Exploring The Bavarian Forest: A Guide To Getting There

The Bavarian Forest National Park is located on the southeastern border of Germany, next to the Czech Republic. It is Germany's first national park and is known for its abundant wilderness, breathtaking landscapes, majestic peaks, and extensive hiking and biking trails. The park offers a unique opportunity to experience nature in its untouched state and explore the dense forest, gurgling streams, and mirror lakes.

To get to the Bavarian Forest National Park, you can fly into Germany and then take a train or drive to the park. The park is easily accessible by car, with parking available at the park's visitor centres. If you plan to use public transportation, the Waldbahn railway connects important parts of the Bavarian Forest region, including Plattling, Deggendorf, Zwiesel, Bodenmais, and Bayerisch Eisenstein. The Igelbus, or Hedgehog Bus, provides connections to more remote locations within the park and runs on natural gas. Additionally, several towns and villages in the park offer free tickets for local bus and train services to their guests.

Getting to Bavarian Forest National Park by car

Bavarian Forest National Park is located in the southeastern region of Germany, along the country's border with the Czech Republic. The park spans an area of 24,250 hectares or 93.50 square miles, and it is known for its stunning natural scenery, diverse wildlife, and abundance of outdoor activities.

If you're planning to drive to Bavarian Forest National Park, here are some important things to know:

Directions and Routes

The park is easily accessible by car from various directions. Here are the general routes you can take:

• If you're coming from the north, you can take the A6 or A93 highways towards Regensburg, and then continue on the B85 or B12 towards Bayerisch Eisenstein or Zwiesel.
• For those approaching from the west, take the A3 or A9 towards Regensburg, and then switch to the B85 or B12.
• If you're driving from the south, you can take the A3 towards Passau and then take the B85 towards Grafenau.
• Alternatively, you can take the A92 towards Deggendorf and then switch to the B11 towards Bayerisch Eisenstein.

Parking Availability

Once you arrive at the park, there are several parking options available. The National Park Centres at Lusen and Falkenstein both have parking areas. Additionally, there are parking lots located at various trailheads and visitor centres throughout the park.

Rules and Regulations

When visiting Bavarian Forest National Park by car, it's important to follow the park rules and regulations:

• Stick to the designated parking areas and avoid parking on roadsides or in unauthorized areas.
• Do not leave any litter behind. Dispose of your waste properly in the bins provided or carry it out with you.
• Respect the natural environment and wildlife. Do not disturb or feed the animals, and stay on the marked trails at all times.

Nearby Towns and Accommodations

If you're looking for accommodations near the park, there are several towns and villages that offer a range of options:

• Zwiesel: This town has an information centre for the park and is a convenient base for exploring the area.
• Bodenmais: A small town at the base of the Silberberg, offering ski resorts and outdoor activities.
• Bayerisch Eisenstein: A border town with a railway station, providing easy access to the park and nearby Pilsen in the Czech Republic.
• Neuschönau: Home to the National Park Centre Lusen, this town is a great option for those seeking a quieter stay.

In conclusion, driving to Bavarian Forest National Park is a convenient option, offering easy access from various directions. With proper planning and adherence to the park's rules, you can enjoy a seamless journey and make the most of your visit to this stunning natural destination.

Getting to Bavarian Forest National Park by train

The Bavarian Forest National Park is located in south-eastern Germany, and is easily accessible by rail. The region has a smart transport concept, enabling visitors to reach all the important locations in the National Park by public transport. The region's key junction stations in Plattling and Passau are served by IC and ICE express trains.

From Munich

The Bavarian Forest is about three hours from Munich by train. From Munich Central Station, take a Deutsch Bahn train towards Plattling, and from there, take a Bavarian regional train towards your destination. You can book mobile tickets on the DB Navigator App, which will generate a QR code to be used as your ticket.

From Erlangen

Take the train from Nürnberg Hbf to Plattling, and from there, take another train to Zwiesel. Alternatively, you can take a train from Erlangen to Neumarkt, followed by a train to Plattling, and then to Zwiesel.

From Bahnhof München-Pasing

Take the train from Munich Hbf to Plattling, and from there, take another train to Zwiesel.

Getting to Bavarian Forest National Park by plane

The Bavarian Forest National Park is located in south-eastern Germany, near the Czech border. The closest airport is Munich Airport, which is about a 2-hour drive from the park. Here are some options for getting to the Bavarian Forest National Park by plane:

From Munich Airport:

• By Car Rental: You can rent a car at the airport and drive to the park via the A3 motorway. Follow the signs for the National Park and take the appropriate exit depending on your destination within the park. The drive will take approximately 2 hours.
• By Train: From Munich Airport, you can take a train to Munich Central Station and then connect to a train towards Plattling or Passau. The key junction stations in Plattling and Passau are served by IC and ICE express trains. From Plattling, you can take the Waldbahn service towards Zwiesel, Bodenmais, or Bayerisch Eisenstein. From Passau, you can take the express bus 100 or the Ilztalbahn railway towards the National Park region. The journey will take approximately 3 hours.
• By Bus: There are also private bus companies that offer transfers from Munich Airport to the Bavarian Forest National Park. You can book these transfers in advance and they will take you directly to your accommodation or a designated meeting point in the park.

From Other Airports:

If you are flying into a different airport in Germany or a neighbouring country, you can still reach the Bavarian Forest National Park by plane. Here are some options:

• Frankfurt Airport: You can take a train from Frankfurt Airport to Munich Central Station and then follow the train instructions above. Alternatively, you can rent a car at the airport and drive to the park, which will take approximately 4 hours.
• Berlin Airports: From Berlin Tegel or Schönefeld Airport, you can take a flight to Munich and then follow the instructions above. Alternatively, you can take a train or fly to Nuremberg and then take a train or drive to the park.
• Vienna International Airport: If you are coming from Vienna, you can take a train to Passau and then take the express bus 100 or the Ilztalbahn railway towards the National Park region.

Getting to Bavarian Forest National Park by bus

Bavarian Forest National Park is located in south-eastern Germany, close to the Czech border. The park is easily accessible by road, and there are frequent buses and trains servicing the park's various entry points.

If you are travelling from Munich, you can take a train from Munich Hbf to Passau Hbf, and then take bus 100 to Grafenau or bus 6121 to Spiegelau. You can also take a bus from Munich to Seidlstraße station and change there to get the bus to Bad Füssing, Füssinger Hof station. From Erlangen, you can take a bus to Passau central train station and then change to get the bus to Spiegelau.

The region has a smart transport concept, which enables visitors to reach all the important locations in the National Park by public transport. Visitors to many of the region's municipalities and towns can even use the network for free. Local rail and Igelbus services are the most relaxing way to travel between the key trailheads and visitor facilities. The GUTi (Gästeservice Umwelt-Ticket), the visitor card for environmentally-friendly transport, allows free travel throughout the region. The express bus line 100 and its feeder lines form a rapid connection to the Bavarian Forest National Park from Passau via Waldkirchen and Freyung.

The international airports at Munich and Prague provide access to the region.

Getting to Bavarian Forest National Park by bike

Bavarian Forest National Park is located in the highlands between the Danube River and the Bohemian Forest, in the eastern part of Bavaria. The park runs along the main ridge of the Bavarian Forest from the Großer Falkenstein in the northwest to the Lusen in the southeast. The park covers 24,250 hectares of forest, including the low mountain range of the Bavarian Forest.

Cyclists can access the park via a 200-km-long (124 miles) clearly marked biking trail that connects the forest with Šumava National Park in the Czech Republic. This trail offers a unique opportunity to explore the park's tourist highlights and isolated regions. It is important to note that cycling, whether with conventional bicycles or e-bikes, is only permitted on the well-maintained and clearly marked routes within the park. Mountain bike tours that lead directly through the core area of the park are strictly prohibited.

The journey to the park by bike promises breathtaking landscapes, majestic peaks, mirror lakes, and an extensive network of cycling paths. The park's three key peaks, Großer Rachel, Lusen, and Großer Falkenstein, offer challenging terrain for cyclists, with elevations ranging from 4,281 feet to 4,767 feet. The park's dense forest, rolling hills, and abundant wildlife provide a serene and peaceful escape from the world, allowing nature to take centre stage.

Along the way, cyclists can enjoy the picturesque lake, Rachelsee, steeped in local myths and legends. The crystal-clear mirror lake is believed to be named after the devil's grandmother, Rachel, and is surrounded by majestic peaks and pristine nature. The park also features fascinating attractions such as the tree-top walk, which offers a 1,300-metre-long wooden barrier-free walkway leading to a dome-shaped observation tower with uninterrupted views of the forest and the snow-clad Alps.

For those seeking a cross-border adventure, the neighbouring Czech Šumava National Park is easily accessible via border crossings at Bayerisch Eisenstein, Finsterau, and Gsenget. The Bavarian Forest National Park is a haven for nature lovers and adventurers, offering a vast network of cycling paths that showcase the beauty and diversity of the region.

Frequently asked questions