Bavaria
Land of Beautiful Outdoor Adventures
Land of Beautiful Outdoor Adventures
When Traveling in Bavaria, be sure to experience the natural beauty of It's mountains, water and forests. An outdoor adventure exploring the mountains, lakes, rivers and forests will make your Germany vacation even more special.
Bavaria Land and Geology
Bavaria is the largest of Germany’s 16 Bundeslander (Federal States). It covers 70,552 sq km in southeastern Germany. Over half Bavaria’s population of 12 million live in towns and cities. Bavaria's capital, Munich, sits on a plateau between the Donau (Danube) and the Bayerishe Alpen (Bavarian Alps) and is Germany’s third largest city.
Geologically, Bavaria land base contains granite and laminated quartz, feldspar, and mica. Sandstone underlies the northern area of Bavaria, where the stone houses built by the people of Frankish decent contrast with the half-timbered homes in other areas.
In the limestone region east of Nuremburg, the Altmuhl Valley is pitted with underground caves, including the 1,200-m long Maximiliangrotte near Burg Veldenstein.
With the combination of the Bavarian Alps, lots of winter snow melting in the spring, and lush, dense forests, the land of Bavaria offers some breathtaking views and exciting outdoor experiences.
One of my favorite outdoor day trips when traveling in Bavaria, is hiking along the Partnachklamm.
The Partnachklamm is a gorge on the outskirts of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and been named a "Natural Monument". Each visit to the Partnachklamm is a new experience, depending on the season and the weather. But no matter the time of year, the gorge is amazing!
Mountains
Bavaria’s southern border is sheltered by the Central Alps which include Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze (2,963 m), the Hochwanner (2,746 m) in the western part of Bavaria, and the Watzmann (2,713 m), in the east near Berchtesgaden.
The Bavarian Alps retain snow for half the year, as do the lesser mountains of northeastern Bavaria. The summers are warm and the vine-clad valley of the lower Main is very mild, but cold weather returns in the winter.
Water
Although Bavaria land locked, there are plenty of opportunities for water sports and enjoying the beauty of the many clear alpine lakes and long, winding rivers.
Two major rivers, the Danube and the Main, cross the Bavaria land scape, linked by the Rhein-Main-Donau Canal. Bavaria has many large, beautiful lakes. Among the largest are the Chiemsee (82sq.km) and the Starnberger See (21 km long, up to 5km wide and 123m at its deepest).
Bavaria also includes the eastern shores of the Bodensee (Lake Constance), central Europe’s third largest lake (76km by 14km), which is fed by the River Rhine and lies on the borders of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Among smaller lakes is the narrow Konigsee, set within the Berchtesgaden National Park.
In the warmer months be sure to pack your swimming suits; many lakes in Bavaria welcome swimmers!
Forests
You will also have lots of opportunities to get outdoors and experience the beautiful nature of the Bavarian forests. Be sure to set aside some time to hike through some of the well marked and tended hiking trails.
More than 30% of Bavaria's landscape is forested. Tracts of spruce, mixed with beech and silver fir, cover the slopes of the Alps. Similar woodlands cover the low mountain ranges of the Bayerischer Wald (Bavarian Forest) in the east. Together, with the adjoining National park Bohmerwald (Bohemian Forest) in the Czech Republic, the forest parks of the Bavarian Forest form the largest forested region in Europe.
The Bavarian Forest is divided by the Pfahl, a quartz ridge varying in height from 20m to 30m, that follows the Regen Valley. Northeast of this ridge is the highest peak in the Bavarian Forest, the 1,456 m Grosser Arber. The 63,000 hectares of deciduous trees of oak and beech in the Spessart Forest of Franconia contrast with the conifers that make up the rest of Bavaria’s woodland.
Easy and Fun Outdoor Adventure for Everyone
One of my favorite activities to enjoy the beauty of the nature in Bavaria while experiencing the Bavarian culture, is to partake in a Volksmarch.
A volksmarch is an organized hike or walk which usually covers a distance of 10 or 20 kilometers (6.2 or 12.4 miles).
The trails are well-marked, refreshments are provided at checkpoints, and you even get a medal or other prize when you finish!
The volksmarch trail usually begins in a village or at an historic or scenic area. The trail then winds though the surrounding hills or forested area. It is designed to appeal to everyone and it is not a contest of speed or endurance.
Not only is Volksmarching, good exercise, it is also a fun family activity, and provides an opportunity to experience the Bavarian culture and make new friends from all over.
Once you arrive back at the finish line, you can then sit and relax with a beer and recharge with some great Bavarian food.
Don't pass up the chance to experience the beauty of natural Bavaria-land, water and forests!
Leave Bavaria land and Return to Where is Bavaria Page
Return to Passion of Bavaria Home Page
