Wellness Camping in the Bavarian Forest

With its health resorts, spas and beautiful natural surroundings, the Bavarian Forest National Park is a blessing for body and soul at any time of year. After activities in the best mountain air, enjoy a hydro-jet massage, floatation or bio-sauna. Relaxation sessions in climatic grottos, visits to thermal spas and numerous other spa and natural healing programmes make wellness camping in the Bavarian Forest a dream come true. Folk festivals, adventure pools with great sauna landscapes and exciting castle ruins ensure that the whole family has fun on a wellness holiday.

Top tips

• Kneipp enthusiasts are in the right place when wellness camping in the Bavarian Forest. Countless facilities for treading water await you in the spa parks of the larger towns, in many small villages and along the hiking trails. Spas and wellness centres make this natural healing method suitable for all weather conditions with indoor treading pools and Kneipp water treatments.
• Outdoor stays in the Bavarian Forest's climatic health resorts are not the only way to take a deep breath. Two healing and therapy tunnels, the Lamer Fürstenzeche and the Silberberg in Bodenmais, invite you to take a pure air cure inside the mountains. The microclimate of graduation towers and salt caves can be enjoyed in many places, for example in the Limes-Therme Bad Gögging or in the Kollnburger Salarium, a salt oasis.
• Newcomers and experts in traditional Chinese medicine can put themselves in first-class trained hands at the TCM clinic in Bad Kötzting. The first German TCM specialist clinic offers Tuina therapy, Qigong, acupuncture and moxibustion as well as nutritional counselling.

Activities and excursions

Excursions around the wellness campsite in the Bavarian Forest provide variety, combining interesting sightseeing with a visit to marvellous oases of relaxation.

Amazement and saunas in the glass town of Zwiesel

The art of glassmaking in Zwiesel dates back to 1421 and is omnipresent throughout the town today. In small glassworks and workshops as well as in the large glass manufacturers Theresienthal and Zwiesel Kristallglas, you can look over the shoulders of the masters of traditional craftsmanship and shop to your heart's content. In addition to a glass chapel and the largest crystal glass pyramid in the world, Zwiesel's attractions include the interactive forest museum, the Theresienthal museum castle and the underground corridors as well as the Bärwurzerei and the steam beer brewery. The Bayerwald sauna is a relaxing way to end the day in the brine thermal bath, with Kneipp infusions and various saunas.

Bodenmais activity and recreation centre

The climatic health resort of Bodenmais would be worth a visit for its beautiful location in the mountain scenery of the Großer Arber alone. The contrast between the gentle climate in the valley and the stimulating climate at higher altitudes also creates the best conditions for health-promoting outdoor activities. However, Bodenmais is even more famous for its Silberberg, which welcomes guests for underground climate therapy in a side gallery. The Silberbergbad opposite pampers guests with a kelo sauna, steam bath, Finnish sauna and tepidarium as well as a panoramic indoor pool. A visit to the Joska Glass Paradise is also worthwhile, where glass art becomes an experience and everyone is sure to find something exclusive to take home.

Discover the treasures of the Bavarian Forest

There is also plenty for culture vultures to visit in the middle of the forest. Castles full of character, fortresses and historic castle ruins tempt you to linger in the mountain scenery. Dreamy mill idylls and exquisite collections such as hunting, coffee pot and farmhouse furniture museums invite you to take a stroll through the region's history. The city of three rivers, Passau, delights visitors with its monasteries, prince-bishop's opera house and the magnificent St Stephen's Cathedral. The impressive Veste Oberhaus and the pilgrimage church of Mariahilf offer magnificent panoramas of the old town and the three-coloured confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers. A river cruise with dinner on the sparkling crystal ship is unforgettable.

Colourful festival programme

All year round, the Bavarian Forest invites you to join in the celebrations with folk and church festivals.

February

• Carnival: Carnival is also traditionally celebrated in the Bavarian Forest: Parades, children's carnivals and colourful balls are on the programme in the villages.

April

• Walpurgis Night: Every year on 30 April, the ruins of Hilgartsberg Castle invite visitors to a festive winter festival. A spectacular witches' dance with fireworks is held in the castle courtyard in the evening.

May

• Maypole festivals: The popular and traditional maypole festival is celebrated colourfully in many communities and towns. The lovingly decorated maypole is erected in central squares.

June - August

• Traditional festivals: Historical events enrich the summer in the Bavarian Forest. These include the 150-year-old Englmari search. A historically dressed procession moves from the village to the Kapellenberg.