Bavarian Forest Excursion Destinations

Welcome to the largest forest landscape in Central Europe! If you spend your vacation in the heart of the Bavarian Forest, you can look forward to incomparable moments of tranquility and unique attractions. And that's not all! Active vacationers will also love the Bavarian Forest, as where else can you explore over 10,000 km of cycling and hiking trails?

As you can see, the Bavarian Forest offers quite a few special features for its visitors - such as the only primeval forest in Germany. Explore the vast mountain landscape of the Bavarian Forest and let one of Germany's most popular sightseeing destinations captivate you.

Area: 6,000 km²

State: Bavaria

Visitors: 1.24 million overnight stays in 2017

Highest mountain: Grosser Arber (4,776 ft above sea level)

Largest cities: Straubing, Deggendorf, and Passau

Dense forests, endless mountain landscapes, and idyllic towns - in the Bavarian Forest, city highlights and natural wonders impress alike.

Culture enthusiasts will love the Oberhaus Museum in Passau, while nature lovers and those seeking relaxation should definitely visit the treetop path in Sankt Englmar.

But the well-known Glass Barn in Rauhbühl also offers every visitor an impressive experience. In short: The Bavarian Forest is bursting with highlights that you must not miss.

Not only big, but also small visitors find a place full of highlights in the Bavarian Forest. It's no wonder that the Bavarian Forest is a very special destination for families. For instance, the House on the River captivates with an interactive exhibition and year-round programs for families with children.

And for those who enjoy thrilling events in the Bavarian Forest, this is the right place. Numerous events take place throughout the year, such as:

The Bavarian Forest and Its Name Did you know that the Bavarian Forest was not always called that? Around 853 AD, during the reign of King Louis the German, the mountains were referred to as Nordwald. In the 16th century, the name was eventually changed through various traditions to the Bohemian Forest, which evolved into the present-day Bavarian Forest.

Are you interested in a short vacation in the Bavarian Forest? Travelcircus gives you a taste of the special attractions and sightseeing destinations that await you.

Welcome to one of the largest castle complexes in Europe! In eight exhibitions, you can take a tour through the history of the city of Passau and the region. Here, you will find information about Passau in the Middle Ages and the (also name-related) development of the Bavarian Forest, formerly Bohemian Forest, over an area of more than 4,000 m².

The highlight of the museum is the viewing platform, which offers not only an incomparable view of the city of Passau but also of the confluence of the three rivers Danube, Ilz, and Inn.

Address: Oberhaus 125, 94034 Passau

Opening hours: March 15 - December 23 Monday to Friday 9 AM - 5 PM Saturday, Sundays & holidays 10 AM - 6 PM

December 25, 2019 - January 6, 2020 Daily 10 AM - 4 PM Closed on December 24 and December 31

Want to experience the forest in a different way? How about enjoying a view from above? On the treetop path, you can enjoy incomparable views from a height of 98 feet. No matter whether you plan an outing with your family or want to explore the heights of the Bavarian Forest alone, there's something for everyone here. An observation platform offers a view of the famous Danube Valley all the way to the Alps.

Address: Maibrunn 9a, 94379 Sankt Englmar

Opening hours:

February / March / October: 9 AM - 5 PM April to September: 9 AM - 7 PM November to January: 9 AM - 4 PM

Get more information here about the destination.

The perfect excursion destination for the whole family is the House on the River. Every visitor can find the perfect experience here. The House on the River is not only the environmental station of the District of Passau, but it also offers an interactive exhibition for children, where they can explore nature in a playful way.

But that's not all; the House on the River also delights with a 2.2-mile adventure trail featuring a bee hotel, a millstone, and a graphite station. Fun, play, and adventure for the whole family!

Address: Am Kraftwerk 4, 94107 Untergriesbach

Opening hours: May 1 - September 16: daily 9 AM - 6 PM September 17 - April 30: Tuesday to Sunday: 10 AM - 5 PM

For every art lover, the Glass Barn in Rauhbühl is the perfect excursion destination. Here, you will find impressive stained glass windows, sculptures of all kinds, and many other glass objects. The building was opened in 1980 by the artist Rudolf Schmid. Since then, various themes have repeatedly captivated visitors. Whether it's stained glass about the famous robber Heigl or St. Francis - diversity knows no bounds here.

Address: Rauhbühl 3, 94234 Viechtach Opening hours: Monday - Sunday: 10 AM - 4 PM

Foodies should not miss a visit to the renowned Liebl distillery in Bad Kötzting. This small but fine family business was established in 1970 and has produced numerous specialties such as Bärwurz and Höllensteiner. Since 2006, visitors can also sample delicious whiskey at the distillery.

Address: Jahnstraße 11-15, 93444 Bad Kötzting

Opening hours: January - April Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 6 PM, Saturday: 9 AM - 1 PM May - October Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 6 PM, Saturday: 9 AM - 4 PM November/December Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 6 PM, Saturday: 9 AM - 1 PM (on the 4 Advent Saturdays until 4 PM)

For those wanting to go on an underground discovery tour, the Graphite Mine Kropfmühl is a must-visit. The only graphite mine is not only impressive with underground tours but also has housed a graphite museum since 2016. Here you can learn everything about mining and the raw material graphite in 3,767 ft².

Address: Langheinrichstraße 1, 94051 Hauzenberg

Opening hours: April / May / June Wednesday - Sunday: 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM July / August / September Tuesday - Sunday: 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM October / November Wednesday - Sunday: 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Discover one of our TOP excursion destinations, the Granite Center in the Bavarian Forest! Here, sustainable possibilities for using regional natural stone are highly emphasized! Especially the old stone walls will immediately capture your attention, as you get an impression of the former Liberation Hall in Kelheim.

Perfect for selfies: The huge lettering 'GRANITE' right at the entrance is simply ideal for a little snapshot for those who stayed at home.

A special highlight is a visit during the Christmas season, as the exquisite architecture of the building transforms into a festive beauty. Get unique crafts for your loved ones or treat yourself to culinary delights at the Christmas market in Stoabruch.

Address: Passauer Str. 11, 94051 Hauzenberg

Opening hours: January to April, daily 10 AM - 4 PM, admission until 3 PM May to October, daily 10 AM - 6 PM, admission until 5 PM from 2 PM - 8 PM