When the summer sun warms, the Bavarian Forest shows its light side: cool woods, clear cirque lakes, long hiking trails and spa terraces on which the evening winds down. In summer the region in south-eastern Bavaria is a destination for everyone — as a couple, with friends or with the whole family.
First active, then into the spa
Summer in the Bavarian Forest lives from the alternation of movement and recreation. After a day in the mountains the wellness area does twice as much good in the evening: sauna, swimming pool and massage release what the hike demanded. Many houses set their rest zones half outdoors — with a view into the green instead of onto tiled walls. The range extends from the family-run country house to the large spa resort.
Summer for the whole family
For families the Bavarian Forest is one large adventure playground. Rapid rides on the summer toboggan run at the Silberberg in Bodenmais (with its show mine) beckon, as do climbing tours in the high ropes course and the treetop walk in Neuschönau high above the crowns. With bathing a distinction has to be made: the crystal-clear cirque lakes such as the Großer and Kleiner Arbersee are nature reserves — here you walk around the shore or rent a pedal boat at the Arberseehaus. Swimming happens at the region's designated bathing lakes.
Active in forest and mountains
Whoever prefers to conquer nature on foot has the choice: the network of trails over the mountains and through the woods is dense and well signposted, from the summit of the Großer Arber (1,456 m) to the Großer Rachel (1,453 m), the region's second-highest mountain. Added to these are mountain-bike routes, tours by rowing boat or canoe and — for the view from above — paragliding and hang-gliding areas. The summer is long enough not to have to choose.
Glass, village life and a day in Passau
For rainy hours — and out of genuine interest — the region's open-air museums are worthwhile, keeping old village life and the centuries-old glassmaking tradition alive; along the “Glass Road” you look over the glassblowers' shoulders. A day trip leads to Passau on the Danube, the “city of three rivers” with its baroque old town, cathedral and museums. The summer day is rounded off by the down-to-earth cooking of the inns.