Bavarian ForestAbout Bavarian Forest
The Bavarian Forest is a low-mountain region in eastern Bavaria along the German-Czech border, characterised by dense conifer and mixed woodland, rounded peaks and glacially carved valleys. It forms a contiguous natural area with the Czech Bohemian Forest (Šumava) to the east.
Outdoor recreation is a primary draw, with extensive hiking and cycling networks, winter sports facilities and wildlife watching opportunities. The area includes protected zones and older-growth woodland areas where natural processes are prioritised.
Conservation efforts led to the creation of the Bavarian Forest National Park in 1970, which established zones of strict protection alongside managed forest and visitor facilities. Traditional forest industries such as glassmaking and timber have historically shaped local towns and villages.
The range lies in the state of Bavaria, in Germany’s southeast, and is accessible from regional centres such as Regensburg and the towns that fringe the park.
- Highest summit: Großer Arber reaches 1,456 metres and is the highest point in the Bavarian Forest, with trails and viewpoints accessible from nearby towns.
What to See#
- Bavarian Forest National Park: Bavarian Forest National Park, established in 1970 as Germany’s first national park, preserves large tracts of native mountain forest and strict rewilding zones.
- Großer Arber peak: Großer Arber, the range’s highest summit at 1,456 metres, offering marked hiking routes and an alpine environment within the forested massif.
Best Time to Visit Bavarian Forest
The Bavarian Forest is best visited in summer for hiking or in winter for snow activities, with autumn offering attractive foliage and fewer crowds.
Weather & Climate near Bavarian Forest
Bavarian Forest's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -5°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (888 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -5° - 0° | -7° | 67 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -5° - 2° | -5° | 56 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -1° - 6° | -1° | 62 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 1° - 11° | 4° | 54 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 6° - 17° | 12° | 74 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 9° - 19° | 14° | 98 mm | - | - | 2.6 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 11° - 21° | 16° | 104 mm | - | - | 2.6 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 11° - 21° | 16° | 89 mm | - | - | 2.4 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 8° - 17° | 12° | 71 mm | - | - | 2.5 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 3° - 11° | 5° | 66 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -1° - 5° | -1° | 66 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -3° - 2° | -5° | 81 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Bavarian Forest
The Bavarian Forest is a large protected and mountainous area in eastern Bavaria. Common road access is by car from regional cities: it lies east of Regensburg and north of Passau; from Munich the drive is roughly 130-170 km east and typically takes about 2 hours on the motorways and connecting federal roads.
Within the region, small towns such as Grafenau, Zwiesel and Bodenmais serve as trailheads; local buses and tourist bus lines connect those towns to hiking and ski areas, with short walks from bus stops to trailheads.
Tips for Visiting Bavarian Forest
- Begin hikes from the Neuschönau/Lusen area and include the Baumwipfelpfad (Neuschönau treetop walk) if you want a short, high viewpoint experience many visitors miss.
- Visit on weekday mornings to avoid weekend walkers from nearby cities; the national park's quieter trails and forest interior are best enjoyed before mid-morning.
- Consider combining a Bavarian Forest visit with a short crossing to the Czech Šumava/Bohemian Forest to extend quieter ridge hikes and see the cross-border landscape.