The Bavarian Forest, with its neighbour the Bohemian Forest, makes up the
largest range of forested mountains in Central Europe, located in the South
East of Germany/South West of the Czech Republic. The region also
contains the largest area of protected landscape in Europe. It spite of its
beauty – and exceptionally good value for money – the area is almost
completely unknown outside Germany and provides the opportunity to
holiday in an area both unspoilt by mass tourism and also providing probably
the widest range of activities of any location in Europe.

The Bavarian Forest National Park lies directly along the border with the
Czech Republic and is the oldest and largest National Park in Germany. The
area has more than 100 mountains exceeding 1,000 metres. Many long
distance footpaths pass through the area, varying from the long distance
footpath from the Baltic to the Adriatic to old Bavarian-Bohemian trading
routes, and there are also masses of shorter paths for exploring ancient
forests and glacial lakes. Mountain biking is also popular and well provided
for – all walking and cycling routes are clearly and frequently signposted with
direction and distance. Canoing, archery, tennis, golf and mini-golf are just a
few of the other activities available. And children of all ages love the summer
toboggan runs. The area is also one of the most reliable for snow in the
region, with cold Bohemian winds to preserve the snow rather than the
warming Foehn in the Alps. The Arber mountain regularly hosts Women’s
World Cup Slalom races. As well as a range of ski runs on the Arber and in
the Czech mountains, there are hundreds of kilometres of cross country ski
trails, snowboarding, tobogganing and snow shoe walking.

Cultural activities abound in the area – every weekend in summer there are
beer and medieval enactment festivals in towns and villages in the area.
There is a rich history of glass making and forestry, small scale mining, beer
and schnaps making, cross border trading and smuggling and, as befits an
area which for centuries was the border between the Kingdom of Bavaria and
the Austro-Hungarian Empire, military conflicts. Places to visit vary from
ruined (and complete) castles to relics of the Nazi era and 2nd World War, in
both Bavaria and the Czech Republic, as well as many museums.

Major cities and other attractions in the area include UNESCO World
Heritage sites Regensburg and Cesky Krumlow, Passau and the Danube
(great for boat trips). Prague, Salzburg and Munich can all be visited in a day.

The pretty mountain village of Bayerisch Eisenstein lies directly on the
Bavarian-Bohemian border, almost exactly in the centre of the European
continent. The village is the resort for the Arber mountain and also has the
only railway station in Europe with a national border running through the
middle. Guests can stroll across the border into the Czech Republic – and
from 1st January 2008, will not even have to show their passports. The
village also has a local railway museum, tennis courts, mini golf and a sports
ground and a large children’s adventure playground. There is a supermarket
and several other shops in the village and a number of restaurants and cafes.
Train and bus links are excellent and many guests avoid using a car
completely during their stay. Tap water comes from springs in the forests on
the Arber and the air is clear and fresh.

The weather is normally warmer in summer and colder in winter than in the
UK. In common with other mountain areas in Central Europe, there is rainfall
in summer and snow in winter, but often at night rather than during the day.

Germany is also an ideal destination for families with children, as restaurants
and tourist attractions almost all make provision for children of all ages.
Entrance fees for swimming polls, adventure parks etc. are low by UK
standards.

There is a wide variety of accommodation in the village, including British owned Haus Sterr, trading as Bavarian Forest Holidays, offering 5 spacious, stylish, well equipped apartments, including 2 which were awarded 5 stars by the German Tourism Association.

How to get there

Drive here from the UK – about 10 hours driving time from Calais.

Take the train – about 11 hours travelling time from Ashford to Bayerisch
Eisenstein.

Fly to Munich or Prague and hire a car or catch the train/hire a car locally.

Fly to Linz and hire a car.