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Where is Grafenau?
The accredited spa of Grafenau is located in the Bavarian district of Freyung-Grafenau (Germany) and is home to 8,100 people. The oldest town in the Bavarian Forest sits at Goldener Steig (Golden Path) and is the final destination of Gläserner Steig (Glass Path). The river Kleine Ohe flows along the eastern and southern periphery of the town.
Things to do in Grafenau and its neighbourhood
Grafenau is a town rich in sights:
The Town Square is a listed building and forms the centre of Grafenau. Here you also find the Old Townhall, which accommodates the administration of the national park, and the Oldest Gashouse, first mentioned in 1521. The buildings are connected via a glass tunnel.
Worth seeing are also Nepomuk statue built in 1741, Luitpoldbrunnen fountain and Säumerbrunnen fountain.
The Town Museum provides an insight into the town’s history and its historical handicraft tradition. The Museum of Farmer’s Furniture at the spa gardens comprises two farmhouses, one granary and one carriage house and shows the art of traditional furniture colouring.
The world’s only Snuff Museum at the former hospital provides details about the history and the spread snuff. One exhibit is the biggest snuff glass.
Do not miss the Celts Village Gabreta in Ringelai, Finsterau Outdoor Museum, Feng-Shui-Park in Lalling or Buchberger Leite near Freyung.
FAMILY HOLIDAYS AT THE BAVARIAN FOREST
In 2012 Grafenau was appointed the kids’ capital of Bavaria. But there is a lot to discover for the whole family:
Have fun at the Alpine coaster "Bärenbob" or the adventure outdoor swimming pool "Bärenwelle".
Family fun at KurErlebnispark "Bäreal" featuring adventure playground, miniature golf, ice rink, bear cave, kneipp facilities, and lots more. In bad weather visit the kid’s Indoor Adventure "Babalu", the little ones just love the jungle maze, the climbing tower or the wave slide.
WINTER HOLIDAYS IN GRAFENAU
Grafenau is a great place to visit in the winter. It is close to several family-friendly ski resorts featuring slopes of various degrees of difficulty, ski schools and separate ski lifts for children. Ski resorts close by are: Mitterdorf ski resort with tobogganing run and covered magic carpet, Waldhäuse ski resort especially suitable for beginners, Reichenberg terrain park, Arber ski resort and Sonnenwald ski resort at Schöfweg.
Other outdoor winter activities are winter hiking, x-country skiing, snowshoeing, tobogganing, or ice-skating.
HIKING GRAFENAU IN THE SUMMER
Grafenau region is great for hiking tours such as Ilztalweg trail leading to Brudersbrunn chapel of pilgrimage or Panoramaweg trail "Geistlicher Stein". Bärenpfad trail will be loved by the whole family.
Other great routes are: hike up 1,373m Lusen, offering a stunning view on the top, or to 1,453m "Große Rachel”.
If you think hiking is boring, try mountain biking, Nordic walking or have fun swimming in one of the lakes.
BAVARIAN FOREST NATIONAL PARK
There is a lot to discover at the national park: numerous hiking zones, the House of Wilderness, forest playground or the world’s longest tree top trail in Neuschönau.
At the open-air wildlife habitat, it is possible to watch wild animals in their natural environment. The National Park centre provides lots of insight into plants and rock formations. Steinklamm gorge starting in Spiegelau is a very romantic and fantastic destination.