Bavarian Forest is a low-mountain region in Germany bordering the Czech Republic, characterized by ancient woodlands, majestic mountains, and diverse natural formations. This area is renowned for its commitment to preserving untamed nature, making it an exceptional destination for outdoor pursuits. The landscape features dense forests, prominent peaks like Großer Arber, and significant rivers, offering varied terrain suitable for several sports like hiking, touring cycling, mountain biking, road cycling, and more.
The Bavarian Forest…
243
Routes
4.7
(26268)
Average rating
109842
People visited

4.9
(1566)
5,925
hikers
12.2km
03:57
530m
530m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.8
(1143)
5,078
hikers
8.60km
02:21
140m
130m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(501)
2,202
hikers
11.2km
03:43
510m
510m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.8
(775)
2,578
hikers
11.5km
03:04
130m
120m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.8
(185)
708
riders
60.0km
04:06
350m
350m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(101)
421
riders
44.1km
02:53
170m
160m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(77)
355
riders
59.4km
04:27
560m
560m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(77)
397
riders
29.1km
02:22
660m
660m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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4.6
(89)
389
riders
25.1km
02:13
570m
570m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.6
(46)
135
riders
36.6km
02:34
700m
700m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(43)
143
riders
34.7km
02:26
480m
480m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.5
(39)
111
riders
26.0km
01:56
320m
320m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.7
(40)
662
runners
10.2km
01:03
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(45)
642
runners
6.72km
00:42
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(21)
328
runners
10.2km
01:04
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(6)
299
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.4
(7)
368
riders
81.3km
04:40
1,890m
1,890m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.6
(15)
294
riders
79.6km
03:32
700m
700m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.4
(39)
283
riders
49.5km
02:02
110m
110m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.5
(36)
247
riders
51.5km
02:00
110m
110m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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5.0
(15)
83
hikers
18.4km
06:28
910m
910m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

5.0
(5)
21
hikers
9.60km
03:49
590m
600m
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(6)
23
hikers
11.5km
04:22
630m
630m
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.7
(3)
60
hikers
13.0km
04:30
630m
630m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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5.0
(1)
23
riders
55.1km
03:58
1,230m
1,230m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(5)
44
riders
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

4.7
(10)
56
riders
62.0km
03:41
420m
420m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(4)
35
riders
67.7km
04:10
250m
250m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Six wonderful hikes around Bavaria’s Großer Arber
Hiking Collection by
Großer Arber - Bayerischer Wald
Wild Winter Hikes in Bayerischer Wald National Park
Hiking Collection by
Nationalpark Bayerischer Wald
The Upper Palatinate Castle Trail — 9 days in picturesque northern Bavaria
Hiking Collection by
komoot
The Bavarian Forest offers a wide range of outdoor activities including Hiking, Touring cycling, Mountain biking, Road cycling, Jogging, and Mountaineering. The region features more than 36,000 routes across these sports, with an average rating of 4.58 stars from komoot users.
The Bavarian Forest National Park provides 217 miles (350 kilometers) of marked hiking trails. Notable options include the Goldsteig and Baierweg long-distance trails, as well as routes to Riesloch Falls, Lusen Summit, and Großer Arber Summit. More information can be found in the Hiking in the Bavarian Forest guide.
Yes, the Bavarian Forest offers extensive cycling opportunities from April to October. The National Park alone has over 120 miles (200 kilometers) of well-signposted bike paths. Routes range from relaxed valley rides to challenging mountain tours, including sections of the Danube cycle path. Consult the Cycling in the Bavarian Forest guide for details.
The Bavarian Forest National Park features 124 miles (200 kilometers) of mountain biking trails. These trails cater to various skill levels, offering diverse experiences for mountain bikers. The MTB Trails in the Bavarian Forest guide provides further information.
The Bavarian Forest offers several family-friendly hiking options, including accessible trails and attractions like the Treetop Walk near Neuschönau. These routes are designed to be enjoyable for all ages. For specific recommendations, refer to the Family-friendly hikes in the Bavarian Forest guide.
Key natural attractions include the Riesloch Falls, glacial lakes like Kleiner Arbersee and Rachelsee, and prominent summits such as Großer Arber (1,456 m), Großer Rachel (1,453 m), and Lusen (1,373 m). The Treetop Walk also offers unique forest canopy views. The Pfahl, a 93-mile (150 km) quartz rock formation, is another notable geological feature.
Many trails in the Bavarian Forest are dog-friendly, allowing visitors to explore the region with their pets. Specific regulations may apply within the National Park or on certain routes. A dedicated Dog-friendly hikes in the Bavarian Forest guide is available.
The Bavarian Forest offers numerous easy hiking trails suitable for beginners or those seeking less strenuous options. These routes cater to various fitness levels and provide accessible ways to experience the landscape. The Easy hikes in the Bavarian Forest guide can help locate suitable paths.
Komoot offers several guides for the Bavarian Forest, including Hiking in the Bavarian Forest, Family-friendly hikes, Hikes from bus stations, Waterfall hikes, Cycling, Traffic-free bike rides, Dog-friendly hikes, MTB Trails, Easy hikes, and Road Cycling Routes.
The Bavarian Forest promotes 'gentle tourism' and offers a Guest Service Environmental Ticket (GUTi). This ticket allows guests staying in 25 participating communities to use buses and forest trains for free. This initiative supports eco-friendly travel within the region.
Information regarding the Bavarian Forest National Park is available on its official website, www.nationalpark-bayerischer-wald.de. For general inquiries, the administration can be reached at +49 8552 9600-0.
Großer Arber is the highest mountain in the Bavarian Forest, reaching an elevation of 4,777 feet (1,456 meters). It offers panoramic views and is accessible via a cable car.

