Bavarian Forest: Wildlife, Treetop Walk and Hiking Trails

The Bavarian Forest appeals to a range of travel interests: at the Lusen National Park Centre, wildlife watching, plant habitats and geological history are all in focus, alongside a treetop walk; a network of hiking and cycling trails also offers opportunities for active outings. Cultural history ranges from an exhibition on forest history to the region’s glassmaking tradition. When planning your stay, it is worth first considering which of these aspects you would like to shape your visit.

Observe and understand nature

At the wildlife enclosure of the Lusen National Park Centre, visitors can observe around 40 mammal and bird species across more than 200 hectares, in spacious, near-natural enclosures and aviaries. The plant enclosure around the Hans-Eisenmann-Haus covers four hectares and showcases several hundred plant species in their natural habitats and communities. Both areas bring different aspects of nature to life.

The geological outdoor area offers insights into the region’s geological history; some of the rocks on display there are more than 500 million years old. At the Hans-Eisenmann-Haus, the permanent exhibition “Paths into Nature – A Story of Forest and People” introduces visitors to the secrets of Bavarian Forest National Park. The 1,300-metre-long treetop walk at the Lusen National Park Centre reaches up to 44 metres above the forest floor and offers views into and across the national park.

Exploring on foot and by bike

The Bavarian Forest Nature Park has around 7,000 kilometres of marked hiking trails. There are also around 1,100 kilometres of long-distance hiking trails in the Bavarian Forest. Local hiking trails in the nature park are marked with green signs and white lettering. The nature park features nine hikes along the Viechtach–Gotteszell railway line.

At the Lusen National Park Centre, a seven-kilometre circular trail invites you on an exploratory walk; shortcuts are possible. The grounds are suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, cleared in winter and freely accessible all year round. This allows you to adjust the length of the loop to suit your day’s plans without having to commit to the entire route.

Cyclists can use more than 200 kilometres of marked cycle paths in Bavarian Forest National Park. Cycling tours starting from Bavarian Forest National Park can also be used to explore neighbouring Šumava National Park. Border crossings for trips across the border are available near Bayerisch Eisenstein, Finsterau and at Gsenget; check the current conditions for trails and crossings before setting out.

Transport and visitor facilities

For hikes in the Bavarian Forest Nature Park, you can use the Waldbahn railway and GUTi bus routes, making point-to-point hikes or sections of a circular route possible. Four Waldbahn lines serve the Bavarian Forest National Park region. The Igelbus buses complement the rail network and reach important national park facilities and hiking trail starting points. Check timetables and operating hours for your travel dates.

Visitor facilities in Bavarian Forest National Park include the Falkenstein National Park Centre, with the House of Wilderness, wildlife enclosure and Stone Age cave, as well as the Lusen National Park Centre, with the Hans-Eisenmann-Haus, wildlife, plant and geological outdoor areas, and treetop walk. Other facilities include the St. Oswald Forest History Museum, the forest playground near Spiegelau and six information centres. All these facilities are free of charge and have limited barriers. If accessibility is important for your visit, check the current situation in advance.

Glass and events

In the Bavarian Forest, the glassmaking tradition is associated with historic glassmaking towns and contemporary art and craft businesses. Nearby, the Frauenau Glass Museum explains how glass is made and refined, the different areas of work in a glassworks, and life in a glassmaking town in the past. Its exhibition traces a historical arc from sand-core glass vessels of early civilisations to prunted glass of the Middle Ages, Art Nouveau vases and machine-made glass from the industrial age.

Bavarian Forest National Park offers a varied programme of guided tours and events for almost the entire year. The programme is seasonal; check it for your travel dates.

Choose accommodation based on your travel interests

Prioritising your interests first can help you focus your search on the experiences that matter most for your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Bayreuth, Berchtesgadener Land, Amberg-Sulzbach, Kitzingen, Kempten, Franconian Alb, Passau, Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

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