Bayerischer Wald

Along the border between Bavaria and the Czech Republic extends the Bavarian Forest National Park at the area between Bayerisch Eisenstein (within the administrative district of Regen) and Mauth (within the administrative district of Freyung-Grafenau). On October 7, 1970, this large-scale protected area was inaugurated as Germany's very first national park. In connection with the neighboring Šumava National Park in the Czech Republic, it forms the largest contiguous forest reserve throughout Central Europe. The guiding principle in the Bavarian Forest National Park on more than 24,000 hectare is: "let nature be nature”.
According to this philosophy, the forest with its bogs, mountain streams and summits may develop into a limitless forest wilderness according to its very own laws. In this way, yesterday’s economic woodlands become the native jungle forests of tomorrow. Unique biodiversity is a result. Rare animals, such as lynx, otter, capercaillie or ural owl are able to find a habitat again. In addition, there are 16 species of beetles, which are considered to be primeval forest relics and only occur in extremely pristine forests. The strong biodiversity is based, among other things, on the high percentage of deadwood, which serves as basis and habitat for hundreds of insects, fungi and birds. Natural processes of growth and decay within the forest ecosystem are permitted in the national park, also by leaving behind those dead or windthrown trees in their natural environment.