Detours | Bavarian Forest National Park
Hiking at the Heart of the Wilderness

In the Bavarian Forest National Park, hiking enthusiasts will experience a kind of nature that can be found virtually nowhere else in Germany these days: over 350 kilometres of trails take you through forests, peat bogs and up to mountain peaks.

By Sarah Klein

A true paradise awaits lovers of the great outdoors in the Bavarian Forest National Park. Spanning an area of more than 24,000 hectares, it is Germany’s oldest national park. And here’s another superlative: together with the adjoining Šumava National Park in the Czech Republic, it constitutes the largest contiguous forest protection area in Central Europe!

It isn’t just the size of the park that stands out, however – its philosophy does too: “Leave nature the way nature intended”. Windblow, bark beetles and decay are all part of the circle of life here. The result is an impressive wilderness that is constantly changing and offers hikers insights into the dynamic forces at play in a forest.

More than 350 kilometres of marked hiking trails crisscross the park – with anything from gentle strolls to challenging mountain hikes on offer. The Grosser Rachel (1,453 m) and the Lusen (1,373 m) are popular peaks, and naturally feature spectacular views. Wooden paths take you across raised peat bogs, while the treetop walkway at Neuschönau gives nature-lovers the chance to admire the forest from a different – albeit rather dizzying – perspective.

Animals you won’t see in your local forest are also at home here, like the lynx, capercaillie, wolf and red deer. With a bit of luck, you might even spot one.

Last but not least, visitor centres such as the Hans-Eisenmann-Haus are the perfect spot to take a break while quenching your thirst for knowledge at the same time: in cooperation with the Falkenstein National Park Centre, the Hans-Eisenmann-Haus conducts intensive research into natural forest development, biodiversity and climate change. Long-term studies and monitoring techniques provide valuable data that are valued by scientists worldwide. Close collaboration with universities and international research networks ensures that the park is more than just a place for recreation and relaxation – it is a true living laboratory.