Freyung-Grafenau: Nature and Culture for Your Stay

You can base your plans on these different themes: a particular hike, wildlife and the national park, or historic buildings and Celtic history.

Nature and the National Park

The Bavarian Forest National Park extends into the district of Freyung-Grafenau. It opened on October 7, 1970, as Germany’s first national park. The division of its area also offers a concrete insight into its character: according to the zoning dated 2024, 75.37 percent of the area is designated as natural zones.

The Buchberger Leite wild stream gorge offers a particularly vivid landscape. Steep rock ridges force the boulder-strewn, cascading Wolfsteiner Ohe into a deeply constricted channel. Remnants of primeval forest have survived in the gorge’s moss- and fern-rich woodlands. An eight-kilometre themed hiking trail runs through the Buchberger Leite between Freyung and Ringelai. Information boards and an accompanying brochure are part of the trail guide. Historic timber-floating walls, tunnels hewn into the rock, and above-ground canals also recall centuries of human activity in the gorge.

Near Neuschönau, the treetop walk is part of the Lusen National Park Centre. At the animal enclosure, visitors can learn about the national park and its native wildlife. The circular trails there offer a practical guide for families with small children: they are suitable for children who are not yet able to cover long distances. This suitability refers to the circular trails and the age and walking-distance situation described.

Cultural History in Freyung and Gabreta

Built around 1700, the Schramlhaus is now the oldest farmstead in Freyung and, in terms of its original character, one of the oldest in the district of Freyung-Grafenau. The Wolfstein Local History Museum, which opened there in 1980, is housed in the building. There are also more than a hundred original, well-preserved examples of reverse glass painting, a form of religious folk art. The architecture, museum, and collection can all be explored together in one place.

Celtic history and hands-on activities are at the heart of the Gabreta Archaeological Adventure Park. The buildings on display there were reconstructed based on original Celtic structures; symbolically, they represent Celtic artefacts found on the hill of Paul Freund. Expert-guided tours about Celtic life can also be booked. Bread baking is one of the hands-on activities for visitors. As the visitor programme may change, check whether this activity is offered on your planned visit date.

Choosing Accommodation Based on Your Interests

Freyung-Grafenau lies in the tri-border region of Bavaria, Bohemia, and Austria. When planning your stay, the specific differences between the experiences described can also help: the Buchberger Leite offers a themed hiking trail with a stated length and accompanying materials; at the animal enclosure, the circular trails and their suitability for small children are a distinct point to consider. The cultural attractions range from the local history museum and its collection at the Schramlhaus to reconstructed Celtic buildings and guided tours at Gabreta.

Discover more destinations: Freyung, Grafenau, Mauth, Neureichenau, Neuschönau, Spiegelau, Thurmansbang, Waldkirchen, Haidmühle, Schöfweg, Saldenburg, Ringelai, Röhrnbach, Grainet, Hohenau, Jandelsbrunn, Perlesreut, Zenting, Schönberg, Philippsreut, Innernzell, Sankt Oswald-Riedlhütte, Hinterschmiding.

Go to the main travel overview: Bavaria.