The Bavarian Forest National Park is a national park in the low mountain range of the same name on the border to Czech Republic lies. The German protected area on the main ridge of the Bavarian or Bohemian Forest forms together with the Czech Sumava National Park a large jungle area.
background
The park has a total area of 24,217 hectares (about 242.2 km²) and its primarily protected habitats are mixed beech and mountain forests with fir, high-altitude spruce forests, moors, mountain streams and rock dumps.
history
The Bavarian Forest National Park was the first German National Park when it was founded in 1970.
"Let nature be nature"
In the early 1990s, large areas of the forest died, especially in the summit areas of the national park. The fault was the bark beetle, which had easy play with the spruce monocultures, which were already weakened by environmental influences ("acid rain" in the 1970s and 1980s). Storms such as B. Kyrill did the rest. In keeping with the national park idea of "letting nature be nature", the decision was not made to intervene. Today, 15 to 20 years later, a natural, more robust mixed mountain forest is growing back between the tree ruins, which has already reached a height of 2 to 3 meters. This will then be less susceptible to the bark beetle. Incidentally, the motto "Let nature be nature" comes from the long-time National Park director Hans Bibelriether, who coined the phrase in the early 1990s when the "old forest" died out on a large scale.[1] With this motto, the national park administration defended the strategy of "natural dynamics" against the "traditional forest intervention" (i.e. the removal of diseased and dead trees in order to curb the pest). This measure was vehemently demanded by local actors because they feared for tourism in the region. Today, 20 years later, it is clear that the experts' decision at the time was correct: The path from the former commercial forest to the beginning of a primeval forest was of course "brutal", but short. Today visitors can now experience the growth of a "real" wilderness up close. Until the natural state of before 1850 with a natural mixed mountain forest with a high proportion of fir trees has developed again, several tree generations or centuries will still pass.
landscape
Flora and fauna
The Upper Bavarian Forest is mainly characterized by high-altitude spruce forests, mixed mountain forests (partly primeval forests), block heaps, moors, moor forests, former high pastures (shafts), ravine valleys and lakes. Forests are allowed to grow and disappear there without human intervention in a directional or caring way.
climate
getting there
The main hiking areas with all important facilities can be reached without a car. The forest railway and the hedgehog buses ensure mobility to and in the Bavarian Forest National Park.
See the public transport network map bayerwald-ticket.com and something big on nationalpark-bayerischer-wald.de.
By train
The forest railway runs along the national park border and connects every hour Bavarian Eisenstein, Ludwigsthal "House of the Wilderness", Zwiesel, rain from and to Plattling (Line № KBS 905From Zwiesel the railcar trains of the Waldbahn run to and from Frauenau, Spiegelau, Saint Oswald and Grafenau (Line № KBS 906) in Zwiesel at the odd hour and in the opposite direction Grafenau From Zwiesel the railcar trains of the Waldbahn also travel to and from Ground corn (Line № KBS 907) from.
By bus
When planning excursions, the seasonal schedule deviations must be taken into account. The summer timetable is valid from May 15th to May 31st.
- The "Falkenstein omnibus”(Lines № 7149, 7150) starts at the station forecourt from Zwiesel ins Falkensteiner Area.
- The "Rachel Omnibus”(Line № 7595) starts at the train station Spiegelau ins Rachel Area.
- The "Lusen omnibus”(Line № 7594) starts at the train station Grafenau ins Lusen Area.
- The "Freyung omnibus”(Lines № 6177, 6202) starts at the station Freyung ins Lusen Area (only as far as the Lusen National Park Center, where you can change to the Lusen bus.
fees
The protected area is freely accessible.
mobility
Public transport
The national park region is easily accessible by bus and train. The forest railway opens up the vacation spots on the edge of the park. There are also national park bus routes ("Igelbus") in the summer season between May 15 and November 2, which open up the sights and hiking areas in the park. For timetables and network plans as well as further information, see Bavarian Forest Ticket.
To go biking
In the park, cycling is only permitted on the marked cycle paths. In total there are around 200 km of cycle routes in the national park. Pedelecs (electrically assisted bicycles up to 25 km / h) are considered bicycles and may also be used. However, this does not apply to purely electric bicycles and so-called self-balancing scooters ("Segways"). Both types of vehicle may only be used on public roads in the park area.
On foot
Hiking is by far the most popular activity in the national park. There are a total of 300 km of marked hiking trails in the protected area. In the core zone of the park there are trails (i.e. the marked hiking trails must not be left). But also in the other areas of the park you should respect nature's privilege and stay on the paths.
Some hiking trails are temporarily closed for nature conservation reasons. For example, the unofficial, unmarked and rarely used Grenzsteig in the ridge area is only accessible from August 15th to November 15th due to the protection of the capercaillie. The border path leads over very long stretches through dead forests on a ridge along the German / Czech border. Hence the name "Grenzsteig".
Current information on the condition of the roads in the entire protected area can be found here on the website of the National parks can be accessed.
Tourist Attractions
Mountain tops
Great Falkenstein (1315 m)
From the summit you have a nice view over to the great Arber. In the area of the summit there is a shelter of the Bavarian Forest Association, where you can stop and spend the night (House side). Incidentally, the summit of the mountain can also be reached by bike via roadways (the forest roads are suitable for touring bikes). There is even a bicycle parking lot with leaning bars at the summit.
- Those who hike from Zwieslerwaldhaus (700 m above sea level) to the Falkenstein can also do the ascent to the summit Ruckowitz shafts, the largest high pasture in the Bavarian Forest. That is also worth seeing Höllbachspreng on the south-eastern mountainside. In a small, wild gorge, a mountain stream cascades down to the valley. A mountain path opens up this natural attraction (sturdy shoes and surefootedness are necessary to walk the hiking path).
- A hiking map to the Großer Falkenstein as a PDF file to be found here.
- Location of the Großer Falkenstein: 49 ° 5 '3 "N.13 ° 16 ′ 48 ″ E
Rachel (1,453 m)
The Great Rachel1 is the second highest mountain in the Bavarian Forest. In addition to the mountain summit, the one at about 1000 m altitude is a nice hiking destination Rachelsee. From the little one Rachel Chapel At an altitude of 1222 m you have a beautiful view of the 5.7 hectare lake, which was created as a glacier lake in the last ice age. Large parts of the mountain spruce forest on the Rachel fell victim to the bark beetle.
Getting there: The Rachel and the Rachelsee are only accessible on foot. Cycling is not permitted on the hiking trails.
- Public transport: The "Rachel-Bus" (line 7596) connects the train station every hour from May 15th to November 2nd Spiegelau at the forest railway with the Rachel area.
- - The next stop to the mountain is the final stop "Gfung" at an altitude of 950 m on the southern slope of the Rachel (at 2 ; Toilet on site, every half hour from Spiegelau). From here you walk 3.2 km with around 500 m ascent to the summit of the Großer Rachel (about a good hour to 1½ hours walking on a stony road). From the Rachelschutzhaus (Waldschmidthaus) a short stony mountain path to the summit.
- - Alternatively, you can take the Rachel bus every hour to the final stop "Racheldiensthütte" 3 drive, which is southeast of the mountain at 860 m altitude. From here you walk over the Rachelsee for about 6 - 7 km with around 600 m ascent to the summit of the Großer Rachel.
- In the street: The parking lot "Gfall" 4 and "Racheldiensthütte" 5 are between May 15th and November 2nd only in front 8 o'clock and to 6 p.m. with your own car. Across Tasgs, the driveways are blocked and you have to use the Rachel bus from Spiegelau (Park & Ride car park in Spiegelau at 6 ). The two parking spaces can also be accessed all day by bike in the summer months. From both parking lots, cyclists can only continue on foot, as all paths towards the Rachel area are pure hiking routes.
- Tour suggestion: "Route hike Rachelübergang" as a smaller day hike: ascent from the Final stop "Gfall to the Rachel Summit. In the upper part of the ascent you can already see the first valley views, as large areas of the forest have died out here. The Rachelschutzhaus is finally reached via the stony road (Waldschmidthaus), which is at an altitude of 1360 m below the summit (refreshment stops; overnight stay is not possible; vantage point with a first valley view of the Rachelsee and over to the Lusen). From here a stony mountain path to the summit. The descent continues through a large area of dead forest over the Kapellensteig (stony mountain path) on the Rachelsee Chapel over to Rachelsee (1071 m). From here you have two options to the Racheldiensthütte: the Goldsteig via the "Felsenkanzel" (small rock cliff in a forest clearing) with another 100 m ascent or the direct descent via the "E6 variant-Buntspecht". In the Revenge Service Hut(880 m) there is a small snack station. The hut has a very nice landscape on the Klause, a small reservoir in the forest. From the Racheldiensthütte it is only a few hundred meters downhill to the Bus stop "Racheldiensthütte" of the Rachel bus.
- Tour data: Route length about 10 to 11 km with about 500 to 600 hm in ascent depending on the route chosen. The use of sturdy footwear (ideally ankle-high hiking boots) is highly recommended, as over long stretches close to nature, e.g. Sometimes stony mountain paths are used. If there is a risk of thunderstorms, do not tackle the hike, as long open stretches through dead forest have to be covered in the Rachel's summit area. Even in a storm you should refrain from hiking, as there is then an increased risk of breakage due to dead wood. Walking time: 3 1/2 to 5 hours depending on individual breaks and photo stops.
Lusen (1373 m)
From the free, rocky summit of the Lusen you have a beautiful panoramic view. On the Lusen, the old mountain spruce forest has largely disappeared due to bark beetle infestation. Between the dead trunks you can now experience how the forest grows again naturally without human intervention.
- Location of the Lusen: 7
- in the Lus shelter At 1343 m just below the summit, you can stop off and on Pre-registration also stay overnight. There is space for a total of 21 people in rooms of various sizes. There are no showers, but each room has a sink with cold water. Accommodation rate in January 2013: € 28 per person (including breakfast). Contact and further information see www.lusenschutzhaus.de
Shafts
The shafts are former forest pastures, which are mostly no longer used today. As part of the protection of the cultural landscape, these high pastures are still kept open today. A Schachtenwanderweg connects the high pastures in the national park.
Treetop Walk
The new path can be found near Neuschönau. The architecturally interesting path winds in a circle around 3 large trees in a 44m high "tree tower". On the way up, the visitor learns interesting facts about the forest. In total, the path is 1,300 m long. At the end of the path in the tree tower at a height of 44 m you have a wide view over the forests of the national park and the Bavarian Forest up to the Lusen. On very clear days you can even see the Alps detect. For more information, admission and opening times as well as pictures, see Article Neuschönau
Information centers
activities
- hike - Attractive are z. B. Summit hikes on the Lusen, Große Rachel or also on the Großer Falkenstein (see also the section above for summit-related hiking suggestions Mountain tops.
- To go biking - is only permitted on the marked cycle paths in the national park.
shop
kitchen
accommodation
security
trips
literature
- Bavarian Forest - Where wilderness awakens, ISBN 3-86116-059-5
- Wilderness limitless, ISBN 3-935719-37-X
Hiking maps
- Fritsch hiking map of the Bavarian Forest National Park "Between Rachel and Lusen", ISBN 3-86116-059-5
- Fritsch hiking map "Zwiesler Winkel", ISBN 3-86116-120-6
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑"Natur" magazine 3/2012 via Spiegel Online Wissenschaft from March 9, 2013 "Untouched nature: Germany should get wilder" (accessed on March 10, 2013).
