Explore Bavaria:
day trips with all details

Mt Rachel is our local mountain – and one of the most impressive hikes in Bavaria. Those setting off directly from Frauenau or via Oberfrauenau will encounter tranquil forests, unspoilt national park scenery, the drinking water reservoir, Mt Kleiner Rachel and, finally, the peak of Mt Grosser Rachel. A tour for keen hikers, nature lovers, and photographers who want to experience the Bavarian Forest to the full.

Suitable for: hikers · active guests · nature lovers · bike & hike

Start: directly from the hotel / Frauenau / Oberfrauenau

Distance: approx. 14–25km, depending on the route

Difficulty: high

Photo spots: Frauenau drinking water reservoir · Rachelsteig path · Rachelwiese pasture · Mt Kleiner Rachel · Mt Grosser Rachel · Waldschmidthaus hut

The “Schachten” and “Filze” landscapes are among the most impressive natural areas in the National Park. Former high-altitude pastures, tranquil moorland, boardwalks, Lake Latschensee, and vast woodlands make this tour a special experience – for anyone seeking peace and quiet, unspoilt nature, and unforgettable photo opportunities.

Suitable for: keen hikers · nature photographers · guests seeking peace and quiet · nature park enthusiasts

Difficulty: high

Photo spots: Lindberger Schachten clearings · Hochschachten clearings · Lake Latschensee · Zwieselter Filz peat bog · Verlorener Schachten clearings · drinking water reservoir

The Grosser Falkenstein is one of the most beautiful peaks in the national park. Via Zwieslerwaldhaus hut, a short but steep route along the Adamsteig trail leads first to Mt Kleiner Falkenstein and then on to Mt Grosser Falkenstein. At the top, the Falkenstein mountain hut is one of the most popular places to stop for a bite to eat in the National Park.

Suitable for: keen hikers · nature photographers · foodies · nature park enthusiasts

Difficulty: moderate to difficult

Photo spots: Mt Kleiner Falkenstein · Mt Grosser Falkenstein · Falkenstein mountain hut · Views towards Mt Arber

Mt Lusen is one of the most striking peaks in the National Park. Its “Blockmeer” (sea of boulders), the famous “Himmelsleiter” (Stairway to Heaven), and the Lusen mountain hut make it a special destination for hikers and photographers. If you’re staying at Eibl-Brunner for several days, you should make a day trip up Mt Lusen – the summit looks particularly stunning in the morning or evening light.

Suitable for: Hikers · nature photographers · guests seeking peace and quiet · nature park enthusiasts

Difficulty: moderate

Photo spots: Himmelsleiter path · Blockmeer · Mt Lusen · Lusen mountain hut

Put on your shoes and set off – Mt Wagensonnriegel starts right outside Eibl-Brunner in Frauenau. It’s surrounded by woodland, offers stunning views, and is ideal for anyone who wants to start their day’s walk without having to travel far. A classic hike in the Bavarian Forest with beautiful views and a peaceful summit experience.

Suitable for: leisurely hikers · nature photographers · guests seeking peace and quiet

Start: directly from the hotel

Difficulty: moderate

Photo spots: forest paths above Frauenau · the summit area · views of the Bavarian Forest · morning light over Frauenau

The Hochschachtentour is one of the most impressive mountain bike routes around Frauenau. It winds its way through the wooded landscape of the national park, up to the drinking water reservoir, and on towards Hochschachten clearings – ideal for fit mountain bikers looking to combine nature, elevation gain, and stunning views.

Suitable for: fit mountain bikers · nature lovers

Difficulty: high

Highlights: Oberfrauenau · Trift canal · drinking water reservoir · Hochschachten clearings · national park landscape · long forest and woodland paths

One of the most popular routes for cyclists goes via Ferdinandsthal to Železná Ruda in the Czech Republic. The route combines the natural beauty of the Bavarian Forest, border history, and Bohemian charm – ideal for active e-bike riders and mountain bikers looking for a special day trip with a cross-border experience.

Suitable for: active e-bike riders and mountain bikers

Difficulty: moderate to difficult

For active guests, Mt Rachel is also a highlight as a bike & hike experience: You cycle along suitable paths towards Oberfrauenau and the drinking water reservoir, then continue on foot towards Mt Kleiner Rachel and Mt Grosser Rachel. A day spent immersed in nature, amidst forests, water, and mountain peaks.

Suitable for: keen cyclists and hikers

Difficulty: high

Mt Falkenstein is a particularly attractive destination for cyclists and bike & hike enthusiasts. The tour takes you through Frauenau, Oberfrauenau, and the reservoir region towards the national park. The final stretch to the summit and the Falkenstein mountain hut can be planned as a hike – or, of course, you can simply ride straight to the hut.

Suitable for: keen cyclists and hikers

Difficulty: high

The Arber Bike Park is one of the highlights for mountain bikers in the Bavarian Forest. Right next to Mt Grosser Arber, there are flow lines, technical trails, and jump lines to suit all ability levels – from beginners to experienced trail riders. With lift access, bike hire, and on-site facilities, the bike park is the perfect destination for an action-packed day’s cycling starting from Eibl-Brunner.

Suitable for: mountain bikers of all abilities

Difficulty: easy to difficult, depending on the trail

Highlights: 6 trails, 400 metres of elevation gain

The Špičák Bike Park is located in the Bohemian Forest in the Czech Republic, just a few kilometres across the border near Železná Ruda. Downhill, freeride, and technical sections for experienced mountain bikers – spanning borders, intense, and perfectly combinable with a ride towards Železná Ruda.

Suitable for: keen mountain bikers, downhill and freeride enthusiasts

Difficulty: moderate to difficult

Golfing against the backdrop of the Bavarian Forest. The Oberzwieselau Golf Park is beautifully set in the surrounding countryside – an 18-hole championship course offering panoramic views of the rolling Bavarian Forest landscape. Active in the morning, relaxing at the Forest Spa in the afternoon: a day’s holiday to remember.

Opening hours: daily from 7 a.m. until sunset

Pro shop: open every day except Tuesday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The Falkenstein National Park Centre is particularly convenient for guests staying at Eibl-Brunner. With the “Haus zur Wildnis” (House of the Wilderness), the open-air animal enclosure, the Stone Age cave, and wild horses, aurochs, lynx, and wolves in semi-natural enclosures, it’s a truly impressive experience – perfect to combine with a trip to Mt Falkenstein or an excursion to Mt Zwiesel.

The Lusen National Park Centre is ideal for families, nature lovers, and bad-weather days. The Hans-Eisenmann-Haus, the open-air animal enclosure, a four-hectare open-air botanical garden, an open-air rock garden, and the tree-top walk right next door make this one of the most comprehensive nature experiences in the region. Right next door, you can experience the Bavarian Forest from above: the tree-top walk winds its way up to 25 metres high amongst beech, spruce, and fir trees; it’s accessible to all and a real adventure for children. At the end, the 44-metre-high tree tower awaits, offering views as far as the Bohemian Forest.

At 1,456 metres, it’s the highest mountain in the Bavarian Forest – and one of the region’s most impressive destinations. 

• In summer, the summit circular walk takes you past the legendary Lake Großer Arbersee, to the striking summit cross and to views that, on a clear day, stretch as far as the Alps.
• In winter, Mt Arber transforms into the most beautiful ski resort in the Bavarian Forest: groomed slopes of all difficulty levels, cross-country trails right at the summit, and a snow-covered mountain panorama you won’t forget in a hurry.
• The gondola lift takes you comfortably to the top all year round – for hiking, skiing or simply to take in the views.

Distance: 29.5km

The Frauenau Glass Museum traces the history of glass from its earliest origins to modern glass art – and explains why Frauenau and the Bavarian Forest are so closely linked to the tradition of glassmaking. Outside, the Glass Gardens with their sculptures await – a unique attraction and particularly impressive at sunset.

Opening hours: Tue–Sun and public holidays, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Distance: 400m

Farming, forestry, estate distillery, and regional produce – Gut Oberfrauenau is one of the most authentic places to visit in the area around Frauenau. The Barons of Poschinger have been managing the certified organic estate for four and a half centuries. Highly recommended: the “Gut und Genuss” tour of the orchard and estate distillery, including a tasting of fine spirits.

“Gut und Genuss” guided tour: Thursdays (except public holidays), 11 a.m., approx. 2 hours

Tickets: available at the estate shop

Distance: 1.9km

With over 400 animals representing around 100 species from the Bavarian-Bohemian border region, a wolf enclosure, bird aviaries, nature trails, and a petting zoo, the Bayerwald Zoo Lohberg is a top family destination with a genuine connection to nature. Dogs are allowed on a lead.

Distance: 40.2km