Bavarian Forest National Park
Germany's first national park. Together with Czechia's Šumava National Park, it forms the largest contiguous forest in Central Europe. Treetop walkways look out over the sea of trees, and the summit of Lusen mountain, its boulder-strewn peak, and a wildlife park offer sightings of lynx, wolves and bears.
Bavarian Forest National Park lies in eastern Bavaria, Germany. It adjoins the Czech Šumava National Park, together forming the largest contiguous forest area in Central Europe. Established in 1970, it was Germany's first national park. It covers about 250 square kilometers and follows the principle of letting nature take its course. Windfallen trees and beetle-killed stands are left alone, and new forest regenerates on its own, which is why the park offers a rare view of primeval forest.
The park has a southern and a northern section. The southern Lusen area is centered on the Hans Eisenmann Visitor Center in Neuschönau. Its attractions include the treetop walk, the Tree Egg observation tower, a wildlife park, and the climb to the boulder-strewn summit of Lusen. The central area has Großer Rachel mountain, Lake Rachel and the Seelenpfad (Soul Path) in Spiegelau. The northern Falkenstein area is centered on the Haus zur Wildnis in Ludwigsthal, from which you can walk up the Hell Gorge to Großer Falkenstein. Just outside the park to the northwest is Großer Arber, the highest peak in the Bavarian Forest. Zwiesel and Frauenau are glassmaking towns on the Glass Road.
The best season is June to October for hiking, and September to October is when the beech forests turn their most beautiful autumn colors. December to March brings snow, suitable for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or skiing on Arber. In spring, when the snow melts, trails can be muddy, and some areas are closed to protect nesting birds.
Getting there: Take a train from Munich or Regensburg to Plattling or Zwiesel, about 2 to 3 hours, then transfer to the Waldbahn regional train and the park's Igelbus shuttle. Guests staying in the area can ride for free with the GUTi card.
Plan to stay 2 to 3 days, using Neuschönau, Grafenau or Zwiesel as a base. Entry to the park is free, but the treetop walk charges admission.
Top sights
- Großer Rachel – The highest peak in the national park, at 1,453 meters. The classic route leads from the summit overlooking Lake Rachel, a glacial lake, an…
- Bavarian Forest Treetop Walk – One of the world's longest treetop walks, a 1,300-meter boardwalk leading to a 44-meter egg-shaped wooden tower with views of the Alps.
- Lusen – A 1,373-meter peak whose summit is strewn with granite boulders forming a ‘stone sea,’ with views over the old-growth forest on the German-…
- National Park Centre Lusen Animal Enclosure – A roughly 7-kilometer trail connects large natural enclosures where you can see wolves, lynx, bears, European bison and other native wildli…
- Rachelsee – A glacial cirque lake at the foot of Großer Rachel, surrounded by primeval forest. The Rachel Chapel above the shore is the classic viewpoi…
- Haus zur Wildnis & Animal Enclosure Falkenstein – The visitor centre for the Falkenstein area in the park’s north. Its exhibits tell the story of ‘letting nature take the lead,’ and the ani…
- Großer Falkenstein – The 1,315-meter peak in the park’s north. Hike up through the ‘Hell Creek’ gorge, and you’ll find a hut and a small chapel at the summit.
- Seelensteig – A roughly 1.3-kilometer circular boardwalk near Spiegelau that winds between windfallen trees and new growth, with contemplative quotes alo…
- Großer Arber – The highest peak in the Bavarian Forest (1,456 meters). A gondola takes you most of the way up, and granite lookouts at the summit offer vi…
- Großer Arbersee – A glacial lake at the foot of Großer Arber. A lakeside trail takes about 40 minutes, you can rent boats, and the shore has floating islands…
- Glass Museum Frauenau – A key museum on the Glass Road, displaying glass art from ancient Egypt to the present, with outdoor glass sculptures in a garden setting.
- Zwiesel – A glass town on the western side of the national park. Beyond the old town square and church, visit the factory outlet store and the glass…
- Bayerisch Eisenstein / Železná Ruda-Alžbětín Station – A train station built in 1877 that straddles the German-Czech border, with the frontier line running right through the station building. A…
Where to eat
- Schwellhäusl Inn – Built in 1828 as a shelter for timber rafting workers, this forest inn at the foot of the Großer Falkenstein is now a p…
- Lusenschutzhaus – A granite mountain hut at 1,343 m just below the Lusen summit, a rest stop for hikers serving simple meals and homemade…
- Berggasthof Lusen – A family-run mountain inn in the village of Waldhäuser, inside the national park, known for Bavarian meat dishes, game…
Itineraries
- Danube Historic Towns & Bavarian Forest – Explore the historic Danube cities of Regensburg and Passau, then venture into Germany's oldest national park.