Attractions and Places To See in the Bavarian Forest - Top 20

The Bavarian Forest is renowned for its diverse natural features. You can explore ancient woodlands, majestic mountains, and impressive gorges. Highlights include the Großer Arber Summit, the highest mountain in the region, offering panoramic views, and the Lusen Summit, known for its unique granite dome and extensive views. The region is part of the largest protected forest area in Central Europe, the Bavarian Forest National Park.

For a spectacular natural display, visit the Riesloch Falls near Bodenmais. These waterfalls, reaching up to 200 meters in height, are considered the highest in the Bavarian Forest and are particularly impressive after heavy rain or snowmelt. The Lower Riesloch Falls also offer a beautiful natural spectacle.

Yes, the Bavarian Forest offers several family-friendly options. The Treetop Walk (Baumwipfelpfad) near Neuschönau provides an accessible and exciting way to experience the forest canopy. For amusement, consider the voglwuide Freizeitland in St. Englmar, which features Bavaria's longest rollercoaster, or the Edelwies amusement park in Neukirchen. The National Park Centers also offer engaging exhibits for all ages.

The region boasts a rich cultural heritage. The Museumsdorf Bayerischer Wald (Bavarian Forest Museum Village) in Tittling offers insights into historical daily life. Furth im Wald is known for its Dragon Museum and the annual Drachenstich Festival. You can also explore various towns like Zwiesel, Passau, and Regen, which offer local museums and cultural experiences.

The Bavarian Forest has a long and proud tradition of glassmaking. You can visit JOSKA Bodenmais (JOSKA Glasparadies) for glass-blowing classes, a Christmas market, and a large glass adventure world. Zwiesel Kristallglas is a world market leader, and its landmark is an eight-meter-high glass pyramid made from over 90,000 drinking glasses. The Glass Barn (Glashaus) in Viechtach also showcases unique glass art.

The Bavarian Forest is a hiker's paradise. Beyond the summits, popular destinations include the Riesloch Gorge, offering scenic and challenging trails. The National Park itself has hundreds of kilometers of trails. For more detailed routes, you can explore options like the 'Rißloch Waterfalls – Kleiner Arber Summit' loop or the 'Glass Ark in the Bavarian Forest – Lusen Summit' loop, which are part of the Mountain Hikes in the Bavarian Forest guide.

Yes, the Bavarian Forest offers many easy hiking options. For instance, the 'Ant Trail - Easy Tour around Zwieslerwaldhaus' and the 'Stone Fountain – Trifter Inn Schwellhäusl loop' are great choices. You can find more routes suitable for an easier pace in the Easy hikes in the Bavarian Forest guide.

Beyond hiking, the Bavarian Forest is excellent for cycling. You can find routes like 'Across the Upper Palatinate Lake District' or 'Panorama loop' in the Cycling in the Bavarian Forest guide. The region also offers opportunities for mountain biking, with trails like the Trans Bayerwald, and in winter, it transforms into a popular destination for skiing and cross-country skiing, especially around Grosser Arber.

The Bavarian Forest is beautiful year-round. For hiking and cycling, late spring to early autumn (May to October) offers pleasant weather. The waterfalls are particularly impressive after heavy rain or snowmelt. Winter (December to March) is ideal for snow sports, with destinations like Grosser Arber becoming popular ski resorts.

To fully experience the Bavarian Forest National Park, visit one of its National Park Centers, such as the National Park Centre Lusen at Neuschönau or the Hans-Eisenmann-Haus. These centers provide information, interactive exhibits, and often feature open-air animal parks. The park's ethos is 'Let nature be nature,' encouraging visitors to explore its untamed wilderness through extensive hiking and cycling trails.

Beyond the well-known peaks and waterfalls, the Bavarian Forest features unique natural formations like the Pfahl, a sharp quartz ridge dividing the forest, and the Schachten, high-altitude unforested clearings with ancient trees. These areas offer distinct ecological habitats and a glimpse into the region's historical land use.

Visitors frequently praise the breathtaking views from summits like Großer Arber Summit and Lusen Summit, often extending to the Alpine ridge on clear days. The scenic and sometimes challenging hiking trails, especially through areas like the Riesloch Gorge with its impressive waterfalls, are also highly appreciated. The overall experience of untamed nature and diverse landscapes is a major draw.