The Bavarian Forest is one of Central Europe's most unspoiled mountain regions — a sweeping, ancient woodland straddling the border between Germany and the Czech Republic. It offers something rare in modern Europe: genuine wilderness within easy reach of major cities, where dense forests, quiet ridges and mist-covered valleys invite you to slow down completely.

The landscape here is gentle yet deeply atmospheric. Broad forested ridges roll across the horizon, interspersed with river valleys carved by the Regen and Ilz. Much of the plateau sits above 1,000 metres, giving the whole region a sense of elevation without demanding technical climbing skills. The eastern part of the range forms Germany's first national park — Nationalpark Bayerischer Wald — where fallen trees are left untouched and the forest is slowly reclaiming its primeval character. Across the Czech border, it continues seamlessly into the Šumava National Park, together forming one of Europe's largest protected forest areas.

• Großer Arber (1,456 m) — the highest peak in the Bavarian Forest, reachable by cable car, with sweeping views across Germany and Czechia
• Großer Rachel (1,452 m) — a wild, forested summit ideal for a full-day hike through ancient woodland
• Nationalpark Bayerischer Wald — Germany's first national park, with visitor centres, wildlife hides and remarkable rewilded forest
• Zwiesel — a charming town famous for its centuries-old glassblowing tradition, worth a stop on any visit

• Best time: May–October for hiking; December–March for skiing around the Arber slopes
• Base towns: Zwiesel, Bodenmais, Bad Kötzting
• Trail difficulty: easy to moderate — well-marked paths suit families and casual walkers
• Getting there: by car via the A3 motorway towards Deggendorf or Straubing; by train from Munich to Zwiesel via Plattling

Fun fact: locals call their homeland simply 'Woid' and refer to themselves as 'Waidler' — a proud regional identity that has survived for generations and still defines the spirit of this corner of Bavaria.