Finsterau in Winter: Cross-Country Skiing, Nature Experiences and Culture

In winter, Finsterau brings together several sports activities at the Ski and Sports Centre. There are cross-country ski trails, skating tracks and a biathlon facility. In addition, the 9.8-kilometre “Siebensteinkopf – Fernblick ohne Grenzen” snowshoe loop trail starts there and leads through the Finsterauer Filz. Winter cross-country ski trails, skating tracks, the biathlon facility and the start of the snowshoe loop trail are all located together at the Ski and Sports Centre.

Cross-Country Skiing and Winter Sports at the Ski and Sports Centre

One specific option for a challenging cross-country ski route is the Buchwald trail. It is approximately 9 kilometres long and leads from the Finsterau Ski and Sports Centre to the German-Czech border near Bucina (Buchwald). There, the trail connects to the Czech cross-country ski network. Anyone wishing to use the connection to the Czech cross-country ski network should plan the challenging route to the border near Bucina (Buchwald).

The centre also has a roller-ski track in summer.

Cycling Route and Finsterautour

Finsterau can also be explored via specific routes outside the winter sports season. The moderately difficult Finsterautour circular cycling route is 12.6 kilometres long. It starts and ends at the Finsterau Ski and Sports Centre, passes the Finsterauer Filz and the historic Hammerklause, and then continues to Finsterau.

The surface of the Finsterautour alternates between paved sections, gravel paths and unpaved forest roads. Individual sections may be slippery in wet weather. You should therefore allow time for changing surfaces and the possible risk of slipping in wet weather when planning the cycling loop.

The Finsterau Open-Air Museum is also located directly on the National Park Cycling Route between Haidmühle and Bayerisch Eisenstein. You can reach it by car via Freyung and Mauth, by the on-call bus from Freyung, on regional bus route 605 and by the Igelbus.

Nature Experience at the Finsterauer Filz

The Wistlberg Nature Experience visitor centre near Finsterau is intended for people with disabilities, wheelchair users, families with pushchairs and visitors who are no longer able to walk easily. Access to the Finsterauer Filz begins at the accessible “Finsterauer Filz” bus stop. From there, a 250-metre-long, wide sandy path leads to the boardwalk through the Finsterauer Filz. The 250-metre-long sandy path initially leads to the boardwalk; the boardwalk itself that follows is 180 metres long.

The route through the Finsterauer Filz at the Wistlberg Nature Experience includes a boardwalk measuring 180 metres in total. A platform with information panels explains the moorland habitat and the species living there. Benches invite visitors to rest. The snowshoe loop trail follows a circular route, while at the Wistlberg Nature Experience a boardwalk leads through the Filz.

Open-Air Museum with Crafts and Exhibitions

The farmhouses at the Finsterau Open-Air Museum permanently house smaller thematic exhibitions on selected topics. In addition, festivals and markets featuring folk music, crafts and children's games are held.

For the higher-level travel overview: Mauth.