Bavarian Forest National Park – Germany’s First Wilderness Sanctuary

Established in 1970, Bavarian Forest National Park (Nationalpark Bayerischer Wald) is Germany’s first national park and a pioneer in wilderness conservation. Stretching over 24,000 hectares in Bavaria, it forms a massive cross-border forest with the neighboring Šumava National Park in the Czech Republic—together creating Central Europe’s largest contiguous woodland. The park follows a unique philosophy: “Let nature be nature.” Here, forests are allowed to grow wild, evolve, and regenerate without human interference. Visitors can discover pristine spruce and beech woods, glassy glacial lakes like Latschensee, and mossy trails perfect for hiking in all seasons. Wildlife lovers might catch glimpses of lynx, red deer, wild boar, and rare bird species like the Ural owl. For stunning views, hike to peaks like Großer Rachel, Lusen, or Falkenstein. One of the park’s highlights is the Baumwipfelpfad, a treetop walk offering an unforgettable aerial perspective of the forest. 📍 Grafenau, Bavaria, Germany 🕘 Open year-round 🎟️ Free entry (some attractions may have small fees)