest as shown from above

Photo: Bodenmais Tourism Woidlife Photography

There are two primary ski resorts around the Bavarian Forest, and both are extremely affordable compared to US ski resorts; ticket are no more than 40 Euro. There’s a ski bus that runs between Silberburg Ski Area and Großer Arber (Big Arbor), on the highest mountain in the Bavarian Forest.

But the real draw in the winter are non-alpine winter adventures. That includes not just winter hiking, but also snowshoeing, cross-country skiing , and more. The Bavarian Forest is home to the Bretterschachten cross-country ski center, with has 70 miles of trails, and all of the area’s hiking trails covered in snow become popular snowshoeing trails. Backcountry skiing (i.e., ski touring) is popular, though you’ll almost certainly want to use a guide for that. You can also just relax in the adorable towns to enjoy some good food and scenery for a few days.

Ski touring is popular in the many hills of the Bavarian Forest, shown here

Photo: Bodemais Tourism /Woidlife Photography

In addition to its stunning landscapes, the Bavarian Forest also boasts a rich cultural history. The region has been inhabited since ancient times and still retains much of its traditional architecture and customs. You can visit quaint villages with centuries-old churches and buildings or learn about local customs such as wood carving or beer brewing.

One of the best parts of visiting the Bavarian Forest in the winter is the guest card. Depending on what hotel you book, you’ll get a Bodenmais-area visitor card, which includes free admission to many winter recreation destinations, ski resorts included. And even the most luxurious hotels are no more than 200 Euro on peak winter weekends. It’s an exceptionally affordable place for a winter trip, especially if you’re already near Munich.

Bavarian Forest vs. The Black Forest

The Black Forest is not the same as the Bavarian Forest

Germany’s Black Forest: also dark and dense. Photo: Arthur Palmer /Shutterstock

The Bavarian Forest is not the same as the Black Forest . The Black Forest is in the southwest of Germany around the towns of Baden-Baden and Freiburg im Breisgau. It’s more touristy and tends to get more crowded and is much closer to Zurich, Switzerland , than it is to Munich or Berlin. It takes about 10 hours on the train to move between the two regions.

Note that online, you’ll find a lot of confusion and misinformation about the Black Forest and the Bavarian Forest. I’ve found a lot of recreation information and photos online credited to the Black Forest when they’re actually in the Bavarian Forest. That’s probably because the Black Forest is more well-known, but it also means the Bavarian Forest doesn’t get as much credit as it should, especially if you’re looking for multi-day cross-country (as in “crossing the borders of multiple countries”) hiking routes.

Other things to do in the Bavarian Forest

Adam Brau, a brewery and spa hotel in the bavarian forest

Outdoor adventures aside, other places to check out in the region include:

  • Glass-blowing classes at the famous JOSKA Bodenmais (a massive complex with everything from a Christmas market to restaurants to Go Karts).
  • A walk along the Treetop Walkway , one of the longest in Europe.
  • Visiting the Shnapps Museum and tasting room in Böbrach
  • Pretend you’re a beer at Adam Braü in Bodenmais. The brewery and hotel has a five-step, beer-inspired spa system you can avail yourself of, starting with the brewhouse (a Finnish sauna) and ending with icing (an ice room).
  • Learning about beer and tavern culture at the open-air Bavarian Forest Museum (Museumsdorf Bayerischer Wald)

Where to stay

Bodenmais, a town in the Bavarian Forest

The outdoorsy village of Bodenmais. Photo: Bodenmais Tourism Marco Felgenhauer / Woidlife Photography

Bodenmais is probably the most popular town to stay in. It’s near roughly 450 miles of hiking trails and has a walkable downtown with plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, beer gardens, and outdoor gear shops and guides/outfitters. From Bodenmais, visitors can take the ski or hiking shuttles and walk to the train station to connect to anywhere they need to go.

As with most towns in the Bavarian Forest, you won’t find too many chain hotels. Good options include the Hotel Kurpark (home to one of the town’s best restaurants), or more wellness-focused hotels like the affordable Natura Bodenmais (close to the popular waterfall trails) or the more upscale Mooshof Resort . Of these, Hotel Kurpark is the closest to the train station (and has incredibly fast Wi-Fi, if you’re doing any remote work while you’re there).

Further south, the most popular town in the Bavarian Forest is Grafnau. Good hotel options include The Reiners , a boutique hotel with on-site bike rentals, or the more upscale Biohotel Pausnhof , on a working organic farm.

Granfau train and train station in bavarian forest

If you’d like to stay a little more off the tourist track, consider booking a tinyhouse rental at the cute WildbergHof , near the Bavarian Forest Deer Park and hiking trails around Deggendorf.

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Bavarian Forest National Park

Regensburg & the Danube

A thickly wooded paradise for lovers of fresh air, the Bavarian Forest National Park extends for around 24,250 hectares along the Czech border, from Bayerisch Eisenstein in the north to Finsterau in the south. Its thick forest, most of it mountain spruce, is criss-crossed by hundreds of kilometres of marked hiking, cycling and cross-country skiing trails, some of which now link up with a similar network across the border. The region is home to deer, wild boar, fox, otter and countless bird species.

Around 1km northeast of the village of Neuschönau stands the Hans-Eisenmann-Haus , the national park’s main visitors centre. The free exhibition has hands-on displays designed to shed light on topics such as pollution and tree growth. There’s also a children’s discovery room, shop and library.

Get In Touch

https://www.nationalpark-bayerischer-wald.de

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Museumsdorf Bayerischer Wald

Museumsdorf Bayerischer Wald

22.93 MILES

On the southern edge of the Bavarian Forest is Tittling, home to this 20-hectare open-air museum displaying 150 typical Bavarian Forest timber cottages…

Gläserne Wald

Gläserne Wald

One of the more unusual sights along the Glass Route is the Gläserne Wald near the small town of Regen. Here glass artist Rudolf Schmid has created a…

JOSKA Bodenmais

JOSKA Bodenmais

The glass highlight of the small town of Bodenmais is JOSKA Bodenmais, a crystal theme park complete with crystal shops, public artworks, beer garden,…

Glasmuseum

Frauenau's dazzlingly modern Glasmuseum covers four millennia of glass-making history, starting with the ancient Egyptians and ending with modern glass…

Waldmuseum

Housed in a former brewery, Zwiesel’s 'Forest Museum' has exhibitions on local customs, flora and fauna, glass-making and life in the forest.

Nearby Regensburg & the Danube attractions

1 . Waldmuseum

2 . JOSKA Bodenmais

3 . Glasmuseum

4 . Gläserne Wald

5 . Museumsdorf Bayerischer Wald

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Sonnenuntergang über dem Bayerischen Wald

Bavarian Forest

With its pristine woodlands, flower-strewn meadows, enchanting high moors, and fascinating wildlife, nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts certainly get their money's worth in the Bavarian Forest. The low mountain range stretches along the border of Bavaria and the Czech Republic and, together with the Bohemian Forest and adjacent areas, boasts around 6,000 km² of what is considered to be the largest contiguous forest reserve in Central Europe.

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Activities in the Bavarian Forest

Abwechslungsreiche Wanderungen im Bayerischen Wald warten auf dich

Attractions in the Bavarian Forest

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 Hochwertige Produkte zum Wandern im BoW Testcenter am Tourist-Information Viechtach

Die Hammerklause gehört seit 2022 zum Nationalpark Bayerischer Wald.

As a museum for nature and technology, the Haus am Strom invites you to go on a voyage of discovery. ...

The Glass Museum in Passau offers a very special overview of European glass history.More than 15,000 ...

This unconventional building contains six oversized glass walls, painted with stories, mainly from ...

Das Hochmoor Finsterauer Filz ist Lebensraum für Überlebenskünstler.

Discover the region

Bavarian forest national park.

The mountain range of the Bavarian Forest formed about 530 million years ago. At that time, the region was characterized by high and rugged peaks. Over time, wind, the weather, heat, the cold, and general erosion managed to shrink the height of the mountains to the present low range we see today. The most resistance came from the heavy, blue granite, which still remains after softer and more brittle material gave way to erosion.

The Bavarian Forest National Park was created in 1970 as the first of its kind in Germany. With its quiet lakes, dark forests, and deep gorges, it is one of the most rugged regions in Germany. Several areas are designated as primeval forests and are particularly pristine. Animal species such as lynx and otters, which had been thought to be extinct in the region, still live here. Valuable information about the local flora and fauna can be found at the national park's centers and information points.

Along the Bavarian-Czech border between Bayerisch Eisenstein in the district of Regen and Mauth in the district of ...

Outdoor Activities in the Bavarian Forest

The unspoiled nature makes the Bavarian Forest a popular hiking and biking destination. It is here that you can forget everyday life, take a deep breath, enjoy the variety of nature, and hike as far as your feet will take you.

Numerous hiking routes lead through the middle of the forest, past romantic villages and flower-covered meadows and hills. You will find a rich network of local routes as well as long-distance hiking trails, some of which cross the border and lead into the fascinating Bohemian Forest. Or you can hike or cycle along historic trade routes between the Danube and Bohemia, follow the tracks of former salt miners, glass traders, and pandurs and discover the Bavarian Forest and the "Green Roof of Europe" for yourself.

In addition to hiking and biking, you can also enjoy mountaineering, trail running, or jogging. Numerous cross-country ski trails and several ski resorts also attract visitors to the region during the nice winter months.

  • Hiking in the Bavarian Forest
  • Cycling in the Bavarian Forest
  • Running in the Bavarian Forest
  • Winter Sports in the Bavarian Forest

The region has already won the "Fahrtziel Natur Award" from Deutsche Bahn twice (2009 and 2016), which evaluates the integration of eco-friendly mobility and sustainable tourism. In addition to the three rail connections Oberpfalzbahn, Waldbahn and Ilztalbahn, you can also use the Igel buses that travel around the national park centers Rachel-Lusen and Falkenstein. Also useful is the GUTi guest card, which you can get at your accommodation and that lets you use all transport lines in the Bavarian Forest for free!

And these efforts pay off: In the ''Destination Brand Study 2021'', the Bavarian Forest was considered the most sustainable vacationing spots by Germans among 58 regions surveyed.

The 700 year old tradition of glassmaking

One of the oldest crafts in the Bavarian Forest is glassmaking. As early as the 15th century, this precious and fragile commodity was already being produced in the Bavarian-Bohemian border region, as raw materials such as quartz and wood were available in abundance. Initially, itinerant glassworks were built, which were relocated as soon as the raw materials at the corresponding location were exhausted.

Glass is still produced even today in the Bavarian Forest. In factories that have opened to visitors, you can look over the shoulders of the glassmakers at their work. Along the Glasstraße vacation route, for example, which runs through both the Bavarian Forest and the Upper Palatinate Forest, there are a number of places where the 700-year-old tradition of glassmaking is alive and well. These include the Weinfurt glass village, where around 170 professionals work and live. In the glass museum in Passau, you can immerse yourself in the history of the craft and marvel at valuable pieces dating between 1650 and 1950.

Destinations in the Bavarian Forest

Trip planning.

  • Webcam · Bavarian Forest Bayerisch Eisenstein
  • Webcam · Bavarian Forest Sankt Englmar › South-East: Markbuchen
  • Webcam · Bavarian Forest Sankt Englmar: Skilift Grün-Maibrunn
  • Webcam · Bavarian Forest Bayerisch Eisenstein: Bodenmais Tourism & Marketing GmbH - Silberberg - Naturpark Bayerischer Wald e.V. - Czechia
  • Webcam · Bavarian Forest Bayerisch Eisenstein › East
  • Webcam · Bavarian Forest Sankt Englmar › East
  • Webcam · Bavarian Forest Zwiesel: Krankenhaus
  • Webcam · Bavarian Forest Neukirchen beim Heiligen Blut: Freizeitzentrum Hohenbogen
  • Webcam · Bavarian Forest Rattenberg: Zierling
  • Webcam · Bavarian Forest Waldmunchen: Marktplatz - Waldmünchen
  • Webcam · Bavarian Forest Bayerisch Eisenstein › West
  • Webcam · Bavarian Forest Thurmansbang › North

Getting there

bavarian forest tourism

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Nationalparkverwaltung Bayerischer Wald

The Bavarian Forest National Park is one of the most popular destinations in eastern Bavaria. Every year, about 1.3 million people visit the wild nature between Falkenstein, Rachel and Lusen. In addition to day excursion, the region is also great for holiday travels.

Bei unseren Nationalpark-Partnern werden Urlauber bestens über Ausflüge in die wilde Natur informiert.

Accommodation

Whether homey holiday apartment, four-star hotel with all amenities, or familiar bed and breakfast guest house - the holiday region at Bavarian Forest National Park offers any kind of accommodation. Our tip for your stay: our national park partners . This is where the visit to the national park begins right at the accommodation. The national park honors its partner companies for quality, regional focus and environmental awareness. These hosts are enthusiastic national park fans, who like to pass on knowledge, tips and advice concerning this area. Hotel, apartment, guest house and youth hostel – everyone will find the ideal accommodation - as well as national-park-fascination.

Click here for the national park partners: www.nationalpark-partner.com

Nothing found? The regional tourism organizations and tourist info points of the communities will gladly help you to find an appropriate accommodation. The Ferienregion Nationalpark Bayerischer Wald is available as a point of contact and gladly helping you on site and right at the national park. Offers and tourist information can be found at www.ferienregion-nationalpark.de .

Vacation allowances and accommodation offers are tendered nationwide by Tourismusverband Ostbayern at www.bayerischer-wald.de .

Refreshment points

National park centres.

Visiting the national park centres, there is the opportunity to enjoy great cuisine. At Falkenstein National Park Centre , the restaurant offers ecological, fair and regional cuisine. In order to get further information and opening hours see: www.gastronomie-hauszurwildnis.de . There are also two refreshment points at Lusen National Park Centre : Café Eisenmann and Waldwirtschaft. In order to get further information and opening hours see: www.erlebnis-gastronomie-gmbh.de . In addition, the Waldstüberl can be attended right at the parking area. For more information call: 08552 973404 .

During a tour through the wild forest nature, one can also enjoy regional delicacies and quaint flair by taking a break at the shelters and excursion restaurants within the national park. All information can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions (See: Does the National Park feature any mountain huts serving food and drink?).

National park partners

Logo der Nationalpark-Partner des Nationalparks Bayerischer Wald

For refreshment at the holiday or excursion destination, we especially recommend our national park partners, standing for quality and regionality. They are also honored regularly for those principles. You will find all honored partners at www.nationalpark-partner.com .

At the holiday locations

The local tourist information points offer the best tips for a pleasurable stop in and around the national park. Click here for these tourist information points: www.ferienregion-nationalpark.de .

Additional information

  • List of our National park partners
  • Website of the National park partners
  • Flyer "Gemeinsam für unsere Natur ..." of the National park partners

Vacation in the national park

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  • National Park App
  • Snowshoeing
  • Children's birthday party
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  • Bavarian Forest Nature Park
  • Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and Consumer Protection
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Bavarian Forest

bavarian forest tourism

  • 1.1 History
  • 1.2 Landscape
  • 1.3 Flora and fauna
  • 1.4 Climate
  • 2.2 By train or bus
  • 3 Fees and permits
  • 4 Get around
  • 10.1 Lodging
  • 10.2 Camping
  • 10.3 Backcountry
  • 11 Stay safe

bavarian forest tourism

The Bavarian Forest or (in German) Bayerischer Wald is a mountainous region on the German - Czech border in Bavaria .

Understand [ edit ]

This ancient forest is the largest protected forest area of Central Europe and both the woods and the mountain range that forms its backbone stretch well into the Czech Republic (where it's called the Bohemian Forest ) and Austria . Important parts of the area are made up by the Bavarian Forest National Park , which protects the most untouched and dense parts of the forest.

History [ edit ]

Landscape [ edit ], flora and fauna [ edit ], climate [ edit ], get in [ edit ], by car [ edit ].

Getting to the edge of the area is easy enough, with several major highways getting you to the area. Depending of your location and destination, take the A3 ( Nürnberg - Linz ), the A92 ( München - Deggendorf ) or the A93 ( Hof - Regensburg ) to get you in the right direction. Once you're there, regional roads like the B85 or B11 that will take you further. Keep in mind that traffic jams occur during high season. When you're headed for the National Park, follow the signs for Nationalpark Bayerischer Wald - Zwieseler Winkel from the highway, which will take you to the designated parking lot.

By train or bus [ edit ]

Travelling in and around by public transport is encouraged, and indeed easy. It also allows to admire the views through the large train and bus windows while on the way. Head to Plattling , which serves as the main connection point. From here, special green shuttle railcars run regularly to Zwiesel, Bayerisch Eisenstein, Bodenmais and (once every two hours) to Frauenau, Spiegelau and Grafenau.

Fees and permits [ edit ]

Get around [ edit ].

Map

If you don't have your own transport, consider using the above mentioned shuttle railcars, called Waldbahn to travel between popular destinations in the area.

See [ edit ]

The main attraction here is of course the beautiful nature and lovely scenic views. The ancient forest is a remnant of the vast Hercynian Forest that dominated the area south of the Rhine in Roman times, and was described by Julius Caesar and Tacitus as they sought to conquer the German tribes that inhabited it. The wooded mountainous terrain, the many lush valleys and picturesque villages in them make for some excellent panoramas.

Firmly on the tourist map, the people ensure a good number of additional attractions to entertain people in their towns. There are many small museums to see as well as charming festivals and events in summer, many of which are traditional rather than invented in nature. There's the canopy walkway and small zoo in Neuschönau, or the open air museum village near Ringelai. Of course the lovely little villages with their historic churches are attractions in their own right.

Do [ edit ]

As in any natural area, hiking and other outdoor activities are a popular activity. Nonetheless, the Bavarian Forest is also a known wellness-region, packed with small spa's for relaxation and therapy.

  • 48.892669 13.488567 1 Baumwipfelpfad Bayerischer Wald , Böhmstraße 43, Neuschönau , ☏ +49 8558 974074 . Tree top canopy walkway  

Buy [ edit ]

Deggendorf is the main town for shopping in the area.

Eat [ edit ]

Drink [ edit ], sleep [ edit ].

Accommodation options are plentiful, and vary from countless hotels in all price ranges to B&Bs and camp sites.

Lodging [ edit ]

Camping [ edit ], backcountry [ edit ], stay safe [ edit ], go next [ edit ].

  • The Czech Republic is just at a stone's throw away, with Prague about 3 hours away
  • Munich (München) is also close by

bavarian forest tourism

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Bavarian Forest Nature Park

The Bavarian Forest Nature Park stretches from the Danube Valley to the Grosser Arber peak near the border with the Czech Republic and Austria.

This exceptional nature park covers the area from the Danube Valley to the Arber peaks with their areas of primeval woodland, including the fruit-growing areas near Lalling and Neukirchen. Visitors can experience "Europe's Green Canopy" at events run by staff at the nature park or on their own journeys of discovery. A few dozen nature experience trails reveal many of nature's secrets to the curious explorer. A visit to one of the nature park's six information centres also comes highly recommended. For example, there's the Nature Park Sonnenhaus in Zwiesel, which is built from renewable resources, and the Eisenstein Border Railway Station, which hosts five interactive exhibitions.

Discover more

Shop 'til the train stops: germany's train station shopping centres, archaeological museums: celts, romans, vikings, germany in winter: snow, candlelight, and mulled wine, wine hikes: 5 regions for connoisseurs, summer of football: germany 2024, goethe cities: follow in the footsteps of the poetic genius, explore the surroundings.

Absolute Munich

Bavarian Forest National Park: All About the Bayerischer Wald

The Bavarian Forest National Park (German: Bayerischer Wald ) is the oldest, largest, and one of Germany’s most beautiful national parks. 

Established in 1970, it stretches south from Bayerisch Eisenstein right along the Czech border to the village of Mauth some 40 km to the south-east. 

The National Park’s allure comes from the rich wilderness that has been allowed to flourish with little interaction from humans. 

The park protects the greatest undeveloped stretch of land between the Atlantic and the Urals where the landscape has been untouched and permitted to gradually revert back to an almost perfect natural state. 

Popular in both Summer and Winter the Bavarian Forest National Park is an idyllic destination that’s adored by Bavarians and tourists alike.

We hope you’ll get the best out of this concise Guide to the Bavarian Forest National Park and we sincerely hope you enjoy the read. 

Attractions Of The Bavarian Forest National Park

Among the park’s many attractions are a stunning landscape, hiking and biking routes, majestic peaks, mirror lakes, an exciting tree-top walk, and oh so much more. 

While the forest is a great place to explore in the summer, it transforms into a mystical region in the winter which sees the forest floor covered with a thick white carpet, lakes frozen solid, and tree branches covered in snow.

There are numerous people who come for the purpose of engaging specifically in winter sports here in the Bavarian Forest National Park, including cross-country skiing, hiking, and snowshoeing.

No matter what the season, tourists must be mindful to take great care, and not disrupt the wildlife or the forest’s tranquility, as the forest service is notoriously strict about this.

Here are what we believe to be the BEST attractions of the Bavarian Forest National Park in no particular order.

Tierfreigelände

The Tierfreigelände is a large animal enclosure with no visible fences and is structured to look as much like the animals’ natural habitat as possible. 

European bison, wolves, wild boars, lynxes, and bears are just some of the many animal species you can observe in their natural habitats. The barrier-free route around the Tierfreigelände is packed with fun for the whole family.

In the woods themselves, it’s highly likely that you’ll be able to spot birds, mice/voles & ‘red’ squirrels and the whole experience is delightful even with the occasional lack of appearance by the star attractions such as the Lynx and the elusive Beaver.

There are specialist 2.5 hour guided walks of the Tierfreigelände which can be far more productive than walking alone.

The tours are guided by volunteers, who are really very knowledgeable about the forest and the animals. There is much background information given about the Bavarian Forest National Park and the guides have secret inside information which means they know almost exactly where most of the animals like to hide.

Animal activity is certainly heightened in the evening and at night so if you can swing it, visit late in the day to give yourself the best opportunity to spot the most wildlife.

Rachelsee, an astonishingly beautiful lake, is nestled at an elevation of 1,071 feet in the heart of the forest. 

This mirror-like lake is full of dark stories and myths from the area and is allegedly named after the Devil’s grandmother, Rachel.

Overseen by the highest peak in the National Park – the Großer Rachel , and guarded by the wonderfully woody and interesting Rachelkapelle (Rachel’s Chapel), the lake is a veritable “diamond in the rough” and can only be reached on foot so this is a wonderful place for hiking .

As one of only three Karseen lakes within the Bavarian Forest National Park, the Rachelsee was formed and excavated by glacial movements during the last ice age.

Don’t forget to ring the bell inside the Rachelkapelle when visiting, you’ll be astounded at just how far the sound carries in this gorgeous spot.

Baumwipfelpfad Bayerischer Wald – Bavarian Forest Treetop Walk

The Bavarian Forest National Park Tree-Top Walk ( Baumwipfelpfad ) provides an up-close interaction with nature and an exciting adventure for the whole family. 

Visitors can walk the 1,300 meters along a barrier-free wooden boardwalk to the base of the dome-shaped observation platform, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding forest. 

Exciting side attractions can also be found along the way with displays and interactive physical challenges along the route, but the best part is saved for last. 

Experience untouched nature from a unique perspective by climbing to the observation deck, which is 44 meters above ground. Here you can take in truly stunning views of the surrounding woods and, on clear days, the snow-capped Alps in the distance.

The Baumwipfelpfad restaurant serves delicious snacks and if you have kids they’ll enjoy playing in the wonderfully equipped upstairs indoor playground. Perhaps whilst you’re enjoying a beer and an apple strudel (Apfelstrudel).

Hans-Eisenmann Haus

Just adjacent to the Baumwipfelpfad is the Hans-Eisenmann-Haus Visitor Centre which provides information about all the activities that are available in the Bavarian Forest National Park.

The exhibition “Paths into Nature – A Story of Forests and People” is a permanent display that answers the following questions:

  • What does the philosophy “let nature be nature” mean? 
  • What desires do people associate with the forest? 
  • How has the protected area evolved since it was founded? 
  • What kind of species lives within the emerging wilderness? 

Contained within is a small, yet interesting museum that fully details the history of the National Park and there is also a reading gallery, a cinema with films about the national park, and a shop for souvenirs.

Kids love it here as there are tricky puzzles to be solved and In the children’s adventure room, kid-friendly natural treasures are just waiting to be discovered.

Getting To The Bavarian Forest National Park

The Bavarian Forest National Park in Germany is easily accessible by road, rail and bus so getting here won’t be a problem.

Also, once there, the local council instigated a smart transport concept some years ago, ensuring visitors will easily be able to reach all the most prominent locations in the National Park by public transport should you not wish to drive yourself.

By Car: A number of major highways feed into the area. Depending on where you’re planning on coming from you could take the A3 (Nürnberg – Linz), the A92 (München – Deggendorf) or the A93 (Hof-Regensburg) to get you in the direction of the National Park. Once you’ve made it into the region the smaller local roads such as the B85 or B11 will take you further and deeper into the forest proper.

By Rail: Plattling station is the major rail hub here in this region. It’s on the ICEs Frankfurt – Vienna line between Regensburg and Passau and on the regional line via Landshut from Munich. There are actually direct regular trains from Munich Hbf to Plattling.

In The Forest: Obviously you can drive yourself about the National Park. It’s well signposted and there is plenty of parking from where you can hike to the various places of interest. The best way to get about however, is with a guest card called GUTi, which covers public transport in and around the national park.

The GUTi guest card is issued free of charge by most accommodation providers and is valid for whatever your length of stay might be in the area. The GUTi card is actually your ticket which allows for unlimited travel in the Bayerwald-Ticket area (except the Bayerwald-Ticket-PLUS area). Your GUTi also acts as a discount card and you’ll receive free or reduced price offers throughout the region.

Here is a detailed map of all the local transport routes in the region.

Location Of the Bavarian Forest National Park on Google Maps

Accommodation Nearby the Bavarian Forest National Park

For those visiting the park and looking for nearby locations to explore or a place to stay, here are a few of the best towns and cities to visit in the area:

Northwest of the park is the city of Regensburg , which is home to more than 150,000 people. The city’s historic center is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, making it a popular tourist destination in Germany.

The city is also home to the Museum of Bavarian History, which provides an in-depth look at the region’s rich heritage.

The settlement of Deggendorf can be found due west of the park. There are about 34,000 people living in the town, and the earliest records of humanity in the area date back to 868 CE.

 The unique and charming architecture of the town was remarkably unharmed by World War II, making it the perfect location for a trip back in time.

To the south is Passau, which is a city right on the Austrian border that lies at the intersections of three rivers, the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers. 

Consequently known as the Dreiflüssestadt (Three Rivers City), Passau is guarded by the imposing Veste Oberhaus, a 13th-century hilltop fortress that houses the city’s museum and includes a fantastic observation tower.

The city was originally a Roman colony but is now a University City that sees a quarter of its inhabitants being students at any one time. This means that there is a vibrant art, culture, and cafe scene in the city as well as plenty of accommodation.

Only a town since the beginning of the 20th century Zwiesel is now one of only a handful of places in Germany and Austria classified as a ‘ Luftkurort ‘ – a climatic spa resort. 

This is a town that experts deem has an air quality and climate that is considered beneficial to health and recovery of various ailments. Municipalities with this classification are permitted to charge a health resort tax for all guests who spend the night there.

Zwiesel is the gateway town of the Bavarian Forest National Park and there are two separate Zwiesel Tourist Offices. One office is to be found in the Town Hall and is open from Monday-Thursday plus Friday mornings. The other smaller office which is located in the Waldmuseum near the church is open daily apart from Tuesdays, so serves the weekend crowds.

Famous for its glass production this former mining town sits on the junction of the Großer and Kleiner Regen rivers and you’ll find dozens of hotels and family-run apartments and pensions in the town making it an ideal place from which to explore the National Park.

Bavarian Forest National Park: Final Thoughts

The wooded mountainous terrain, the numerous lush valleys & the picturesque villages that make for some excellent panoramas are just part of the natural joy that you’ll experience in the area.

There are many traditional and very charming festivals and events in the warmer months throughout the region, making this particular part of Bavaria a “must-see” destination.

The park joins up with the Šumava National Park of the Czech Republic to form a sort of mega forest, and crossing the border here is quite commonplace to explore both areas.

Whilst the Bavarian Forest National Park is a major drawcard some of the towns here are interesting touristic places in their own right, with many well worth a visit.

We love nature here at Absolute Munich and we love getting out and about to enjoy some challenging hikes which is why we’re big fans of visiting the Bavarian Forest National Park.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide to the National Park and, if you ended up visiting here, we’d love to hear from you about your trip to the park.

Cheers and thanks for reading.

Šumava National  |  Nationalpark Bayerischer  |  National Park Germany  |  Nationalparkverwaltung Bayerischer Wald  |  Bohemian Forest  |  German Forest

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Bumblebee on sunflower near Viechtach, Bavarian Forest, Bavaria, Germany

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Bavarian Forest National Park

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Bavarian Forest National Park, known locally as Bayerischer Wald, is located on the southeastern border of Germany running alongside the Czech Republic. The protected forest combines with the Czech Republic’s Sumava National Park to create the largest protected contiguous forest in Central Europe.

The Bavarian Forest on the German side covers an area of 93.50 square miles (242.2 sq km) and was established as Germany’s first national park. The forest is comprised of spruce trees, European silver fir, European beech, Norway spruce, mixed mountain forest, highland forests, and water meadow spruce woods.

The national park is located in the highlands between the Danube River and the Bohemian Forest. The landscape is primarily short granite and gneiss hills covered and surrounded by the dense forest.

The Bavarian Forest national park features three key peaks of which GroBer Rachel is the highest with a summit of 4,767 feet (1,453 m). The other two peaks include Lusen at 4,505 feet (1,373 m) and GroBer Falkenstein at 4,281 feet (1,305 m).

Wildlife of the Bavarian Forest National Park includes popular animals like the lynx, the bear, and the wolf which make up the primary predators of the forest. Other mammalian species include deer, European bison, beaver, and otters.

Bavarian Forest National Park wolf

The Bavarian Forest National Park is the epitome of a natural forest. It is a place that you escape to turn off the world and let nature do the talking. Driving through, hiking, and just exploring the wilderness is the reason to escape to this park.

The park has served as inspiration and settings for numerous pieces of literature as well as movie films. With the serene and peaceful rolling hills and abundance of rarely disturbed forests and valleys, it is no wonder that it fosters such inspiration.

Bavarian Forest National Park Trails

The Bavarian Forest National Park is full of hiking trails that meander up and down and throughout the park.  This is one of the best escapes into nature as well as ways to experience the area.

Baumwipfeldpfad Bayrischer Wald Trail

This is an easy trail that travels into the forest 1.2 miles (1.9 km) before returning back the same route.  There is only an elevation change of 167 feet (50.9 m).  This is a simple but great way to experience some of the forested landscape.

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Baumwipfeldpfad und Tier-Freigelande

This easy trail is long but wheelchair accessible.  It is a loop of 6.1 miles (9.8 km) providing an excellent opportunity to explore the Bavarian Forest and even catch glimpses of some of the wildlife.

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Lusen Rundweg Trail

This is a 5.7-mile (9.2 km) with an elevation change of 1,240 feet (377.9 m).  Although parts of it are boarded, it is rated moderate.  Apart from the scenic forest, one of the highlights is the river.

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Entlang des Schmalzbachs zum Schwellhausl Trail

This is a 6.7-mile (10.8 km) loop trail that meanders through the forest and along with one of the rivers in the park.  It features an elevation gain of 1,007 feet (306.9 m) and is rated as a moderate trail.

Park Protection

Bavarian Forest Nationa Park was created to invest in the exquisite forests.  Combined with Sumava National Par in neighboring Czech Republic, it is the largest protected contiguous forest in Central Europe.

The park was established to protect the habitat of lynx, wolf, brown bear, and other wildlife living in the forest.  The German government also wanted to insure that its citizens and global visitors would always have this enchanting forested terrain to explore and enjoy.

Bavarian Forest Highlights

  • The serenity of the dense forest and exploration of nature

  • Bavaria, Through The Bavarian Forest with Ranger Kristen Biebl,  https://www.bavaria.by/forest/ambassadors/ranger-bavarian-forest-national-park/ , retrieved August 2019.
  • Britannica, Bavarian Forest,  https://www.britannica.com/place/Bavarian-Forest , retrieved August 2019.
  • National Park Bayerischer Wald, Bavarian Forest,  https://www.nationalpark-bayerischer-wald.bayern.de/english/ , retrieved August 2019.
  • National Geographic, Bavarian Forest National Park,  https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/parks/bavarian-forest-germany/ , retrieved August 2019.

To conquer an eight-thousand-metre peak requires experience, courage, perfect condition, a lot of time and more. We conquered seven sublime peaks in one day on our ridge hike. “King Arber” enthroned at the end of the tour. Text: Christian Haas, photos: Frank Heuer

  • Springy Forest Floor

Beastly Informative

  • Lamer Winkel Region
  • Trail Running
  • Mount "Großer Arber"

Goldsteig Trail: Hiking in the Bavarian Forest

“What do we have here? A Bavarian pineapple!” Johannes Matt takes hold of the waist-high plant at the edge of the path, sniffs it and explains to the astonished small group: “Officially, the plant is called Forest Hainsimse or Marbel, but the perennial is reminiscent of the tropical fruit, hence the nickname,” explains the area supervisor for the Arber region, a kind of nature park ranger. “You can even eat the stalk! Who wants to?”

Even though after three and a half hours of hiking our stomachs sag a little, we decline with thanks. We prefer to pick blueberries, which grow everywhere. We also want to have a snack at the nearby 1,262 metre high Heugstatt. There are only huts on the last third of the tour (the “Chamer Hütte” below Mount Kleiner Arber), or if you accept small descents like from here to the hut “Berghütte Schareben”.

The dreamlike summit plateau on the Heugstatt invites you to take a rest and enjoy the view

We’ll save that. Also because the thousand-metre peak in the middle of the main Arber ridge – already the fifth today, by the way – has an inviting summit plateau. Instead of rock and stone as elsewhere on the mountain, a wonderful meadow interspersed with shrubs and tree islands beckons, which was long used as a pasture for young cattle.

The summit cross is also different: made of branches knotted with ropes, it looks really modest. It is nowhere near as massive as the steel XXL representatives yesterday on the Kleiner Riedelstein or earlier on the Mühlriegel. Alternative flair is also exuded by the dishevelled Tibetan prayer flags that flutter in the summer wind on their fastening cords.

On rocky and mossy forest paths, the trail leads to the "Großes Arberschutzhaus" ...

... the right footwear is indispensable here

Over Springy Forest Floor

We sit down on the meadow and enjoy the view into the Zellertal valley and far beyond towards the south. To the west we see the route covered today including the previous peaks Mühlriegel, Ödriegel, Schwarzeck and Reischflecksattel (which you pass below). And in the distance you can make out the “Kötztinger Hütte” hut, where we started yesterday to “warm up”.

„The cherry on the cake of the region!“

As Stephan Frisch, head of the Arrach tourist information office, had announced: “The cherry on the cake of the region!” It has to be said: that was not an exaggeration. The ridge hike on the Kaitersberg provided high spirits with its views, the rocky-mossy forest paths and the mystical smoke tubes, around 40-metre-high rock needles. When we arrived at the Eck ski and hiking car park late in the afternoon, we wanted to move on immediately.

For the “eight thousand”, however, you should plan a whole day, i.e. start in the morning. We also had an appointment with Johannes. But there’s no real need for a guide, as the snaking trail symbol of the Goldsteig, Germany’s longest certified long-distance hiking trail, is regularly emblazoned on beech trees, spruces and the like.

You can hardly miss the varied trail, which sometimes runs over slightly springy forest soil, occasionally over stones and rarely over forest roads. But Johannes enriches the tour with historical, social, cheerful background stories. He knows a lot about nature anyway.

Rock formation "Rauchröhren": One of our stage destinations on the Goldsteig

Without Johannes, we would not know that one of the largest bat winter quarters in Europe is located in the Silberberg near Bodenmais or that an otter once fell into a photo trap up on the mountain saddle, far away from any fish hunting grounds. Without him, we would not have found any capercaillie signs either. He, however, spotted a bright, dry, tiny thing on a tree stump. “Look, the winter output of a female.” Questioning looks. “Month-old excrement!”

The capercaillie is the largest bird in the Bavarian Forest and enjoys the greatest attention. “Although the population is stable, it is not exhilarating either,” says Johannes. “Moreover, there are too many males. We found stress hormones in various excrements.” People also cause them stress. Therefore, much is being done to protect Europe’s largest chicken bird.

Everything for the Capercaillie

Johannes’ colleague in the Upper Bavarian Forest Nature Park, Anette Lafaire, is particularly committed: “Since hikers and tourers away from the routes drive the animals away, there is a trail ban in protected zones from the beginning of November to the end of June. However, we do not impose suspensions or penalties.”

The principle of “education instead of prohibitions” determines the nature park’s work. The focus is on guided tours, flyers, information boards. Lynx and peregrine falcon often turn up there, too, real sympathetic figures. “It would be better not to focus only on the sexy species,” says Johannes, “but that is difficult in communication. On the other hand, other species are also protected.”

Paths of wooden planks lead through the felts

Fields of blueberries line the Goldsteig Trail

It’s on in Lamer Winkel

The bird song backdrop is at times orchestral: robins, chiffchaffs, song thrushes and others warble in the most beautiful Dolby Surround. This can be enjoyed because there are no interfering noises from civilisation. Roads, houses, industrial areas – all far away.

„ All trends reach the Bavarian Forest a few years later “

If you walk the 16-kilometre ridge trail from Bergsattel Eck to the Großer Arber, you will cross one or two hiking trails, sometimes a cross-country ski trail, sometimes a forest road, that’s it. Also barely visible: cyclists. Stephan says: “All trends reach the Bavarian Forest a few years later. Which also has advantages. You know what you’re in for”.

It's obvious what he’s talking about: the topic of eMTBs, which is causing major worries elsewhere. Not here. There was and is enough time to create extra tours off the main hiking trails.

For particularly motivated hikers, there is also a 12 x Thousander tour

Trail Running: For the tough ones

The Lamer Winkel region is at the forefront of another trend: trail running. Nationally known events and own trail markings underline this. In fact, continuous runners are panting towards you. Most hikers, on the other hand, set a moderate pace. No mountaineering skills are required for this moderately difficult tour. But stamina is needed to master the approximately seven-hour route, including 1,040 metres of ascent.

The route goes up in principle, but also down again and again. And from one top view to the next: for example, to the paragliding paradise of Großer Osser or over to the Czech National Park Šumava, which alludes to the wind rustling in the spruces.

After a snack, we march uphill over root paths to the 1,285 metre high Enzian. In this area, and even more so at the Kleiner Arber, it becomes visible what hurricanes – and subsequently the bark beetles – do. In 2007, hurricane Kyrill wreaked havoc here, shaving areas and leaving behind tree skeletons. One consequence: hardly any shade. As there are hardly any springs, we appreciate our water provisions.

Striking giants: The radar domes on the Großer Arber mountain

Großer Arber: Fantastic panoramic views from 1,456 metres above sea level

First Orchids, Then the Großer Arber

Johannes would like to see the removal of age-old railway sleepers that pave the orchid- and arnica-lined ascent to the Großer Arber and whose tar smell is undeniable. That would not change anything about the steepness of the final. Nor does the fact that the King of the Bavarian Forest, at 1,456 metres, is Bavaria’s number one outside the Alps, but not in terms of nature experience.

The “Königshof” is used in many ways: here radar domes reminiscent of giant ice spheres, there transmission masts, parking spaces used by the military and ski slopes and circular routes used by excursionists. Right next to the mountain station is the traditional “Arberschutzhaus” (refuge), where we spend the night.

Good job, because one thing is truly regal up here: the view at sunset. All the more so when it is doused with Bärwurz, probably the best-known schnapps speciality of the region. Anette warned us: “You have to drink at least two, the first one just doesn’t taste right.”

  • More information on the Bavarian Forest
  • More about hiking on the Goldsteig Trail

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Listicle on 12 special experiences in the region that you should definitely not miss

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More Hiking Tips?

Under the skin.

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They're brewing something!

Zoigl is a bottom-fermented beer specialty produced in the so-called communal breweries. Beer enjoyment and hiking in the Upper Palatinate Forest!

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Town hall square in Bad Reichenhall in summer

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Autumn landscape in National park Bayerischer Wald at sunset, top of the mountain Grosser Arber, Germany.

Eastern Bavaria: Many paths lead through the Bavarian Forest 

Whether summit tours, circular or long-distance hiking trails – if you love hiking but also like to push yourself, then the “Green Roof of Europe” is a must. Unlimited paths along babbling brooks, through the lush green of mixed forests on the eight-thousander-tour or along sunny mountain meadows – everyone is guaranteed to find their favorite tour in the Bavarian Forest. No wonder the region took first place in the category of “Hiking regions in Germany, Austria and Switzerland”. You want to go? Then you’ll will find the best tips here.

Hiking paradise with boundless nature 

The Bavarian Forest on the border between Germany and the Czech Republic is considered to be the largest forest landscape in Central Europe . It is home to the first and oldest national park, the only primeval forest in Germany and two nature parks. In the unique natural landscape, which can be hiked through for hundreds of kilometres, the scenically varied paths lead not only through natural primeval forests and high moors, but also along rushing rivers and ice-age lakes. For those who prefer something more challenging, the 130 imposing mountains with more than 1,000 meters in altitude are an exciting alternative for hiking in the Bavarian Forest.

View from the top of mountain Grosser Arber in National park Bavarian forest, Germany.

On the Goldsteig through ancient and natural landscapes 

Hikers who want to immerse themselves in the fascinating low mountain range landscape of the Upper Palatinate and the Bavarian Forest with seemingly endless woody peaks are in the right place on the Goldsteig . At 660 kilometers, this is the longest certified quality hiking trail in Germany. If that’s not enough of a hiking route, you can add the 289 kilometers of the Czech Brother Trail . A very special highlight: the Goldsteig leads through five nature parks and one national park. Nature lovers can choose between two variants on the main route: the southern route and the northern route.

Hiking trail on the Goldsteig in Eastern Bavaria

Through mixed forests and nature reserves on the southern route 

This path meanders alternately through green forests and over lush meadow landscapes through the hilly woodlands of the Bavarian Forest. The southern route is also suitable for less experienced hikers. When visibility is good, fantastic distant views as far as the Alps await you on this path. Rare plants and animals can also be admired on the sections through the untouched nature reserves such as the “Hölle” or the pond landscape near Wiesenfelden. Those interested in history can visit the Reichenbach Monastery, Falkenstein Castle and Wiesenfelden Castle along the way.

Bavarian Forest Landscapes as seen from the Großer Arber

Can you hear the forest?

Over the thousands of the bavarian forest on the northern route .

The significantly more demanding tour of the Goldsteig is the northern route , on which many thousands of peaks can be climbed. These include the Großer Arber, the Falkenstein and the Dreisessel with its bizarre granite rocks. If you choose this path with its challenging altitude difference, you will not only have fantastic views of the mountains across the Bavarian-Bohemian border, but also special experiences in pretty little towns such as Furth im Wald or Bayerisch Eisenstein. Cultural highlights such as monasteries, chapels, museums and caves, are very close to the hiking route.

Hiker gazes at Dreisessel in the Bavarian Forest

Here you can find more hiking trails through the Bavarian Forest . 

Giraffe made of lego bricks in front of the Legoland Discovery in Oberhausen

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Brochures & Catalogues

The Bavarian Forest National Park holiday region is full of great offers, wonderful sights, interesting museums, of course fantastic hikes, a wide range of winter sports and lots of culture. Whether you are travelling with your family, in a group or simply alone on lonely paths enjoying the forest wilderness of our region - you will certainly find the right offer here.

Here we have compiled our pocket guides, maps, flyers and catalogues on the individual topics. You can download them directly here and browse through them in advance. Or, of course, you can order them conveniently via our contact form to your home. Browse through our offer - and if you have any questions, we will of course be happy to help you with words and deeds!

Click here to go directly to the brochure order form

Host directory

bavarian forest tourism

FROM THE FOREST THE BEST - places and hosts! Discover lots of tips and suggestions for your next vacation in the Bavarian Forest in our current host directory. And of course a large selection of hosts. Whether hotel, inn & guesthouse, farmhouse or vacation apartment and chalet - here you are sure to find the right accommodation for your next vacation in the vacation region.

We look forward to seeing you!

Browse through the host directory

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Families & Children

bavarian forest tourism

"The best of the forest" - family holidays in the Bavarian Forest National Park holiday region. In our pocket guide you will find lots of information for a successful family holiday in the Bavarian Forest.

Especially the "expert tips", which come from children in the region, will provide you and a family with valuable tips for the next family trip to the Bavarian Forest. After all, who would know better why the region is particularly suitable for family holidays?

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Art, Culture & Culinary

bavarian forest tourism

"The best of the forest" - Discover the special features of the Bavarian Forest National Park cultural region. The centuries-old glass tradition, wooden art, special churches and wonderful chapels - in the pocket guide Art Culture Culinary you will find a wide selection of the unique cultural and culinary offerings in the Bavarian Forest National Park holiday region.

Let yourself be inspired!

Download Pocketguide Art, Culture, Culinary delights

Through the wilderness with the WALDBAHN (Train)

bavarian forest tourism

Discover "The best of the forest!" in combination: hike and switch to the next exciting hiking section thanks to a short ride on the Waldbahn. Our map "With the Waldbahn through the wilderness" gives you an overview of the stops and travel times of the Waldbahn and allows you to combine these with wonderful hiking and excursion tours within the entire vacation region.

Download map With the Waldbahn through the wilderness

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Pocketguide Wandern im Bayerischen Wald

Hiking in the Bavarian Forest National Park holiday region. In our pocket guide on the subject of "Hiking" you will find 30 selected tours across the entire region. Included are smaller, easy tours as well as the more strenuous and challenging hikes on our Bavarian Forest mountains such as the Rachel.

Let yourself be inspired and discover "the best of the forest" while hiking in the holiday region.

Download Pocketguide Hiking

bavarian forest tourism

Simply boundless - that's how the hiking possibilities in the holiday region appear. Our hiking map, which shows the Bavarian Forest National Park, as well as the border region in the neighbouring Sumava/Bohemian Forest National Park on the Czech side, gives you a good overview of our unique hiking world. So you are well prepared for varied and exciting explorations on foot.

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Download hiking map

Overview hiking trails

bavarian forest tourism

The best for hikers.

Here you will find the summary of all hiking trails in the entire area of the Bavarian Forest National Park holiday region.

In addition to the hiking map, the overview gives you all the other details about your desired hiking route. From the starting point, walking time to route length and pictogram, this overview is the ideal companion to the pocket guide hiking and the hiking map.

Download hiking routes overview

bavarian forest tourism

Lieblingsplätze in 2 Regionen - Mit der praktischen Falzkarte der Ferienregion erhalten Gäste in der Ferienregion einen schnellen Überblick über sehenswerte Ausflugsziele im Gebiet des Nationalparks Bayerischer Wald als auch im Gebiet des anschließenden Nationalparks Šumava.

Die Ziele eigenen sich hervorragend für Tagesausflüge und sind ein Querschnitt vom "Besten aus 2 Regionen".

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Pleasure bike

bavarian forest tourism

The boundless forest wilderness of the Bavarian Forest National Park is ideal for extended tours by bike. Discover our region by bike and enjoy the unique landscape and fantastic views. In our pocket guide about cycling we have compiled some tour tips with valuable hints. So nothing stands in the way of unadulterated cycling fun.

Download Pocketguide Cycling Bavarian Forest (german)

Download Pocketguide Cycling Bavarian Forest (Czech)

Cycling map

bavarian forest tourism

Our bike map for the Bavarian Forest and the Sumava on the Czech side, in the Bohemian Forest. An overview with the cycle paths in the holiday region Bavarian Forest National Park and the adjacent Sumava National Park in the Czech Republic. Boundless cycling pleasure - in the truest sense of the word.

Download cycle route overview

Download cycling map part north Download cycling map part south

Cycling routes overview

bavarian forest tourism

The best for cyclists.

Here you will find the summary of all cycling routes in the entire area of the Bavarian Forest National Park holiday region.

In addition to the bike map, the overview gives you all the other details about your desired tour. From the starting point, walking time to route length and pictogram, this brochure is the ideal companion to the pocket guide bike and the bike map.

Vacation with dog

bavarian forest tourism

An animal-friendly holiday with a dog. In this flyer we have compiled everything you need to know, helpful hints and real insider tips about a holiday with your dog in the Bavarian Forest. From holiday accommodations, where your dog is not only tolerated, but welcome, to great excursion destinations, hikes, helpful tips on public transport and much more,... Just take a look and discover "The best of the forest" in our holiday region with your dog.

Download Flyer Holiday with Dog

Group travel

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Here you can view and download our pocket guide on the subject of "group travel". It contains numerous tips for your next trip with your club or for group travel.

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Accessible travel for all

Brochure "Travel for All" in the Bavarian Forest

The Bavarian Forest National Park holiday region, the two districts of Regen and Freyung-Grafenau and the National Park itself have jointly developed this brochure as one of the first Bavarian pilot destinations for barrier-free holidays, in order to enable guests with a handicap to check holiday offers in advance as to whether they meet their individual needs. The establishments and holiday facilities included, which have been specially checked with regard to their offers for people with disabilities or special needs, can of course also be found in the Bavaria-wide database on the subject of "Travel for all". Here the enterprises can be filtered besides also particularly after offer and their official test reports be regarded. So nothing stands in the way of a carefree holiday.

Download brochure "Travel for All in the Bavarian Forest

Travel for All" database

National Park Card

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In our flyer about the National Park Card you will find a lot of information about your guest card in the Bavarian Forest National Park holiday region. Many free or reduced services are waiting for you during your holiday in the Bavarian Forest! Among other things the free use of bus and train in the whole region.

Download Flyer National Park Card

In our compact map you will find all the important information about camping in the Bavarian Forest National Park holiday region.

Download Camping Info Map

Winter adventure map

bavarian forest tourism

The winter adventure map of the Bavarian Forest National Park holiday region - your ideal companion for winter sports in the Bavarian Forest. All cross-country trails, winter hiking trails and many more winter sports offers of the region are marked in the winter adventure map. So nothing stands in the way of winter fun in the Bavarian Forest National Park holiday region.

Download Winter Adventure Map Part North Download Winter Adventure Map Part South

Snowshoe & Winter Hiking

bavarian forest tourism

"From the forest the best" - 12 snowshoe tours and 13 winter hiking trails are summarized in our pocket guide. In a practical format, just plug it in and start marching through the winter landscape of the Bavarian Forest National Park holiday region. Because you can hardly discover and feel the forest wilderness and power of nature more than on a hike on snowshoes.

Absolutely fascinating!

Download Pocketguide Snowshoe & Winter Hiking

Cross-country skiing

bavarian forest tourism

The Bavarian Forest National Park holiday region has always been a true paradise for cross-country skiers. Perfectly groomed trails, embedded in the wonderful landscape of the Bavarian Forest, make every cross-country skier's heart beat faster.

We have summarized over 20 tours for you in our pocket guide "cross-country skiing". From the easy tour, which is also suitable for beginners, to the challenging, black cross-country trail - you will find what you are looking for.

Download pocket guide cross-country skiing

Order the brochures here

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IMAGES

  1. Bavarian Forest

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  2. A Complete Guide To Visiting Germany’s Bavarian Forest

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  3. Bavarian Forest in Germany

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  4. Bavarian Forest National Park (Official GANP Park Page)

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  5. Things to do in Bavarian Forest and Bavarian Forest sights -Travanto

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  6. Bavarian Forest

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VIDEO

  1. EUROPE/GERMANY/FOREST NATURE /JHENNY SACULLES

  2. Welcome to forest in Germany!!

  3. B533/B85: Bavarian Forest

  4. BAVARIAN FOREST

  5. Bayerischer Wald Nationalparkstraße (Autumn)

COMMENTS

  1. Visitor

    Welcome to the Bavarian Forest National Park! In our page navigation you will find a range of informative hints for your trip into wild nature. Let yourself be taken on an exciting journey into Germany's oldest national park. Whether pleasures outdoors, visits to museums, experiencing animals or participation in guided tours - we offer you a ...

  2. The Bavarian Forest: How to Plan a Trip in Summer or Winter

    Bavarian Forest National Park has 217 miles of hiking trails, including routes where you can cross the border into the Czech Republic. Within the Bavarian Forest are hundreds of miles of hiking trails (the " Seven Summits " is especially well-known) and 124 miles of mountain biking trails in the national park alone.

  3. The Best Things to See and Do in the Bavarian Forest National Park

    Cyclists get to enjoy the tourist highlights of the forest and also explore the more isolated regions along a 200-km-long (124 miles) clearly marked biking trail that connects the forest with Šumava National Park in the Czech Republic. At certain points that can be accessed only by hiking, there is excellent provision for storing your bikes safely.

  4. THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Bavarian Forest

    Things to Do in Bavarian Forest, Germany: See Tripadvisor's 15,235 traveler reviews and photos of Bavarian Forest tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in March. We have reviews of the best places to see in Bavarian Forest. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions.

  5. Bavarian Forest National Park, Germany -- National Geographic

    The park has more than 186 miles (300 kilometers) of hiking trails, 124 miles (200 kilometers) of designated cycling trails, and, in winter, 50 miles (80 kilometers) of cross-country ski trails ...

  6. Bavaria travel

    Bavaria's official travel magazine for visitors and fans More than 120 stories Over 90 Best-of- lists 80 Insider stories Things to do What to see ... From forest adventures to toy museums. 14 fun things to do for children and teenagers. Read more. Bavaria Listicle. 13 x Franconian top experiences. Raft trips, hikes, castles, festivals and ...

  7. A Complete Guide To Visiting Germany's Bavarian Forest

    December 15, 2022 by aaruweb. The Bavarian Forest is one of Germany's most beautiful natural gems. Spanning an area of more than 1,300 square miles, this lush forest is full of towering trees and breathtaking views of rolling mountains, hidden waterfalls, and densely forested trails where you'll feel like you're visiting the Germany of ...

  8. English Version

    English. Let nature be nature: Bavarian Forest National Park in portrait. Tours Tips: Recommendations on hiking, cycling, snowshoeing and accessible excursions. Excursion destinations. We endeavor to provide a major part of our homepage in English for you. We are constantly working on an upgrade of English content.

  9. Bavarian Forest National Park

    Bavarian Forest National Park. A thickly wooded paradise for lovers of fresh air, the Bavarian Forest National Park extends for around 24,250 hectares along the Czech border, from Bayerisch Eisenstein in the north to Finsterau in the south. Its thick forest, most of it mountain spruce, is criss-crossed by hundreds of kilometres of marked hiking ...

  10. Bavarian Forest National Park: 50 years untamed nature

    The Bavarian Forest National Park, founded in 1970 as the first national park in Germany, joins with the neighbouring Šumava National Park in the Czech Republic to form the largest continuous area of woodland in Central Europe. The concept of letting nature run wild is at the heart of the Bavarian Forest National Park.

  11. Bavarian Forest Travel Guide & Travel Tips

    In addition to hiking and biking, you can also enjoy mountaineering, trail running, or jogging. Numerous cross-country ski trails and several ski resorts also attract visitors to the region during the nice winter months. Hiking in the Bavarian Forest. Cycling in the Bavarian Forest. Running in the Bavarian Forest.

  12. Vacation at the Bavarian Forest National Park

    The Bavarian Forest National Park is one of the most popular destinations in eastern Bavaria. Every year, about 1.3 million people visit the wild nature between Falkenstein, Rachel and Lusen. ... The regional tourism organizations and tourist info points of the communities will gladly help you to find an appropriate accommodation.

  13. Bavarian Forest National Park

    As in any natural area, hiking and other outdoor activities are a popular activity. Nonetheless, the Bavarian Forest is also a known wellness-region, packed with small spa's for relaxation and therapy. 48.892669 13.488567. 1 Baumwipfelpfad Bayerischer Wald, Böhmstraße 43, Neuschönau, ☏ +49 8558 974074. Tree top canopy walkway edit.

  14. Bavarian Forest Nature Park

    The Bavarian Forest Nature Park stretches from the Danube Valley to the Grosser Arber peak near the border with the Czech Republic and Austria. This exceptional nature park covers the area from the Danube Valley to the Arber peaks with their areas of primeval woodland, including the fruit-growing areas near Lalling and Neukirchen.

  15. Bavarian Forest National Park: Bayerischer Wald [Park Guide]

    The Bavarian Forest National Park (German: Bayerischer Wald) is the oldest, largest, and one of Germany's most beautiful national parks. Established in 1970, it stretches south from Bayerisch Eisenstein right along the Czech border to the village of Mauth some 40 km to the south-east. The National Park's allure comes from the rich ...

  16. Bavarian Forest 2024: All You Need to Go Before You Go

    Plan Your Trip to Bavarian Forest: Best of Bavarian Forest Tourism. Essential Bavarian Forest. Do. Places to see, ways to wander, and signature experiences. See all. Baumwipfelpfad Bavarian Forest. 422. Observation Decks & Towers. Modehaus Garhammer. 115. Department Stores. Tierfreigelaende im Nationalparkzentrum Lusen. 256.

  17. Bavarian Forest

    Tourism is important to the Bavarian Forest. Sharing the natural environment are walkers, the forestry industry and several ski resorts. Furthermore, the Bavarian Forest is known for its glassblowing in the area of Zwiesel and is also known in the field of geoscience as a result of the fundamental station of Wettzell at Bad Kötzting.

  18. Bavarian Forest National Park (Official GANP Park Page)

    The Bavarian Forest on the German side covers an area of 93.50 square miles (242.2 sq km) and was established as Germany's first national park. The forest is comprised of spruce trees, European silver fir, European beech, Norway spruce, mixed mountain forest, highland forests, and water meadow spruce woods. The national park is located in the ...

  19. Bavarian Forest National Park

    The Bavarian Forest National Park ( German: Nationalpark Bayerischer Wald) is a national park in the Eastern Bavarian Forest immediately on Germany 's border with the Czech Republic. It was founded on 7 October 1970 as the first national park in Germany. Since its expansion on 1 August 1997 it has covered an area of 24,250 hectares.

  20. Hiking in the Bavarian Forest: 8 Thousender peaks in one day

    Hiking in the Bavarian Forest: 8 Thousender peaks in one day. Hiking for Pleasure. Eight 1,000-Metre Peaks in One Day. To conquer an eight-thousand-metre peak requires experience, courage, perfect condition, a lot of time and more. We conquered seven sublime peaks in one day on our ridge hike. "King Arber" enthroned at the end of the tour.

  21. Hiking Trails in the Bavarian Forest

    On the Goldsteig through ancient and natural landscapes. Hikers who want to immerse themselves in the fascinating low mountain range landscape of the Upper Palatinate and the Bavarian Forest with seemingly endless woody peaks are in the right place on the Goldsteig. At 660 kilometers, this is the longest certified quality hiking trail in Germany.

  22. Bavarian Forest

    The tourist trade is expanding as the reputation of the Bavarian Forest as a beautiful and uncrowded holiday resort area spreads. Each year many visitors explore the Bavarian Forest National Park, where more than 98 percent of the park's 50.5-square-mile (130.8-square-kilometre) area is tree-covered and many species of plants, birds, and ...

  23. Catalogue and brochure downloads of the Bavarian Forest National Park

    Brochures & Catalogues. The Bavarian Forest National Park holiday region is full of great offers, wonderful sights, interesting museums, of course fantastic hikes, a wide range of winter sports and lots of culture. Whether you are travelling with your family, in a group or simply alone on lonely paths enjoying the forest wilderness of our ...