Best lake 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
- 4.7 (91)·Moderate·11.6 km·Est. 4–4.5 hrPanoramic circular route to the summit of the Lusen in the Bavarian Forest National Park near Neuschönau, Bavaria. Starting at the Waldhäuser car park, it soon goes steadily and steeply uphill. After a short while the refuge on the Böhmweg is reached. From there it continues on the summer path, followed by a steep climb over the "Himmelsleiter" ("ladder to heaven ")- a stone staircase consisting of mighty boulders. From here it goes directly to the Lusen summit. A geological peculiarity: The...
- 4.7 (67)·Moderate·10.8 km·Est. 4–4.5 hrPopular hiking trail in the Bavarian Forest Nature Park. This route goes around the large Arbersee and up to the highest peak in the Bavarian Forest, the Großer Arber. From there, it offers a beautiful view and the possibility to stop off comfortably. The Arbersee is ideal for a pedal boat ride on warm summer days. Highlights of the hike: - Big Arber - Big Arbersee - magnificent views - Arber chapel - Bodenmaiser Mulde
- 4.8 (71)·Moderate·12.1 km·Est. 4.5–5 hrPopular circular hike in the Bavarian Forest Nature Park near Bodenmais. The hiking route leads through the "Großer Arbersee and Arberseewand" nature reserve. The nature reserve is characterised by its low mountain range landscape, multi-century-old trees and rocky vegetation, which are home to numerous plant and animal species. There are refreshment stops at the Großer Arber summit station. --- Accessible by bus and train
- 4.9 (29)·Moderate·7.4 km·Est. 2.5–3 hrPopular hike in the Bavarian Forest Nature Park, Bavaria. At 1455 metres above sea level, the Großer Arber is the highest mountain in the Bavarian Forest and Bohemian Forest. The start and finish of this hike high up to the "King of the Bavarian Forest" is the car park at the valley station of the Arber mountain railway. Depending on your wishes, the outward or return journey can be replaced by a leisurely ride on the Arber mountain railway. Highlights of the hike: - Summit of the Großer...
- 4.5 (52)·Moderate·7.9 km·Est. 2.5–3 hrPanoramic circular hike in the Bavarian Forest Nature Park from Spiegelau. Via the Großarmschlag reservoir to the wild and romantic Steinklamm gorge. This natural jewel is a popular excursion destination and enchants visitors with its rocky gorge, roaring water and moss-covered rocks. As it can quickly become slippery around the gorge, sturdy footwear and sure-footedness are essential. Highlights: - Stone gorge - Großarmschlag reservoir
- 4.4 (32)·Easy·1.8 km·Est. 0.5–1 hrFamily-friendly walk in the Bavarian Forest Nature Park between Bodenmais and Bayerisch Eisenstein. The loop leads along the shore once around the Großer Arbersee, which together with the Arberseewand is a designated nature reserve. The unspoilt natural landscape is characterised by the mixed mountain forests, the impressive Arberseewand and the floating silting moor. Dogs must be kept on a lead throughout the nature reserve and there is a ban on swimming and sunbathing around the lake....
- 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 (25)·Moderate·6.8 km·Est. 2–2.5 hrFamily-friendly hike in the Buchenberger Leite, Bavaria. The Buchberger Leite is an impressive gorge landscape in the Bavarian Forest and also one of the most beautiful geotopes in Bavaria. This hike is very pleasant over a short distance and runs from Freyung to Ringelai through one of the most beautiful torrent gorges in Bavaria. It bears the seal of quality "Bavaria's most beautiful geotopes" and is a protected landscape. The route is very popular on warm summer days. There are...
- 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 -...
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.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best lake trail to hike in Bavarian Forest Nature Park?
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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