National park · Germany
Bavarian Forest National ParkNationalpark Bayerischer Wald
Visit the park for a day: drive or take the shuttle to the Zwieseler Winkel gate, hike the Baumwipfelpfad (tree‑top walk) in 2 h for €5, then explore the trail network; avoid peak summer weekends.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
240 km² (93 sq mi)93 sq mi (240 km²)
approximate
Established
1970
Best months
Apr–Jun
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Germany ↗Germany is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Germany ↗Nazi symbols and gestures are criminal offences, including as jokes or souvenirs.
- Germany ↗Many city centres are low-emission zones: a car needs the right sticker (Umweltplakette) to enter.
At a glance
- Country
- Germany
- Area
- 240 km² (93 sq mi)93 sq mi (240 km²)
- Area varies by source; the core zone is about 240 km² of forest, plus a surrounding protection zone of roughly 100 km² (check).
- Established
- 1970
- Best months
- Apr–Jun
- Permits
- Not needed
Bavarian Forest National Park protects the most pristine part of the Bavarian Forest, offering extensive trail networks, a tree‑top canopy walkway, and cross‑border hikes into the Czech Bohemian Forest.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteGermany's first core‑zone nature reserve (check).
Size and age
240 km² (93 sq mi)93 sq mi (240 km²) · national park since 1970
Area varies by source; the core zone is about 240 km² of forest, plus a surrounding protection zone of roughly 100 km² (check).
Why go
- Large untouched forest with marked trails and a canopy walkway.
- Wildlife such as lynx, capercaillie and diverse fungi.
- Cross‑border hikes into the Bohemian Forest (Czech side).
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCold but quiet; good for wildlife spotting.
- FebSnowy trails, fewer visitors.
- MarEarly melt, fresh greens.
- AprBloom, moderate temps.
- MayFull foliage, pleasant weather.
- JunWarm, long daylight.
- JulPeak tourist season; trails busier.
- AugSame as July.
- SepLess crowded, early autumn colours.
- OctAutumn colours, cooler.
- NovCold, occasional snow.
- DecQuiet, festive atmosphere in nearby villages.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lynx, European wildcat, capercaillieApr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Mushroom foraging (fungi)Sep–Nov | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Deer, roe deerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Munich
A92 to Deggendorf, then B85 to Zwieseler Winkel; follow signs to the park gate.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Regensburg
A93 to the B11, then regional road to the gate.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Plattling (train hub)
Take the Waldbahn shuttle to Zwiesel, then local bus or taxi to the gate.
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Zwieseler Winkel entrance | Visitor centre, parking, trailheads, Baumwipfelpfad. | Open year‑round. |
| Lusen and Großer Rachel area | High‑altitude trails, panoramic viewpoints. | Marked paths, no guide required. |
| Border trail to Bohemian Forest | Cross‑border hiking route into Czech Republic. | Open, but passport may be checked at border. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are centre of the core zone; exact trailheads may vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tree‑top canopy walkway (Baumwipfelpfad) | EUR 5 (≈ US$6) | person | 2026 estimate. |
| Parking at Zwieseler Winkel gate | EUR 2–4 (≈ US$3–5) | vehicle | Seasonal rates, check signage. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- €5≈ US$6
- €2–4≈ US$3–5
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Nationalpark Bayerischer Wald official site before you go.
Park rules
- Dogs
- Allowed on leashes only; keep away from wildlife.
- Camping
- Only in designated campgrounds; backcountry camping prohibited.
- Fires
- Open fires not allowed; use provided grills in camp areas.
- Drones
- Prohibited without special permission.
- Bicycle use
- Allowed on marked bike paths; not on foot‑only trails.
Where to stay
Near the park
Deggendorf hotels
Range from budget inns to 4‑star hotels, 20 km (12 mi) from the gate.Range from budget inns to 4‑star hotels, 12 mi (20 km) from the gate.
Near the park
Neuschönau B&Bs
Cozy family rooms within walking distance of the canopy walkway.
Near the park
Camping Grafenau
Well‑equipped campsite with shower blocks, 15 km (9.3 mi) from the park.Well‑equipped campsite with shower blocks, 9.3 mi (15 km) from the park.
Safety
Sudden weather change medium
Wild boar encounters low
Getting lost on remote trails high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre and parking are car‑accessible with short walks.
- Baumwipfelpfad lower platform is wheelchair‑friendly; upper tower not.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally owned B&Bs; support the regional economy.
- Use the Waldbahn shuttle instead of private cars to reduce emissions.
- Leave no trace: pack out all litter.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Bavarian Forest National Park?
There is no general entry fee; you pay €5 for the tree‑top walkway and a small parking fee of €2‑4 per vehicle.
What are the best hikes in Bavarian Forest National Park?
Popular options are the Baumwipfelpfad (short walk), the Lusen summit trail (4‑5 h moderate), and the cross‑border Bohemian Forest trek (full day).
When is the best time to visit Bavarian Forest National Park?
Late spring to early autumn (April–October) offers warm weather and full foliage; early summer is busiest, while winter provides quiet wildlife spotting.
Can I camp inside the park?
Back‑country camping is prohibited; use designated campgrounds such as Camping Grafenau.
Is public transport available inside the park?
Yes, the Waldbahn shuttle connects Zwieseler Winkel, Zwiesel and other villages; buses run to trailheads.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Bavarian Forest National Park
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