Bavarian Forest

The mountain range of the Bavarian Forest formed about 530 million years ago. At that time, the region was characterized by high and rugged peaks. Over time, wind, the weather, heat, the cold, and general erosion managed to shrink the height of the mountains to the present low range we see today. The most resistance came from the heavy, blue granite, which still remains after softer and more brittle material gave way to erosion.

The Bavarian Forest National Park was created in 1970 as the first of its kind in Germany. With its quiet lakes, dark forests, and deep gorges, it is one of the most rugged regions in Germany. Several areas are designated as primeval forests and are particularly pristine. Animal species such as lynx and otters, which had been thought to be extinct in the region, still live here. Valuable information about the local flora and fauna can be found at the national park's centers and information points.

The unspoiled nature makes the Bavarian Forest a popular hiking and biking destination. It is here that you can forget everyday life, take a deep breath, enjoy the variety of nature, and hike as far as your feet will take you.

Numerous hiking routes lead through the middle of the forest, past romantic villages and flower-covered meadows and hills. You will find a rich network of local routes as well as long-distance hiking trails, some of which cross the border and lead into the fascinating Bohemian Forest. Or you can hike or cycle along historic trade routes between the Danube and Bohemia, follow the tracks of former salt miners, glass traders, and pandurs and discover the Bavarian Forest and the "Green Roof of Europe" for yourself.

In addition to hiking and biking, you can also enjoy mountaineering, trail running, or jogging. Numerous cross-country ski trails and several ski resorts also attract visitors to the region during the nice winter months.

One of the oldest crafts in the Bavarian Forest is glassmaking. As early as the 15th century, this precious and fragile commodity was already being produced in the Bavarian-Bohemian border region, as raw materials such as quartz and wood were available in abundance. Initially, itinerant glassworks were built, which were relocated as soon as the raw materials at the corresponding location were exhausted.

Glass is still produced even today in the Bavarian Forest. In factories that have opened to visitors, you can look over the shoulders of the glassmakers at their work. Along the Glasstraße vacation route, for example, which runs through both the Bavarian Forest and the Upper Palatinate Forest, there are a number of places where the 700-year-old tradition of glassmaking is alive and well. These include the Weinfurt glass village, where around 170 professionals work and live. In the glass museum in Passau, you can immerse yourself in the history of the craft and marvel at valuable pieces dating between 1650 and 1950.