NATURERLEBNIS WISTLBERG is a gift from the Free State of Bavaria to mark the 50th anniversary of the Bavarian Forest National Park. And it should be a gift for all nature fans. That is why accessibility plays a key role in the planning. The NATIONALPARK CAFÉ WISTLBERG is at the centre of the new visitor focus, with plenty to experience all around.

Finsterauer Filz adventure trail:
The first highlight of the Wistlberg nature experience has been in operation since 2023: a low-barrier trail through the renaturalised Finsterauer Filz moor. Partly on boardwalks, it leads from the new barrier-free hedgehog bus stop into the mystical high moor.

Lusenblick viewing platform:
Directly behind the CAFÉ WISTLBERG, visitors will soon be able to experience an impressive panorama. Barrier-free natural stone paths will lead to a 75 square metre, ten metre high viewing platform, which, among other things, will make the Lusen seem close enough to touch. Opening date: spring 2025.

Playground for everyone:
The playground for everyone adjacent to the café will also be suitable for wheelchair users as far as possible. In addition to adventurous, individually designed experiences for older children, a toddler area is also planned. Commissioning: summer 2025.

The Bavarian Forest National Park was opened on 7 October 1970 as Germany's first national park. Together with the neighbouring Šumava National Park in the Czech Republic, it forms the largest contiguous protected forest area in Central Europe. The guiding principle of the Bavarian Forest National Park is ‘Let nature be nature’ across the majority of its almost 25,000 hectares. According to this philosophy, the forests with their moors, mountain streams and summits are allowed to develop into a boundless forest wilderness according to their very own laws. In this way, the commercial forest of yesterday becomes the primeval forest of tomorrow. The result is a unique diversity of species. Rare animals such as the lynx, otter, capercaillie and Ural owl will once again find a home. In addition, there are 16 species of beetle alone, which are considered primeval forest relics and only occur in extremely natural forests. The particularly strong biodiversity is based, among other things, on the high proportion of dead wood, which is both a food source and habitat for hundreds of insects, fungi and birds.

350 kilometres of marked hiking trails
With the national park centres Lusen near Neuschönau and Falkenstein near Ludwigsthal, the Bavarian Forest National Park offers all visitors an exciting start to the protected area. At both centres, an information building and an outdoor animal enclosure invite you to explore. In addition, the St. Oswald Forest History Museum offers an insight into the history of the national park. Thanks to around 350 kilometres of marked hiking trails, over 200 kilometres of designated cycle paths and around 80 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, the national park is perfectly accessible for nature lovers. Trained forest guides and national park experts provide insights into the nature of the large protected area during the year-round guided tour programme. There are also children's programmes, informative lectures and cultural events. More information, tour tips and excursion destinations can be found at: www.nationalpark-bayerischer-wald.de nationalpark-bayerischer-wald.de