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Visit the Bayerischer Wald in Germany

Enjoy Nature and Culture in the Bavarian Forest & National Park

The Bavarian Forest and National Park in Eastern Bavaria, Germany is part of the largest forest in Europe. Attractions include nature (hiking, skiing, canoeing) and culture.

The Bayerischer Wald (Bavarian Forest) in Germany together with the Bohemian Forest on the Czech side of the border form the largest continuously forested area in Europe. Two nature parks in Eastern Bavaria protect around 500,000 ha/1.2 million acres of nature in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Most of the region is mountainous with 132 peaks exceeding 1,000 m/3,280 ft leading to the claim that it is the green roof of Europe.

The Bavarian Forest has been described as as black, or dense, as any, in a clear reference to the more famous Black Forest in southwestern Germany. The comparison is fair – the natural beauty here approaches that of the more famous area but it is still relatively undiscovered by international tourists. Not surprisingly, the Bavarian Forest is very popular with budget conscious German families who enjoy the excellent facilities at vastly lower prices than in the Black Forest or Bavarian Alps.

The Bayerischer Wald area is a haven for outdoor activities – cultural and architectural sights take a clear back seat here to natural beauty.

In summer, countless hiking trails and 1,500 km/930 miles of dedicated long-distance cycling routes await the active visitor.
In winter, 2,000 km/1,240 miles of cross-country skiing trails and several downhill skiing slopes can be enjoyed at bargain prices.

Snowfall in the Bayerischer Wald is reliable with the skiing season lasting from mid-December to mid-March. The weather can be harsh with temperatures below that of the Bavarian Alps and snow in higher areas up to early May. Many sights are closed during November, which is generally quite bleak.

The Bavarian Forest National Park

At the heart of the forest is the Bavarian Forest National Park, the oldest national park in Germany. It has 320 km/200 miles of hiking routes and 170 km/106 miles of cross-country skiing trails. In contrast to the nature parks that cover most of the region, the national park is without towns and large settlements. Here, nature is allowed to go its course unhindered. This is the best place to see wildlife, which include rarely spotted lynxes.

Tourist Office

Several organizations claim to be Bavarian Forest information offices. Many are official bodies but represent only a limited part of the forest. The official information office for the whole area is the Tourismusverband Ostbayern, Luitpoldstraße 20, 93047 Regensburg, tel 0941-585-390, fax 0941-585-3939.

Transportation in the Bayerischer Wald

Railway connections in the Bavarian Forest are rather limited, as one would expect of an area with a low population density.

Bodenmais, Bayerisch Eisenstein, Zwiesel, Grafenau, and Regen can be reached on the link via Deggendorf from Landshut and Munich. From Passau and Regensburg, change at Plattling.

Cham is on a different line and can be reached from Regensburg via Schwardorf.

Good bus services are available to reach smaller towns. Leisure buses also frequent the area bringing hikers, cyclers, and skiers close to the favorite destinations.

Bayerwald Ticket

The Bayerwald-Ticket is available weekdays after 8 am and weekend all day. This ticket allows unlimited use of the railway north of Gotteszell and most buses in the Bavarian Forest for €6 per day. The ticket is available from railway stations and on participating buses.

Note that Cham and surroundings are not included!

Next:

Museumsdorf - Open-Air Museum Town
Zwiesel - Glass Studios
Outdoor Adventures - Hiking, Cycling, Canoeing, Skiing
Hotels & Restaurants

23 February 2008