Bavarian Forest National Park: planning guide
Germany’s first national park — continuous mountain forests along the Czech border, part of the Bohemian Forest wilderness.
Bavarian Forest National Park is in Bavaria, Germany. The nearest town is Spiegelau — roughly 5.7 km (3.5 mi) out, about 9 min of driving.
When to go
Best window: June through September. Shoulder season: May and early October.
Late autumn through early spring is cold and wet, with limited hut service and short daylight.
Mountain weather turns quickly and marked routes can stay snow-covered well into June.
Closest towns and cities
| Town | Distance | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Spiegelau | 5.7 km (3.5 mi) | 9 min |
| Grafenau | 11.4 km (7.1 mi) | 19 min |
| Zwiesel | 13.4 km (8.3 mi) | 22 min |
| Regen | 19.9 km (12.4 mi) | 33 min |
| Freyung | 19.9 km (12.4 mi) | 33 min |
| Neureichenau | 34.6 km (21.5 mi) | 49 min |
| Deggendorf | 34.7 km (21.6 mi) | 49 min |
| Viechtach | 39.8 km (24.7 mi) | 55 min |
Where Bavarian Forest National Park sits
Official Bavarian Forest National Park site — hours, closures, and fees.
Drive times from Bavarian Forest National Park
Bavarian Forest National Park sits close enough to Berchtesgaden National Park, Saxon Switzerland National Park, Triglav National Park, and Hainich National Park that one drive from home can cover more than one park.
| Park | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Berchtesgaden National Park | 160 km (99.3 mi) | 2 hr 48 min |
| Saxon Switzerland National Park | 225 km (140 mi) | 3 hr 46 min |
| Triglav National Park | 289 km (180 mi) | 4 hr 42 min |
| Hainich National Park | 316 km (196 mi) | 5 hr 6 min |
Parks close by
- Berchtesgaden National Park
Alpine scenery around the Königssee and Watzmann, with glacial lakes and classic Bavarian high country.
- Saxon Switzerland National Park
Sandstone towers and gorges of Saxon Switzerland above the Elbe near Dresden.
- Triglav National Park
Slovenia’s only national park, centered on Mount Triglav in the Julian Alps. Lakes, alpine valleys, and high limestone peaks.
- Hainich National Park
A UNESCO beech forest in Thuringia recovering without management — Germany’s “primeval” lowland woodland.
Common questions
Where is Bavarian Forest National Park?
Bavarian Forest National Park sits in Bavaria, Germany. Spiegelau, about 5.7 km (3.5 mi) away — roughly 9 min of driving.
When is the best time to visit Bavarian Forest National Park?
Generally June through September, with May and early October quieter on either side.