Skip to main content
Back to Explore
Best backpacking trails in Northern Upper Palatinate Forest Nature Park

Best backpacking trails in Northern Upper Palatinate Forest Nature Park

3.7(31 reviews)

·

Bavaria
: 
#9 of 21 nature parks

All photos

The Northern Upper Palatinate Forest Nature Park was the first nature park in Eastern Bavaria and the fourth in Germany. The park also received the VIABONO licence as a quality nature park.

Founded in 1975, the park was expanded in 1998 to include the Hessenreuther and Manteler Wald nature parks, giving it its current size of 138,000 hectares.

The park's landscape is characterised by its diversity and large areas of forest. There are 500 metres between the lowest point in the Naab valley near Luhe and the 901 m high Entenbühl near Flossenbürg on the border with the Czech Republic

Top sights

Häuselweiher
Häuselweiher
Pond
Rauher Kulm
Rauher Kulm
Volcano
Kleiner Rußweiher
Kleiner Rußweiher
Pond
Tallerweiher
Tallerweiher
Pond
Rußloheweiher
Rußloheweiher
Pond
Vogelbeobachtungsstation
Vogelbeobachtungsstation
Bird hide

Top trails

  1. #1 - Goldsteig SouthRoute Stage 3: Falkenberg - Neuhaus

    4.3 (5)·Moderate·14.2 km·Est. 4–4.5 hr
    This route follows stage 3 of the Goldsteig, a long-distance trail from Marktredwitz to Passau, beginning in Falkenberg and ending in Neuhaus. The path leads through the romantic Waldnaabtal nature reserve, tracing the riverbanks past giant granite rock formations like the Kammerwagen, Tischstein, and Blockmeer. Hikers pass the historic Waldnaabtal-Museum inside Burg Neuhaus at the segment's end. Overnight stays are accommodated in local guesthouses and hotels in Falkenberg and...

  2. #2 - Goldsteig South Route Stage 6: Leuchtenberg - Tännesberg

    3.8 (9)·Hard·21.9 km·Est. 6.5–7.5 hr
    This route is stage 6 of the Goldsteig, a long-distance trail in Germany, beginning in Leuchtenberg and ending in Tännesberg. The path leads from Leuchtenberg Castle to Döllnitz, entering the scenic Pfreimd Valley. It follows the Pfreimd River past Trausnitz Castle and the Pfreimdtal Reservoir before ascending via forest paths to the castle ruins on the Schlossberg in Tännesberg. Overnight stays are available in local guesthouses and hotels in Tännesberg, as wild camping is strictly...

  3. #3 - Goldsteig South Route Stage 7: Tännesberg - Oberviechtach

    3.9 (3)·Hard·18 km·Est. 5.5–6 hr
    This route is stage 7 of the Goldsteig, a long-distance trail in Germany, beginning in Tännesberg and ending in Oberviechtach. The path follows a geological educational trail past St. Jodok pilgrimage church, climbs Wildenstein peak, and merges with the Camino de Santiago before reaching Oberviechtach. Overnight stays are available in local guesthouses and hotels, as wild camping is strictly prohibited along the route. Hikers should carry a water filter to safely treat surface water from...

  4. #4 - Goldsteig South Route Stage 5: Letzau - Leuchtenberg

    3.4 (4)·Moderate·13.8 km·Est. 4–4.5 hr
    This route is stage 5 of the Goldsteig, a long-distance trail in Germany, beginning in Letzau and ending in Leuchtenberg. The path climbs Dreifaltigkeitsberg, passes Oedenthal, and descends into the Luhe Valley near Oberschleif. It traverses the Elm forest past the Three Hand Crosses of 1361 and follows natural paths through the Wolfslohklamm in the Lerautal nature reserve, passing the Teufelsbutterfass to the Leuchtenberg castle ruins. Overnight stays occur in local guesthouses and hotels in...

  5. #5 - Goldsteig South Route Stage 4: Neuhaus - Letzau

    3.5 (2)·Hard·22.5 km·Est. 6.5–7 hr
    This route follows stage 4 of the Goldsteig, a long-distance trail from Marktredwitz to Passau, beginning in Windischeschenbach-Neuhaus and ending in Letzau. Following the Waldnaab riverbank from the Hutzlmühle, the trail traverses natural paths past an Icelandic horse track and a historic railway bridge. Hikers encounter cultural landmarks like the Lobkowitz Palaces, the Parish Church of St. George, the City and Glass Museum, the baroque St. Felix Monastery Church, and scenic views from the...

  6. #6 - Castle Trail Upper Palatinate Stage 3: Falkenberg - Windischeschenbach

    3.0 (1)·Moderate·13.8 km·Est. 3.5–4 hr
    Wild and romantic stretch of road in the Upper Palatinate, Bavaria The third stage of the Upper Palatinate Castle Trail leads from Falkenberg through the beautiful Waldnaabtal valley - a nature reserve where you follow the course of the Waldnaab river and can see from rock formations such as the Anvil how the forces of water can change even granite rocks over time. After leaving the idyllic forest and river landscape, you reach the stage destination of Windischeschenbach. Here you can stop...

  7. #7 - Burgenweg Upper Palatinate Stage 4: Windischeschenbach (Neuhaus) - Oberhöll

    3.2 (3)·Hard·22.5 km·Est. 6.5–7 hr
    Idyllic stretch of road in the Upper Palatinate, Bavaria The fourth stage starts in Windischeschenbach and leads along the beautiful Waldnaab river to Neustadt an der Waldnaab. Here you can take a stroll and stop off at one of the restaurants or have an ice cream. You leave the town in a south-easterly direction and with it the course of the Waldnaab. The route leads across meadows, fields and through forests via Wilchenreuth and Theisseil to Oberhöll. Highlights: - Neuhaus Castle -...

  8. #8 - Gruenderweg in the city triangle

    4.3 (3)·Hard·29.6 km·Est. 7.5–8 hr
    Popular circular hiking trail in the Northern Upper Palatinate Forest Nature Park, Bavaria. The Gründerweg in the city triangle runs through the Upper Palatinate hills around Grafenwoehr, Eschenbach i.d.OPf. and Pressath and can be hiked in one day or in several stages. Extensive forests, fantastic views, romantic villages and disused railway lines make for a varied hiking experience. It is also worth visiting the Upper Palatinate Culture and Military Museum, where you can learn interesting...

  9. #9 - Naabtal-Radweg Etappe 1: Luhe - Schwandorf

    4.0 (1)·Moderate·41.5 km·Est. 9.5–10.5 hr
    Stage 1 of the long-distance cycle route "Naabtal Cycle Route", Bavaria. This is the first stage of the almost 100 km long Naabtal Cycle Route, which leads from Luhe to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Regensburg through the Bavarian Forest and the Upper Palatinate Forest Nature Park. The first stage is around 41 kilometres long, starting in Luhe and ending in Schwandorf. Along the way, there are idyllic lakes, ponds and rivers as well as a number of castle ruins and palaces to marvel...

  10. #10 - Naab-Vils-Weg Fernwanderweg

    Hard·45.9 km·Est. 12–13.5 hr
Showing results 1–10 of 26
Explore more trails

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best trail to hike for backpacking in Northern Upper Palatinate Forest Nature Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best trail to hike for backpacking in Northern Upper Palatinate Forest Nature Park is Goldsteig SouthRoute Stage 3: Falkenberg - Neuhaus, which has a 4.3 star rating from 5 reviews. This trail is 14.2 km long with an elevation gain of 334 m.

What is the longest backpacking trail in Northern Upper Palatinate Forest Nature Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest backpacking trail in Northern Upper Palatinate Forest Nature Park is Leuchtenberg Cycle Route. This trail is estimated to be 360.5 km long.

How many backpacking trails are in Northern Upper Palatinate Forest Nature Park?

There are 26 backpacking trails in Northern Upper Palatinate Forest Nature Park.These backpacking trails have an average 3.7-star ratingfrom 31 AllTrails community reviews.

Which backpacking trail has the most elevation gain in Northern Upper Palatinate Forest Nature Park?

Leuchtenberg Cycle Route has the most elevation gain for backpacking trails with 6,948 m of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Burgenweg Oberpfalz (Fernwanderweg), which has 5,098 m of elevation gain.

Activities

Attractions

Suitability

Points of interest