Travel guide Bavarian Forest
Step out of the holiday apartment into the fresh air – this is the weather in the Bavarian Forest
The climate here is varied. In winter, large amounts of snow can fall on the mountain peaks, which especially delights skiers and tobogganing fans. In summer, it does not get too hot, which is convenient for those who like to be active outdoors. Climate tables show temperatures up to 27 degrees in the summer months, with the sun pampering you for an average of seven hours per day from May to September. In winter, the continental influence can make itself felt and send cold easterly winds. It's good to then cozy up in your accommodation by the crackling fireplace. The winters in the Bavarian Forest are known for being snowy, and thus Neuschönau offers groomed cross-country ski trails, numerous winter hiking trails, and the ski area in Waldhäuser.
Pure nature experience – what you should see during your vacation in the Bavarian Forest
The greatest attraction here is the untouched nature and the breathtaking landscape! Together with the Upper Palatinate Forest and the Neuburger Forest, the Bavarian Forest forms the largest contiguous forest area in Bavaria. Beyond the border, the Bohemian Forest in the Czech Republic and the Sauwald in Austria continue, making it the largest forest area in Europe. Discover your wild side while hiking and explore mountains, valleys, lakes, waterfalls, and raised bogs. Two nature parks and the national park bring you closer to the local flora and fauna. In all parts of the region, you will find worthwhile excursion destinations:
The Bavarian Forest Museum Village in
Passau Land is one of the largest museum villages in Europe. Its focus is on the traditional, rural architecture of the Bavarian Forest from 1580 to 1850. In
Arberland, glassworks and glass art await visitors. Particularly worth seeing: The Joska Glass Paradise in Bodenmais. Here you can learn all about glassmaking and even try your hand at glassblowing during the summer months. In
Deggendorf & Surroundings, you can relax in Germany's only public Feng Shui park in Lalling. Or explore the history of automobiles at the Fahrzeug- und Kunstmuseum Streicher in Lalling-Strizling. In the National Park Holiday Region Bavarian Forest, be sure not to miss climbing the treetop path at the National Park Center Lusen in Neuschönau. Provided you're not afraid of heights! A special experience, in addition to the treetop path, is also a tour through the adjacent animal enclosure, where you can encounter wolves, bears, and many other native wild animals. Reach great heights at the Skywalk observation platform in the holiday region
Upper Bavarian Forest. On a clear day, you can even see the Alps! Discover real primeval forest and pristine nature on the Urwaldsteig trail in the hiking park Bayerisch Eisenstein.
Vacation in the holiday apartment – museums and galleries invite you
You will find interesting museums in many places in the region. Many are dedicated to the history and customs of the region, such as the Brewery Museum in Zwiesel or the Open Air Museum in Finsterau. The Wolfstein Gallery presents works by contemporary artists from Eastern Bavaria. You can also admire modern art at the Gallery in Wolferlhof near Bad Kötzting and in the Kuns(t)räume grenzenlos in Bayerisch Eisenstein. During the warm months, be sure not to miss one of the performances on the open-air stages. A secret tip for classical music fans is the Blaibach Concert Hall. The avant-garde concrete cube of the concert hall is a real attraction and has won multiple awards. The high-quality concerts attract visitors from all over the country to the village between Bad Kötzting and Miltach.
Down-to-earth Bavarian – snacks and hearty home cooking
Let the hospitable people here spoil you. The cuisine of the Bavarian Forest is hearty and down-to-earth. Enjoy proper hearty home cooking in the mountain huts, inns, and restaurants. Try a real pork roast with bread dumplings. Fresh forest mushrooms also go well with the dumplings. Of course, a freshly tapped beer, the Bavarian national drink, is a must. Everywhere you can get authentic regional specialties, such as wild salami, smoked trout, "Geselchtes", farmer's bread, and goat cheese, so nothing stands in the way of a hearty snack in your holiday apartment.
Family vacation in a quiet location in the heart of the low mountain range
The beautiful holiday region is particularly family-friendly. Whether summer or winter, a vacation in a house in the Bavarian Forest, for example in Frauenau or Zwiesel, is an experience for the whole family and children. No matter the season, nature always invites you to go hiking extensively. Many hiking trails are tailored to families with children and are even passable with a stroller. For little explorers, there are adventure trails that never let boredom arise. A special highlight is the Kingfisher Trail, a via ferrata in Arnschwang-Nößwartling. It offers adventure for the whole family. Besides child-friendly hiking tours, the Bavarian Forest has more adventures for the little ones to offer. For example, you can explore the exciting world underground at Silberberg or try archery. Many offers, such as the Glass Forest in the town of Regen, the Quadfeldmühle leisure area in Cham, or the Buchet Wildlife Park in Bernried, are free to access. In the winter months, your dream destination is ideal for a
ski vacation. Ski areas suitable for beginners and advanced skiers, small and large slope artists, can be found, among others, at Großer Arber and at Silberberg. Großer Arber, at 1455 meters, is the highest mountain of the Bohemian Forest and Bavarian Forest and of Lower Bavaria. Hiking on Lusen is a must for active vacationers. The 1373-meter-high mountain is accessed by the Himmelsleiter with heavenly views. Beginners in winter sports will find ideal conditions for skiing and snowboarding at Geyersberg in Freyung. Cross-country skiing enthusiasts will also get their money's worth on the trails in the Bavarian Forest, for example, at the Hirschenstein-Grandsberg cross-country skiing center in the holiday region of Sankt Englmar or at the Aktivzentrum Bodenmais. The Bavarian Forest is also recommended for a
vacation with a dog at any time of the year. You can explore the entire area of the Bavarian Forest National Park and its primeval forests with your four-legged friend. However, you should keep the dog on a leash. Your dog can also accompany you, your family, and children on your hikes through the forest. Many excursion destinations also allow your furry friend, such as the Wild Garden in Furth im Wald, the archaeological adventure park Gabreta in Lichtenau, or the Western town Pullman City in Eging am See. Whatever you discover and explore, whether you are on two or four legs or hiking: The privately owned domicile is the ideal "base camp" for your activities and excursions. Here, you can comfortably end a busy day between treetops and mountain peaks. You don't have to forego comfort in your affordable private accommodation: The holiday homes and apartments are modernly equipped, many with Wi-Fi. Even apartments with a pool, swimming pool, or sauna are available. So you can really let your soul dangle, the affordable houses in the Bavarian Forest are located in idyllic and quiet locations. Grafenau is a state-recognized health resort and winter sports place in the heart of the holiday region at the Bavarian Forest National Park. In the animal enclosure, your whole family can learn all about animals in enclosures and in the wild, plants, and the various rock formations of the region. Definitely worth a trip, as well as the Großer Falkenstein and the Bayerwald Animal Park Lohberg!
Wild Perchten, noble knights – highlights in the Bavarian Forest
You are in Bavaria, and celebrations are also frequent in the Bavarian Forest travel destination. Folk festivals take place throughout the year. If you are on vacation in the holiday accommodation during the winter months, you should visit one of the traditional Rauhnacht meetings with witches, Krampuses, Perchten, and other spooky figures. In summer, medieval festivals attract visitors, such as the Pandurenfest in Spiegelau or the historic castle festival around Wolfstein Castle. Rent a holiday accommodation, a wonderful holiday home, for example in Grafenau, Waldmünchen, or Freyung, or a holiday apartment and experience an exciting journey full of relaxation.