Luzný — known in German as Lusen — rises to 1373 m and ranks as the fifth highest peak in the Bavarian Forest. What makes it truly unforgettable is its summit: an ancient sea of granite boulders glowing lemon-yellow with map lichen, offering a sweeping 360-degree panorama that rewards every step of the climb.

The mountain sits inside the Bavarian Forest National Park, right on the German-Czech border. The forests on the way up tell a fascinating story of natural renewal — a severe bark beetle outbreak in the mid-1990s killed vast stands of old spruce, and the national park let nature take its course. Today a diverse, wild woodland has grown back in their place, considered one of the most ecologically remarkable forests in Europe. In winter the slopes come alive with sledders: the long descent from the Lusenschutzhaus mountain hut back to Waldhäuser is a beloved local tradition.

• Waldhäuser — Forsthaus Waldhausreibe (approx. 1100 m) — Summer Route (Sommerweg) via Glasarche and the Himmelsleiter stone staircase — approx. 1 hr 15 min, moderate
• Waldhäuser — Forsthaus Waldhausreibe — Winter Route (Winterweg) via Lusenschutzhaus hut — approx. 1 hr 15 min, moderate
• Fredenbrücke (approx. 850 m) — via Martinsklause, Teufelsloch and Glasarche — approx. 2 hrs, moderate
• Finsterau (Schustersäge or Oberes Reschbachtal car parks) — Lusensteig trail along the Kleiner Schwarzbach stream — approx. 2 hrs, moderate
• Mauth (Reschwasser car park, approx. 750 m) — via Steinbachklause and Tummelplatz — approx. 3 hrs, moderate

• Lusenschutzhaus mountain hut is located about 30 m below the summit — provides overnight accommodation and is open on weekends even in winter.
• The car park at Waldhausreibe has limited capacity in summer — the Igelbus shuttle service connects the trailheads throughout the season.
• Two long-distance trails cross the summit: the European E6 and the Goldsteig — Großen Rachel is reachable in 4–5 hrs along the ridge.
• The historic border crossing at Blaue Säulen (towards Czech Republic) is currently closed to hikers — opening is not expected before August 2026.
• The summit lies within a nature reserve and national park — please stay on marked trails.

Local legend says the devil himself piled up the granite boulders to guard a golden treasure buried beneath them. The summit cross, erected in 1947 by the Catholic Youth of St. Oswald and blessed in 2008 with a donated Christ figure, has looked out over this wild corner of Central Europe ever since.