Hiking on the Goldsteig

in the Bavarian Forest National Park

wonderful hikes at Eastern Bavaria

with luggage transfer
with overnight stay at huts

Experience a hike through the Bavarian Forest National Park and thus through the largest protected forest area in Central Europe. The aim of this national park is to restore a "primeval forest for our children and grandchildren".

The course of your hiking tour:

Day 1: Arrival at Bad Kötzting

Here you receive your welcome package and travel documents
Overnight stay in Bad Kötzting

Day 2: Bad Kötzting – Berggasthof Eck

approx. 5 h., approx., 13,5 km, difference of altitude ascent/descent: 750 m/ 300 m

After your start in Bad Kötzting, follow the blue Goldsteig markings along access route 14 and hike alongside the Weißer Regen river to Spielhammer. Here you cross the river and begin the ascent to Reitenberg where you meet the main route of the Goldsteig. Following the yellow markings, you hike past the "Räuber Heigl Höhle" cave and the Kreuzfelsen rock to the Kötztinger Hütte, which is a good place to stop for refreshments after around 3.5 hours of hiking. The route continues over hill and dale to the "Rauchröhren", two imposing granite rocks and later, after rounding the Großer Riedelstein, downhill again to Berggasthof Eck.

Overnight stay at Berggasthof Eck

Day 3: Berggasthof Eck - Arberschutzhaus

approx. 6 h., approx. 16 km, difference of altitude ascent/descent: 940 m/ 330 m

Today is characterised by summit experiences up to the peak of the Großer Arber.
From Eck, you hike uphill to your first summit, the Mühlriegel, which is already over 1000 metres above sea level. You continue along a variety of larger and smaller peaks, sometimes over hill and dale, through this unspoilt home of the lynx. Finally, you reach your destination for the day, the Arberschutzhaus, near the Großer Arber.
Please note that the only refreshment stop today is the Chamer Hütte, about 1 hour before the stage finish.
Luggage transfer to Zwiesel, the luggage for the next two nights (including a towel for the Schutzhaus Falkenstein) must be taken by yourself.

Overnight stay in the Arberschutzhaus

Day 4: Arberschutzhaus – Schutzhaus Falkenstein

approx. 6,5 h., approx. 19 km, difference of altitude ascent/descent: 1125 m/ 1190 m

A special challenge awaits you today. You will have to prove your fitness in terms of both kilometres and metres in altitude.
At the beginning, you descend to the Großer Arbersee, at the eastern end of this beautifully situated mountain lake, the Arberseehaus is a great place to stop for refreshments.
Further down the valley, you reach the lowest point of today's stage at the Seebachschleife and leave the Goldsteig Trail here for a short while until you reach the Schwellhäusl beer garden. Back on the Goldsteig again. On this section, known as the Schwellsteig, you hike along a stream until you finally ascend again through the Mittelsteighütte primeval forest and past the Ruckowitzberg to today's destination, the Schutzhaus Falkenstein.

Overnight stay at the Schutzhaus Falkenstein

Day 5: Schutzhaus Falkenstein - Zwiesel

approx. 6,5 h., approx 21,5 km, difference of altitude ascent/descent: 180 m/ 885 m

On this stage, you can expect many kilometres as well as wonderful heaths and idyllic little villages.

First, follow the signs for Rachel to the Scheuereckberg. Continuing over a wonderful heath and finally a gravel road, you come to a striking crossroads where you leave the Goldsteig for the first time to reach the small village of Spiegelhütte. The route now continues southwards through forests to Oberzwieslau Castle and finally to the end of today's stage in Zwiesel.

Overnight stay in Zwiesel

Day 6: Zwiesel – Viechtach – Bad Kötzting

approx. 3,5 h., approx. 12,5 km, difference of altitude ascent/descent: 290 m/ 290 m

After the long stages of the last two days, this final stage invites you to enjoy and stroll.

First you take the forest railway from Zwiesel to Viechtach (with a change in Gotteszell) and hike northwards from there along the river "Schwarzer Regen". Along small forests and meadows you reach your starting point in Bad Kötzting.

Overnight stay in Bad Kötzting

Day 7: Individual departure

or additional nights

General information:

During the tour you will be in alpine terrain for the most part. Appropriate hiking equipment as well as stamina and surefootedness are therefore a prerequisite. The necessary equipment includes Mountain boots, functional clothing, rucksack, water and food, rain and sun protection, warm clothing according to the season (even in summer it can get cold), hat, gloves, first aid kit, mobile phone, possibly hiking poles, etc. Although the paths are well signposted, it is essential to carry maps with you.

The composition of the paths ranges from tarmac roads to narrow little footpaths and sometimes stony and rooted ground.

Arrangement

overnight stays with breakfast
(4 x inns/hotels, 2 x huts, towel required at the Schutzhaus Falkenstein)

luggage transfer (no luggage transfer to Arberschutzhaus and Schutzhaus Falkenstein possible) - max. 2 pieces/person and max. 25 kg/suitcase

welcome video with explanations and information you need for this tour

train journey from Zwiesel to Viechtach

detailed route description and maps

Service hotline daily from 8.00 - 18.00 o’clock (also on weekends)

Rates per person and arrangement in €:

	01.06. – 15.10.25
***hotels/inns in double room	738,00
Supplement single room	125,00
Supplement for single travellers	140,00
Additional nights	on request
Day of arrival	Monday, Wednesday and Thursday

The local tax, also known as visitor's tax, is payable locally to the landlord; the amount depends on the resort and is between 1,00€ and 4,00€ per person per night. Children up to the age of 15 are usually exempt.

Accommodation:
Twin-bedded rooms in Austrian resorts are normally one large base with two mattresses/duvets. These are also known as 'Austrian Twins' and are regarded as two beds. Separate twin beds are rare and cannot be guaranteed as available.
Location of the accommodation are mainly close to the trails.

Information for arrivals by car:
The parking place does not always situate next to the accommodation but on a public parking place. (Possibly costs have to be paid on spot)

The standard terms and conditions of the Salzkammergut Touristik GmbH apply in the current version.

Rates and operating hours / timetables are subject to change

Our recommendations:
Get a travel cancellation insurance.