Best wildlife 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
- 4.5 (143)·Moderate·7.4 km·Est. 2.5–3 hrPopular circular route to the Riesloch waterfalls in the Bavarian Forest. This excellent hike begins at the Riesloch Falls hiking car park and leads the Riesbach folden steadily uphill past the Untere Wasserstube until you finally reach the famous Riesloch Falls. After enjoying this natural spectacle to the total, return on the Arberhochstrasse until the circuit closes again at the starting point. The second part of the hike is designed as a relaxed descent. Highlights of the hike: -...
- 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
- 4.7 (48)·Moderate·8.9 km·Est. 3–3.5 hrDemanding and scenic circular route in the Bavarian Forest. The circular route to the Lusen via the summer trail in the Bavarian Forest is very impressive. Not only the striking peak, but also the accumulation of bizarre rock around the hiking trail make this route something special. Before it could be scientifically explained how these block seas, which are typical for the area, came about, people blamed giants or even the devil for the creation of this landscape. In fact, however, the...
- 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....
- 4.6 (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.
- 4.8 (19)·Easy·7.7 km·Est. 3–3.5 hrOne of the best experiences when hiking is to be on a rather empty path where the crowds don't flood the trail. This trail is perfect for such a hike, taking you from the Arberschutzhaus to the Bodenhaus. The route leads through moorland landscapes, along several streams, a waterfall and a gorge.
- 4.7 (21)·Moderate·7.9 km·Est. 2.5–3 hrPanoramic circular hike around Grandsberg in the Bavarian Forest Nature Park. The Goldsteig access trail no. 30 leads from Grandsberg to the Hirschstein. This hike is ideal for the whole family. One car park is the 67 "Grandsberg hiking car park". There you can stop for a bite to eat at the Berggasthof Menaur. Highlights: - Great views - Hirschenstein viewing tower
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 wildlife 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