Lusen National Park Centre (mostly universally accessible)
Just a stone’s throw from Neuschönau is the Lusen National Park Centre, which consists of the Hans-Eisenmann-Haus visitor centre, the animal enclosures, the botanical and geological sites and the tree top walk.
The Hans-Eisenmann-Haus visitor centre invites visitors to explore a “path through nature”. From here, largely universally accessible trails lead to the botanical and geological sites, as well as to the tree top walk and animal enclosures. The Hans-Eisenmann-Haus became the first information centre at a German national park when it opened in 1982, and it was named after the former State Minister for Food, Agriculture and Forests Dr. Hans Eisenmann (died 1987).
The animal enclosures are one of the most beautiful and enthralling visitor facilities in the entire Bavarian Forest, sprawling over a surface area of around 250 hectares (the total trail length is approximately 7 km; shorter routes available). Visitors here can see the lynx, wolf, bear, elk and many other animals which are, or once were, indigenous to the forest, with some 40 different species of birds and mammals featured across the site.
Information boards alongside the enclosures and trails also offer plenty of fascinating facts on the inhabitants of the animal enclosures as well as the National Park in general.
On 9 September 2009, the tree top walk was opened in Neuschönau, complete with its unique and memorable 44-metre tree tower.
Nestling within the Bavarian Forest National Park, the tree top walk takes visitors on a captivating journey between 8 and 25 metres above the forest floor along its 1,300-metre length. From the lower section of the tree trunks all the way up to the canopy, there is no better way to explore the marvels of life in the forest.
The huge solid wood supports and transparent rails and guards ensure full safety for all visitors while harmoniously integrating the structure into the forest.
Adventurous visitors will also find three challenging sections along the trail featuring rope bridges and wobbly platforms, trapezes and balancing bars.
Information stations dotted along the trail also provide fascinating insights for visitors. The “forest island” was built in 2015 and is an ideal place to unwind 20 metres above the forest floor.
The tree top walk climaxes on the top platform of the tree tower. Visitors are rewarded for their efforts with unparalleled views of the surrounding region! Up to Lusen and Rachel and beyond, the sea of green in the Bavarian and Bohemian Forest extends as far as the eye can see. The tree top walk is rated as largely universally accessible!
- Family-friendly
- Accessible with pushchairs
- Suitable for wheelchairs
