Best hard trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
The Bavarian Forest Nature Park borders the Upper Bavarian Forest Nature Park to the north and both the Czech border and the Bavarian Forest National Park to the east. The park with its Danube floodplains, high-altitude spruce forests and raised bogs has existed since 1967, making it one of the oldest nature parks in Bavaria. The defining landscape element of the park is the forest - it covers 50% of the nature park. It is a refuge for many endangered animal species such as capercaillie, lynx, otter, corncrake and freshwater pearl mussel.
A special highlight in the Bavarian Forest Nature Park is the NaturparkWelten - a museum experience in the Bayerisch Eisenstein border railway station. There are 7,000 kilometres of hiking trails and 35 nature experience trails awaiting visitors. Information is available at 6 nature park information centres.
Top sights
Top trails
- 4.8 (24)·Hard·6 km·Est. 2–2.5 hrPopular hiking trail in the Bavarian Forest Nature Park, Bavaria. Access trail no. 18 meets the Goldsteig long-distance hiking trail at the Kleiner Arber. You start at the railway station in Bodenmais. The scenic highlight is the Riesloch nature reserve, which is famous for its waterfalls. Highlights of the hike: - Riesloch Falls - Riesloch nature reserve - Cham hut - Little Arber
- 4.6 (26)·Hard·15 km·Est. 5.5–6 hrPanoramic circular route to the Falkenberg, Bavaria. The circular route starts at the Zwieseler Waldhaus and leads hikers uphill through the Mittelsteighütte primeval forest to the Falkenberg. It follows the Jägersteig trail past the Rukowitzberg. The effort of the ascent is finally rewarded with beautiful views. The Falkenstein shelter invites to stop for a bite to eat or to stay overnight (note opening times). The detour to the Windwurf adventure trail is also particularly beautiful along...
- 4.3 (20)·Hard·16.7 km·Est. 6.5–7 hrPanoramic circular hike in the Bavarian Forest, Bavaria. This idyllic hike lies on the border between the Upper Bavarian Forest and Bavarian Forest nature parks and leads to the beautiful Kleiner Arbersee lake and over the Kleiner and Großer Arber mountains. If you wish, you can take the mountain railway down to the valley from the Großer Arber summit station. There is a refreshment stop at the Kleiner Arbersee.
- 4.3 (23)·Hard·15.4 km·Est. 5.5–6 hrDemanding section of the Goldsteig north route in the Bavarian Forest National Park, Bavaria. The 13th stage of the Goldsteig: Northern Route is one of the most strenuous, but offers fantastic views and a wonderful panorama. Along unspoilt forests, wild nature and wild blueberry bushes, strenuous ascents alternate with pleasant descents. The route leads over eight "thousand metre peaks" to the stage destination of the Großer Arber. Highlights: - Eight-thousand metre tour - Bavarian Forest...
- 4.4 (19)·Hard·15 km·Est. 5.5–6 hrPanoramic hike in the Upper Bavarian Forest Nature Park, Bavaria. The start and finish of this hike is the summit station of the mountain railway on the Großer Arber (for a more athletic challenge: start at the valley station of the mountain railway). From here it is a good seven kilometres to the Kleiner Arbersee lake, which is known above all for its floating islands. Apart from an ascent to the Chamer Hütte, the route is quite relaxed overall. Highlights of the hike: - Großer Arber -...
- 4.3 (12)·Hard·6.3 km·Est. 2.5–3 hrPopular circular hike in the Bavarian Forest Nature Park, Bavaria. The starting point of the circular hike is the car park at the Dreisesselalm. After a good three kilometres of steady but not overly steep ascent, you reach the Hochstein. Return to the car park via the Habergrasberg. Highlights of the hike: - Hochstein - Rhinoceros rock - Hochwald nature reserve - Detour to the cave on the Hochstein (optional)
- 4.7 (11)·Hard·20.8 km·Est. 6.5–7 hrVaried circular hike through the Bavarian Forest. The term "Schachten" refers to forest-free mountain meadows. These areas were created during the summer months between June and September, when farmers used to take their cattle into the forests to graze. The Schachten are ecologically and historically significant areas in the Bavarian Forest National Park. A "felt" is the name given to a moor. One of the most important felts is the Latschenfilz with the mystical Latschensee. This moorland...
- 4.7 (5)·Hard·16.7 km·Est. 6–6.5 hrPopular hike in the Bavarian Forest Nature Park, Bavaria. Hiking trail 1 of the Bavarian Forest Nature Park starts in Bodenmais. From here, you hike via Mittagsplatzl to the Großer Arber, the highest mountain in the Bavarian Forest. If you want to stop for a bite to eat, continue along the Arberweg to the Eisensteiner Hütte (open daily from 10 am to 4 pm). Highlights of the hike: - Bodenmais - Lunch spot - Großer Arber (1456 metres above sea level) - Nature reserve Großer Arber and...
Visitor info
The Sonnenhaus information centre in Zwiesel is open daily from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm. Naturparkwelten is always open Wednesday to Sunday from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm, during the Bavarian holidays and from July to October from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm daily.
Activities
- Backpacking trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Bike touring trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Bird watching trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Camping trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Cross-country skiing trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Mountain biking trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Road biking trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Running trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Snowshoeing trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Walking trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
Attractions
- Beach trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Cave trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Easy trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Event trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Forest trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Hard trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Lake trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Long trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Moderate trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- River trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Short trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Trails with historic sites in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Trails with views in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Waterfall trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Wildflower trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Wildlife trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
Suitability
- Child-friendly trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Dog-friendly trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Partially paved trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Paved trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Trails for dogs on lead in Bavarian Forest Nature Park
- Wheelchair-friendly trails in Bavarian Forest Nature Park