Bavarian Forest: The best hiking trails for your holidays!
In the Bavarian Forest, you will experience pure hiking pleasure. The low mountain range region in eastern Bavaria forms the largest forest landscape in Central Europe and is home to both the oldest national park and the only primeval forest in Germany. Leisure hikers will get their money's worth just as much as peak climbers. On the royal stage of the Goldsteig premium hiking trail, you can climb eight thousand-meter peaks in a row.
Table of contents
Bavarian Forest - 8 special hiking trails
Hirschenstein hike
Be sure to plan a hike to the Hirschenstein observation tower during your vacation in the Bavarian Forest. The Grandsberg hiking parking lot near Schwarzach is a good starting point. In the first part of the route, signs with the green 3 will guide you. The mystical Grimmeisenweiher, surrounded by forest, is perfect for the first rest. From the small body of water, the ascent to Schufleck follows. From here, you continue to the summit of Hirschenstein, where a 7-meter-high stone observation tower stands. From the top, you can see as far as the Alps in good weather. You can return via hiking trail No. 2.
Hans Watzlik Grove Jungle Experience Trail
The Hans-Watzlik-Hain is a small, primeval forest-like woodland in the Bavarian Forest, located between the Zwieslerwaldhaus and the Schwellhäusl in Bayerisch Eisenstein. Here, the Thick Fir impresses with a trunk diameter of 2 meters and an enormous height, alongside other remnants of the former primeval forests like beeches and spruces. There is a primeval forest experience trail that runs for about 500 meters through this section. On the Green Triangle hiking route, it represents a small detour. The tallest fir here reaches a height of over 50 meters, making a visit to this impressive forest section well worth it.
Pfahl Circular Route No. 4
Your hike to the Großer Pfahl begins at the hiking parking lot behind the Riedbach Bridge. First, you climb a few steps that lead to the start of the hiking trail. Information boards provide more details about this unique geotope. Trail No. 4 is also known as the winter hiking trail and passes by a long valley. The rocks become increasingly imposing, the terrain steeper. The trail leads around the Großer Pfahl with its white rock walls. Through the Prackenbach river valley, you reach Geigenmühle. Now it goes downhill through the forest to Tresdorf. On the way back, you pass the Großer Pfahl again.
Bergkamm hiking trail (entry to the high-altitude hike Arber high tour)
Experience the diverse landscape around the Kaitersberg on this 13-kilometer ridge hiking trail. The hiking time is about seven hours with good fitness. Start the tour at Zellertal station near Bad Kötzting, which takes you past the Kreuzfelsen, the Räuber-Heigl cave, and the Rauchröhren. The hike repeatedly impresses with views, including into the Lamer Winkel and down into the Zellertal. From the Plattensteig at 788 meters to the Großer Riedelstein at 1,132 meters, you traverse untouched nature that is home to rare plants and animals. The endpoint of the ridge hiking trail is finally the mountain inn Eck.
Riesloch Falls Trail
The Riesloch Falls are located near the small town of Bodenmais in the middle of the Bavarian Forest and promise a wonderful idyll. Here, in a gorge, four streams combine to form a magnificent small waterfall that flows down the rocks. Especially after the snow melts or during heavy rain, it is an impressive natural spectacle. One of the easiest ways to the Riesloch Falls starts at the Riesloch Falls hiking parking lot in Bodenmais. The circular route is only about 3.8 kilometers long and leads through the shady, idyllic forest to the waterfalls and back. At the same time, it can of course be wonderfully combined with the numerous other hiking trails in the region.
Castle Path
In the middle of the Bavarian Forest, Falkenstein Castle entices with its fascinating castle and rock park for dreamlike hiking excursions. The forest-rich region near Cham delights with its moss-covered rock formations and medieval sights. Of the four short, well-signposted hiking routes, there is much to discover, especially on the Castle Trail. It leads you directly up to the historic Falkenstein Castle. On the approximately 2-kilometer route, you pass the romantic castle chapel and the former defensive fortification Schanzl before reaching the courtyard of the over 900-year-old fortress. There, you can visit the castle museum and enjoy the extensive view from the keep.
Haidmühle – Dreisessel
A paved path leads to the Marien Chapel and continues to the edge of the forest. After crossing the Dreisessel road, you will soon reach the Kreuzbachklause, where you can take a short break. From here, it goes uphill. The landscape becomes rockier and more barren until you reach the Hochstein with its summit cross. According to an old legend, three princes are said to have settled on the Dreisessel. The princes deceived three princesses: instead of marrying them, they banished them to the Plöckenstein Lake. From the Dreisessel, you have a magnificent view of the surroundings. The way back is via the Ewigkeitsstraße and through the Hochwald.
Hohenbogenweg (R1)
The Hohenbogen mountain range stretches over 8 kilometers with its peaks through the Bavarian Forest. Start from the center of Rimbach on the Hohenbogenweg (R1) and explore the untouched nature of this mountain landscape. The highlight is the viewing platform at Hohenbogen: from here, a 360° panorama opens up to you. At the beginning, the Hohenbogenweg runs past the forest service hut and the broadcasting tower of Bayerischer Rundfunk. On the total 18-kilometer hike, unique geology and history meet in rock formations and castle ruins. Stop along the route and experience what makes Bavarian hospitality so special.