Hiking with Kids in the Bavarian Forest: Best Routes
Hiking with kids in the Bavarian Forest: the best routes from Waldmünchen. Perlsee loop, nature trails and tips by age group.
Hiking with Kids in the Bavarian Forest: The Best Routes from Waldmünchen
The Bavarian Forest is made for hiking with the whole family. Around Waldmünchen you'll find paths that work even with short legs. Whether a buggy tour around Perlsee or a first proper summit hike with the older kids: here come our tried and tested route tips.
The Perlsee loop: perfect to get started
Just one kilometre from the Sonnenhotel Bayerischer Hof lies Perlsee. The loop around the lake is 7 kilometres long, but can be shortened via a cut-through to 4 kilometres. The path is paved and asphalted throughout, so a pram or buggy is no problem.
What makes the Perlsee loop special
- Playground right by the lake with climbing frame and swings
- A water wheel that gets the little ones marvelling
- A wooden footbridge over the water that delights kids every time
- Flat shore areas for skimming stones and splashing in summer
Allow about an hour for the short loop, two to two and a half hours for the long one. With a playground stop and feeding the ducks, gladly longer.
Tip: Best start at the south-shore car park. From there you reach the playground in a few minutes and have a highlight for the kids right at the start.
Naturpark Oberer Bayerischer Wald: themed and nature trails
The Naturpark Oberer Bayerischer Wald begins right on the doorstep. Here there's a whole network of family-friendly trails with different difficulty levels.
Recommended routes by age group
Children 0 to 3 years (in buggy or carrier):
- Perlsee loop short (4 km, flat, asphalted)
- Lake-shore path at Perlsee to the playground and back (2 km)
- Forest learning trail Waldmünchen (3 km, wide forest tracks)
Children 4 to 6 years:
- Perlsee full loop (7 km, doable with breaks)
- Herzogau loop (5 km, gentle ascents, pastures with cows)
- Nature experience trail Ast (4.5 km, interactive hands-on stations)
Children 7 to 12 years:
- Cerchov border trail (8 km, German-Czech border, viewing tower as goal)
- Gibacht loop (9 km, rock formations and castle ruin)
- Schwarzwihrberg with Schwarzenburg ruin (6 km, rocky climb, reward at the top)
The Bavarian Forest National Park
Around 90 kilometres away lies the Bavarian Forest National Park. The drive is worth it especially for a full day. There you'll find themed hiking paths and nature experience trails specially laid out for families. The wildlife enclosure with lynx, wolf and bear is an absolute highlight and combines beautifully with a hike.
More on excursions and activities in the region in our Bavarian Forest Guide.
The right gear: what to bring?
So the hike stays relaxed for everyone, here's a practical packing list:
Always with you
- Sturdy shoes with profile (also for the little ones, no sandals)
- Rain jackets for everyone, even in sunshine. Bavarian Forest weather changes quickly
- Sun protection: hat, sunscreen, also in spring and autumn
- Water: at least 0.5 litres per person, more in heat
- First-aid kit with plasters and tick remover
- Change of clothes for the kids (puddles are magnetic)
Practical extras
- Binoculars for animal watching
- Small magnifying jar for beetles and leaves
- Pocketknife for whittling (for the parents)
- Rubbish bag (Leave no trace)
Good news: Since All Inclusive is included at the Sonnenhotel Bayerischer Hof, you don't have to think about provisions. Have a hearty breakfast before you set off and simply come back for lunch or afternoon cake. That saves you lugging packed lunches.
7 tips to make the hike a success
- Plan short stages. For children under 6, reckon with a maximum of one kilometre per year of age as a daily distance.
- Goal instead of distance. A playground, a stream, a castle ruin as a concrete goal motivates more than "we're hiking 5 kilometres now".
- Take breaks seriously. Every 30 to 45 minutes a short rest. Children need stops more than adults.
- Start in the morning. In summer set off before 10 am, then it's still pleasantly cool and the paths are empty.
- Allow collecting. Stones, sticks, leaves, cones. Nature is the best playground, give the kids time to discover.
- Check the weather. The German Weather Service's mountain weather app is more reliable than standard weather apps.
- Don't be too ambitious. Better a shorter loop in good spirits than a long march with tears.
Our insider tip: the evening loop at Perlsee
After dinner take another short loop at Perlsee. In summer it's light until 9 pm, the mood by the water is loveliest in the evening, and the kids fall asleep right after. The 2 kilometres from hotel to lake and back are doable even for tired legs.
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Up for family hiking in the Bavarian Forest?
The Bavarian Forest around Waldmünchen offers hiking trails for every age and fitness level. From the flat Perlsee loop to the summit tour at Cerchov, there's something for everyone. And after hiking, the All Inclusive programme awaits at the Sonnenhotel Bayerischer Hof.