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 |
| Frauenau | 7.9 km (4.9 mi) | 13 min |
| Neuschönau | 10.1 km (6.3 mi) | 17 min |
| Kirchdorf im Wald | 11.2 km (7 mi) | 19 min |
| Grafenau | 11.4 km (7.1 mi) | 19 min |
| Zwiesel | 13.4 km (8.3 mi) | 22 min |
| Lindberg | 13.6 km (8.5 mi) | 23 min |
| Hohenau | 13.8 km (8.6 mi) | 23 min |
Where Bavarian Forest National Park sits
Official Bavarian Forest National Park site — hours, closures, and fees.
Parks you could combine with it
- 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, and the closest town of any size is Spiegelau — about 9 min away.
When is the best time to visit Bavarian Forest National Park?
Generally June through September, with May and early October quieter on either side.