Plizio Visual Lab

Bayerischer Wald

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Forest

Weather…

The Bavarian Forest stretches along the border between Germany and the Czech Republic and, together with the adjacent Bohemian Forest, forms the largest contiguous forest area in Central Europe. Located in eastern Bavaria, it covers an area of approximately 2,000 square kilometers and reaches its highest peak at the Großer Arber, at 1,456 meters. In 1970, Germany's first national park was established here, which today serves as a core zone for protecting untouched natural processes. Geologically, the region is dominated by crystalline basement rocks consisting of granite and gneiss. Its economic history is closely tied to glass production, which has been practiced along the famous Glass Road since the Middle Ages. The flora and fauna are characterized by rare species such as the lynx, the otter, and the peregrine falcon. The region's harsh climate is often referred to as 'Bavarian Siberia,' highlighting the significance of forestry and winter tourism. Today, the area is a major recreational hub for hikers and nature enthusiasts.

Location: Bavaria, Germany
Top sights: Museumsschlösschen Theresienthal · Holzkapelle · Bauernhausmuseum Lindberg
Nearby: Regen (11 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-3	-2	3	8	12	16	18	18	13	8	3	-1
Rain mm	78	58	64	49	89	99	97	100	68	64	63	73

📋 Practical info

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Getting there

The national park region is widely accessible via well-maintained regional roads from towns like Zwiesel and Grafenau, with numerous public bus connections serving main entrances.

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Best season

Summer is first-rate for extensive hiking on the vast trail network, while winter transforms the landscape into a snowy wonderland typically good for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

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Terrain & paths

The terrain varies significantly from very accessible flat boardwalks near visitor centers to steep, rocky, and highly challenging paths leading up to the prominent mountain peaks.

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What to bring

Sturdy, ankle-supporting hiking boots and layered, weather-resistant clothing are essential, and a detailed physical trail map is generally recommended as mobile signals can be unreliable.

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Parking

Numerous designated, often paid parking lots are systematically distributed near major visitor centers, trailheads, and animal enclosures across the entire forest region.

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Safety

Weather in this mid-mountain range can change rapidly, so checking forecasts is crucial, and visitors should never leave marked paths to protect the sensitive core wilderness zones.

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Time needed

Visits range from a focused half-day walk around the main animal enclosures to multi-day hiking expeditions exploring the deep forest expanses stretching toward the Czech border.

Geography

Coordinates

49.03000, 13.24000

Facts

Germany's first national park, established on October 7, 1970.
Großer Arber is the highest mountain in the region at 1,456 meters.
Forms Central Europe's largest forest area with the Bohemian Forest.
The regional Glass Road is approximately 250 kilometers long.
The reintroduction of the lynx was successfully achieved in the 1980s.
The world's longest treetop walk is located in Neuschönau.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

📍Zwiesel2 km · SExplore →

📍Regen11 km · SWExplore →

Großer Arber12 km · NWExplore →

Bavarian Forest – Lynxes15 km · SExplore →

Devil's Lake15 km · NExplore →

Black Lake17 km · NExplore →

Bavarian Forest Zoo Lohberg18 km · NWExplore →

Bohemian Forest19 km · EExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Bayerischer Wald (10)

Museumsschlösschen Theresienthal🏛 museum

Museum in the Bavarian Forest.

Holzkapelle⛪ church

Cultural heritage monument D-2-76-130-26 (2) in Lindberg, Bavaria.

Bauernhausmuseum Lindberg 🏛 museum

Open-air museum in Lindberg.

🌐 bauernhausmuseum-lindberg.de🕒 May-Oct We 11:00-16:00, May-Oct Sa 11:00-16:00, May-Oct Su 1

Erholungsbad

Recreation pool in the Bavarian Forest.

Maria Namen

Church in the Bavarian Forest.

Kreuzkirche

Cultural heritage monument D-2-76-148-6 (0) in Zwiesel, Bavaria.

Glasmacherkapelle

Building in Zwiesel, Lower Bavaria, Germany.

Waldmuseum🏛 museum

Museum in Germany.

Langlaufzentrum

Attraction in the Bavarian Forest.

Kristallglaspyramide

Attraction in the Bavarian Forest.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is special about the Bavarian Forest National Park?

It was Germany's first national park (founded 1970) and follows the motto 'let nature be nature'.

Where is the treetop walk located?

In Neuschönau. The walk is 1,300 meters long and ends in a 44-meter high observation tower.

Which animals can be seen in the animal enclosures?

Lynxes, wolves, bears, and bison in large, natural enclosures near Neuschönau and Ludwigsthal.

What is the Glass Route?

A 250 km holiday route passing through towns famous for their glass-making tradition (e.g., Zwiesel).

What is the highest mountain in the Bavarian Forest?

The Großer Arber at 1,456 meters. It is also known as the 'King of the Bavarian Forest'.

Bayerischer Wald: where is it located?

Bayerischer Wald is located in Bavaria, Germany.

Bayerischer Wald: what is there to see?

Highlights include Museumsschlösschen Theresienthal, Holzkapelle, Bauernhausmuseum Lindberg.

Bayerischer Wald: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.

Bayerischer Wald: why is it worth visiting?

The Bavarian Forest stretches along the border between Germany and the Czech Republic and, together with the adjacent Bohemian Forest, forms the largest contiguous forest area in Central Europe.

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