The Bavarian Forest lies in the largest area of forested mountains in Central Europe. Along the border with the Czech Republic and Austria, it has a wide range of natural, historical and cultural destinations.

The ancient Bavarian Forest, together with its neighbour the Bohemian Forest in the Czech Republic, offers a wide range of activities for summer and winter in the pure, clear air and unspoilt forests and mountains: walking, mountain biking, summer toboganning, high wire parks, archery, swimming and kayaking are just some of the forest, mountain and river based activities available in spring, summer and autumn.

In winter, the Bavarian Forest is not just a destination for alpine and cross country skiing. There is a wide range of other activities: walking on well prepared paths or with snow shoes, skating, curling, toboganning, horse and sledge rides or just enjoying the winter landscape which is now increasingly rare in so many parts of Europe.

The Bavarian Forest offers the opportunity to experience local, traditional culture. From the sledge races at New Year, through carnival in February and the ‘strong beer’ festivals of lent. Spring, summer and autumn bring a huge range of religious, historical or beer festivals: some based on historic battles or traditions such as transportation of salt from Southern Bavaria to Bohemia, others are simple village festivals with plenty of beer and oompah music. As horses were always important for transport and work in the forest, many villages have a weekend devoted to horse processions and other events. Late summer is the time when many church festivals are held and November is the time of the ‘Wolfsauslassen’ – a very Bavarian Forest tradition which will be explained later. And December is the time of the Christmas Markets, in Germany and Czech Republic. In Germany, the big city markets start on the 1^st weekend in Advent and have their final day on 23^rd December. Smaller towns and villages have their markets on one weekend or just one day. Classical music is also available, in church concerts and the international music festivals. The area has a strong tradition of glassmaking and there are numerous shops and opportunities to watch glassmakers at work.

The location of the Bavarian Forest on the old political fault line of Europe, the ‘iron curtain’ makes it the perfect location for visiting the sights in Bavaria, Czech Republic and Austria: Passau and Regensburg, Munich and Salzburg, Prague, Plzen and Cesky Krumlov, the river Danube can all be reached by train, car or bus trip. Within the Bavarian Forest and across the border are churches, castles, open air museums of forest life, museums of glassmaking, agricultural life, cars and motorbikes, wildlife parks, as well as breweries to visit.