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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

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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 license 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 characterized by its diversity and large areas of forest. 500 meters lie 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 South Route Stage 3: Falkenberg - Neuhaus

    4.3 (5)·Moderate·8.8 mi·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·13.6 mi·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·11.2 mi·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·8.6 mi·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·14 mi·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·8.6 mi·Est. 3.5–4 hr
    Wild and romantic section of the route in the Upper Palatinate, Bavaria The third stage of the Upper Palatinate Castle Trail leads from Falkenberg through the beautiful Waldnaab Valley - a nature reserve where you can follow the course of the Waldnaab River and look at rock formations such as the anvil to see how the forces of water change even granite rocks with enough time. After leaving the idyllic forest and river landscape, you reach the stage destination Windischeschenbach. Here you...

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

    3.2 (3)·Hard·14 mi·Est. 6.5–7 hr
    Idyllic route section 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 stroll a bit and stop in one of the restaurants or eat an ice cream. You leave the place to the southeast and with it the course of the Waldnaab. It goes over meadows, fields and through forests via Wilchenreuth and Theisseil to Oberhöll. Highlights: - Neuhaus Castle - Waldnaab Valley Museum - Neustadt an...

  8. #8 - Gruenderweg in the city triangle

    4.3 (3)·Hard·18.4 mi·Est. 7.5–8 hr
    Popular hiking trail in the Northern Upper Palatinate Forest Nature Park, Bavaria. The Gruenderweg in the city triangle runs through the Upper Palatinate hill country 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 ensure a varied hiking experience. A visit to the Upper Palatinate Culture and Military Museum is also worthwhile, where you can learn...

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

    4.0 (1)·Moderate·25.8 mi·Est. 9.5–10.5 hr
    Stage 1 of the “Naabtal-Radweg” long-distance cycle path, Bavaria. This is the first stage of the almost 100 km long Naabtal cycle path, which leads from Luhe to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Regensburg through the Bavarian Forest and the Upper Palatinate Forest Nature Park. The first stage is around 41 km long, starts in Luhe and ends in Schwandorf. Along the way there are idyllic lakes, ponds and rivers to marvel at, as well as some castle ruins and palace complexes. The start and finish...

  10. #10 - Naab-Vils-Weg Fernwanderweg

    Hard·28.5 mi·Est. 12–13.5 hr
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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 South Route Stage 3: Falkenberg - Neuhaus, which has a 4.3 star rating from 5 reviews. This trail is 8.8 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,095 ft.

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 224.0 mi 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 22,795 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Burgenweg Oberpfalz (Fernwanderweg), which has 16,725 ft of elevation gain.

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