Mauth: Nature Trails and Culture
Accommodation in Mauth
Mauth is located right by the Bavarian Forest and Bohemian Forest National Parks. The municipality’s highlights include the certified Kingfisher Trail, a historic timber-floating structure on the Steinbach, as well as glassblowing and an audio station in the town centre. The wider travel destination of Freyung-Grafenau offers further natural and cultural attractions.
National park landscape on the doorstep
The Bavarian Forest National Park stretches along the Bavarian-Czech border between Bayerisch Eisenstein in the district of Regen and Mauth in the district of Freyung-Grafenau. It opened on 7 October 1970 as Germany’s first national park. For the wider travel destination of Freyung-Grafenau, the national park’s current zoning is also relevant context: the 2024 zoning map designates 75.37 percent of its area as natural zones.
Hiking trails and landscapes in the municipality
The Kingfisher Trail in Mauth is certified by the German Hiking Association. It follows the Steinbach upstream to the Steinbachklause, a historic timber-floating structure. The trail thus combines a riverside route with a destination that recalls the area’s former timber-floating industry. One seasonal restriction is important for planning: a section is closed from 1 December to 31 March, and a diversion is signposted.
Another way to explore the area is the VIA NOVA pilgrimage route stage from Kreuzberg via Vierhäuser, Mauth and Finsterau to the national border. The trail markings were incomplete at the last route check, so check the current route before setting out. This helps distinguish the stage from the local Kingfisher Trail: VIA NOVA passes through several named places, while the Kingfisher Trail follows the Steinbach to the Steinbachklause.
Culture and crafts
In the centre of Mauth, an audio station is dedicated to Andreas Hartauer and the song “Tief drin im Böhmerwald”. This musical theme complements the nature-focused trails with an insight into the song tradition associated with the town.
At Glasbläserkunst Mauth, visitors can watch demonstrations of traditional glassmaking and, with guidance, blow their own glass bauble. If you plan to take part, check visiting times with the provider in advance; this does not guarantee current opening hours or availability.
Moorland and summer activities
In the municipality, a short detour from the Finsterau Tour leads to the restored Finsterauer Filz raised bog. An accessible experience trail of wooden boardwalks runs through the moor. Information panels introduce the local flora and fauna. Check current conditions for the detour and trail before visiting.
The Rennloipe Finsterau cross-country ski trail also has a distinctly seasonal use: in summer it is used as a roller-ski track and prepared for roller skiing, cycling and running. If you plan to use it for training, check access locally.
More destinations in the wider travel destination of Freyung-Grafenau
Buchberger Leite is another landscape attraction in the wider travel destination of Freyung-Grafenau. There, steep rocky ridges force the boulder-strewn, cascading Wolfsteiner Ohe into a deeply confined channel. Remnants of primeval forest have survived in the gorge forests, rich in mosses and ferns. An eight-kilometre themed hiking trail runs through Buchberger Leite between Freyung and Ringelai, with information panels and an accompanying brochure.
In Freyung stands the Schramlhaus, built around 1700. It is the town’s oldest farmhouse and, in its original condition, one of the oldest in the district of Freyung-Grafenau. The Schramlhaus houses the Wolfstein Local History Museum. Its collection includes more than a hundred well-preserved original examples of reverse glass painting, a form of sacred folk art. Together, the regional landscape trails and cultural heritage offer different themes alongside the attractions of the municipality of Mauth.
Discover more destinations: Finsterau, Sankt Oswald-RiedlhĂĽtte, Jandelsbrunn, HaidmĂĽhle, Zenting, Grainet, Hinterschmiding, Perlesreut.
Back to the main travel guide: Freyung-Grafenau.
