Things to do in Bavaria, Germany: The Best National Parks

Germany's only Alpine National Park Lofty, wild and majestic, "King" Watzmann (2713m) reigns over the Berchtesgadener Land as he surveys his kingdom: Berchtesgaden National Park. High mountains, deep valleys and crystal-clear alpine streams define this protected area bordering Austria. "Allow nature to remain in its natural state" is the motto of Germany’s only Alpine National Park. Berchtesgaden National Park is located in the southeast of Germany, in Bavaria and adjoining the Austrian Salzburg region. Founded in 1978, the park includes an area of 210 square kilometres and is owned by the federal state of Bavaria. In addition, the park is the core and buffer zone of the biosphere reserve Berchtesgadener Land.

Entlang der bayerisch tschechischen Grenze erstreckt sich zwischen Bayerisch Eisenstein im Landkreis Regen und Mauth im Landkreis Freyung-Grafenau der Nationalpark Bayerischer Wald. Am 7. Oktober 1970 wurde das Großschutzgebiet als erster Nationalparks Deutschlands eröffnet. Zusammen mit dem Nachbar-Nationalpark Šumava in Tschechien bildet er das größte zusammenhängende Waldschutzgebiet Mitteleuropas. Auf mehr als 24 000 Hektar gilt im Bayerischen Wald der Leitsatz „Natur Natur sein lassen“.Mit den Nationalparkzentren Lusen bei Neuschönau und Falkenstein bei Ludwigsthal bietet der Nationalpark Bayerischer Wald allen Besuchern einen spannenden Start in das Schutzgebiet. An beiden Orten lädt ein Informationsgebäude zum Erkunden ein. Außerdem ist jedem Nationalparkzentrum ein Tier-Freigelände angeschlossen, das einen Einblick in die ursprüngliche Tierwelt des Bayerwaldes gibt. Darüber hinaus bietet das Waldgeschichtliche Museum St. Oswald einen interessanten Einblick.

Animal enclosures at Lusen National Park Centre in Neuschönau The lynx, Ural owl, wolf, European bison, otter, bear and capercaillie – all of these animals are indigenous to the Bavarian Forest, and while many still thrive in our forests, some have unfortunately disappeared. Our animal enclosures give you the chance to experience all these animals first hand. Set within an emerging wild woodland environment, the 200-hectare site is home to some 40 different species of mammals and birds. The animals are housed in large enclosures and aviaries designed to be as close to their natural habitat as possible, with enough space for our animal residents to withdraw from the public gaze whenever they choose. The best way to explore the enclosures is on the seve

The HAUS ZUR WILDNIS forms the focal point of Falkenstein National Park Centre. The building’s unique architectural design is fascinating in its own right, though it can’t quite steal the show from the centre’s stunning views of the 1,315-metre Großer Falkenstein. In the moment there are several different exhibitions in the building, while the main exibition is replanned. The centre’s root gallery is a particularly memorable experience, where you can stroll through the layers of soil under the ground, getting to know the small creatures that populate the subterranean world as you go. Kids are guided by Schratzl, our loveable mascot, as he leads the way between the centre’s interactive exhibits and play stations. In addition to the popular lynx and wolves, the animal enclosures are also home to two less well-known former inhabitants of the Bavarian Forest: wild horses and aurochs. While wild horses populated the steppe landscape here after the last ice age, aurochs inhabited the forest